2nd Round of Abstract Submissions Starts Early for FUS Symposium

Early start announced for second round of abstract submissions for 2nd International Symposium on MR-guided Focused Ultrasound

Supplemental submission track will run from August 23-September 6, 2010

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., Aug. 20 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Due to overwhelming response from researchers, a second round of abstract submissions for the upcoming 2nd International Symposium on MR-guided Focused Ultrasound will open on Monday, August 23, 2010, nine days earlier than previously announced. The submission deadline will be moved forward to Monday, September 6, 2010.

This second and final phase of abstract submissions will accommodate: 1) down-to-the-wire late-breaking research in MR-guided focused ultrasound; 2) applicants for Young Investigator Awards; and, 3) researchers who missed the first abstract submission deadline.

"We received nearly 100 abstracts during the first round of submissions, which is unprecedented and indicates the tremendous amount of game-changing research that is in progress," explains Joy Polefone, Ph.D., secretary of the symposium's Scientific Review Committee. "We're moving up the second round schedule to maximize the time available for abstract review and for notifying researchers whose work is accepted for oral or poster presentation at the symposium."

She added, "The MR-guided focused ultrasound community is in its start-up phase and rapidly building momentum. We want to spotlight as much of the latest and most notable research as possible during the symposium."

Polefone said that abstracts selected during the second round of submissions will be published in a supplemental booklet rather than in the main symposium program.

Hosted by the Focused Ultrasound Surgery Foundation, the symposium is scheduled for October 17-20 in the Washington, D.C. area. The landmark event will spotlight leading edge preclinical, translational and clinical research related to MR-guided focused ultrasound, one of today's most promising and innovative therapeutic technologies.

To be eligible for consideration, abstracts must address research projects on MR-guided focused ultrasound. Research categories include, but are not limited to:

Abstracts should be submitted online at http://www.meetingassistant2.com/FUSF2010/.

Complete information about the 2nd International Symposium on MR-guided Focused Ultrasound and the Young Investigator Awards can be found on the Focused Ultrasound Surgery Foundation's website: http://www.fusfoundation.org/Symposium

Reporters interested in covering the symposium should contact: Ellen C. McKenna, 434-220-4993, ext. 207, [email protected]

About the Focused Ultrasound Surgery Foundation

Founded in 2006 and based in Charlottesville, Virginia, the Focused Ultrasound Surgery Foundation is dedicated to accelerating research and development of patient treatments using one of today's most revolutionary and promising medical technologies: noninvasive Magnetic Resonance-Guided Focused Ultrasound (FUS). The Foundation's work is motivated by the belief that FUS treatments could become the ultimate in noninvasive surgery, serve as a viable alternative to radiation therapy and offer a new platform for precise drug delivery - applications with the potential to alleviate suffering, save lives and quicken recovery times for millions of patients worldwide.

By promoting communication, collaboration and coordination, the Foundation has become a vital nexus for researchers, clinicians, manufacturers, philanthropists and other stakeholders in the FUS arena. The Foundation is funding translational and clinical research, providing fellowships for training physicians and scientists, hosting symposia and workshops, maintaining online informational resources and establishing FUS Centers of Excellence. Complete information about the Foundation and its work can be found at http://fusfoundation.org

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SOURCE Focused Ultrasound Surgery Foundation