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| Irish Thoracic Society Annual Scientific Meeting 2011 |
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The Alpha One Foundation had a stand at the Irish Thoracic Society Annual Scientific Meeting on Friday and Saturday. This meeting is attended by Nurses, Scientists, Doctors and Consultants who have an interest in the lungs and lung disease. There were 12 scientific posters and one talk about Alpha-1 . Congratulations to our CEO Kitty O'Connor who came second in the Best Poster presented by a Respiratory Nurse as judged by ÁNAIL. Congratulations also to Rebecca Wolfe who received the award for Best Poster. Her poster was entitled: Alpha-1 Antitrypsin: A Novel TNF-Alpha Blocker? |
Alpha-1 Antitrypsin is an important protein produced by the liver, which is released into the bloodstream and travels to the lungs. Once inside the lungs it provides protection from the destructive effects of infections and harmful irritants, particularly tobacco smoke.
Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (Alpha-1) is a genetic condition which, along with cystic fibrosis, is the commonest genetic lung disease in Ireland. It severely affects more than 2,000 people nationally, with another 10,000 individuals also at risk of lung and liver disease. It is the only proven genetic risk factor for COPD.