Welcome address from the organisers

With respiratory diseases as the third leading cause of death in the western world, the ERS recognises that the key to developing new treatments and improving current therapies is to encourage scientific discovery.The 2009 ERS Lung Science Conference will focus on cell proliferation, differentiation and carcinogenesis. This conference is part of the mission of the ERS to improve healthcare and education in respiratory medicine.The ERS Lung Science Conference lasts 2.5 days with state-of-the-art presentations by leading experts in clinical and basic science. The workshop format also provides considerable time for discussion in order to facilitate the free exchange of ideas. As usual we will cultivate the friendly atmosphere that makes the Lung Science Conference so special, with ample time for discussion and presentations from all participants.

The success of the yearly ERS Lung Science Conference depends on the creation of the right dialogue between young European post-doctoral scientists and established investigators. Participant numbers will be limited to 150 and a selection process is used to ensure that the very best are chosen in order to maintain the very highest quality of research.

We look forward to seeing you at the Seventh Annual ERS Lung Science Conference, where you can expect outstanding science, new friendships and a renewed impetus and enthusiasm for research in pulmonary medicine.

Geoff Laurent (GB) Lung Science Conference Chair

Sam Janes (GB) Scientific Programme Coordinator	Barry R. Stripp (US) Scientific Programme Coordinator	Alvar Agusti (ES) Scientific Programme Coordinator