16 Jan 2006

Natural Solutions to Today's Medical Problems - Public Forum at UCC, 24 January

Why do three million children (one every 10 seconds), still die from diarrohea each year, why are so many bacteria resistant to antibiotics and how has the discovery of one of them - Helicobacter pylori - helped to cure gastric ulcers? These are just some of the questions that will be answered on Tuesday, 24 January next, during a Public Forum organised by the Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre (APC) based at UCC. The Forum, which will be chaired by Professor Fergus Shanahan, Director of the APC and Consultant Gastroenterologist, Cork University Hospital will take place in UCC's new Brookfield Health Sciences Complex, College Road from 7.30-9.00 pm. Members of the public are invited to attend and admission is free.

As well as short presentations from Professor Shanahan and other renowned researchers, the Forum will feature an expert panel discussion with audience participation.  Other topics will include the pioneering work of the APC in the area of bowel disorders such as IBS (a condition which affects up to 20% of the population in developed economies) and the ever expanding area of functional foods - where foods do more than simply meet our nutritional needs.

Developing effective therapies for medical problems such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), food poisoning, gastric ulcers and the role of gut physiology in mental health are all research themes at the APC, a partnership between University College Cork and Teagasc.  The APC is a multi-million euro government-funded Research Centre focusing on gastrointestinal health. and also investigating the link between diet and well-being.  In addition to scientific research, the APC also has a mission to inform society of the problems and progress in this vitally important health area.

The Forum, Natural Solutions to Today's  Medical Problems, will take place on Tuesday, 24 January from 7.30pm-9pm in UCC's new Brookfield Health Sciences Complex, College Road, Cork.  


169MMcS