According to the World Health Organization, over 25% of new tuberculosis cases in some subnational regions are multi-drug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) and, as of March 2010, 58 countries had reported XDR-TB (TB resistant to the major classes of both first- and second-line drugs). The Keystone Symposia meeting on Drug Resistance and Persistence in Tuberculosis aims to bring together basic and clinical researchers and public health experts from diverse backgrounds to explore the following: 1) the fundamental biology underlying genetic and phenotypic drug-resistance in TB; 2) progress in expanding capacity in high-burden settings to perform drug susceptibility testing; 3) identification of novel drug targets; 4) innovative strategies for drug discovery; and 5) advances in developing multi-drug regimens that will be effective against currently drug-resistant as well as drug-sensitive strains of M. tuberculosis. Investigators from outside the TB field will be included to provide new perspectives and stimulate fresh approaches for tackling this global public health priority.

Other deadlines: Global Health Travel Award - December 13, 2011 Abstract & scholarship - January 13, 2012 Late-breaking abstract - February 14, 2012