We are proud to announce the first international summit on the future of quantitative and functional lung imaging, which will be held in Coralville/Iowa City, October 2-4, 2008. This meeting combines a series of meetings held at the University of Pennsylvania as well as the groups that organized the international workshop on pulmonary functional imaging and extends the topic into fields not covered previously.

The role of integrating pulmonary functional imaging and morphological imaging is at a cross roads for clinical practice and pathophysiological study. Thus, a kaleidoscope of imaging modalities have developed, ranging from invasive methods (including bronschoscopy) to techniques using ionizing radiation (CT), nuclear and molecular imaging methods (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging. Furthermore, novel animal models as well as increasing study of normal and diseased human subjects have resulted in renewed interest for clinical applications as well as the study of treatment effects or image-guided therapies. The scientific program will include a multidisciplinary group of plenary speakers as well as a wide array of scientists to aid in the discussion of the broad field now involved in the study of lung function and structure.

At the last workshops held in Philadelphia and Heidelberg in 2006, a total of 200-250 participants were registered. We are confident that a similar or greater number of participants will be seen in Iowa to take place in this meeting, which intends to set out the aims for further study and which hopes to help in developing new collaborations and decisions on a road map for the study of the lung in health and disease.

The University of Iowa’s Comprehensive Lung Imaging Center (I-CLIC) has developed from a simple imaging core into a truly multidisciplinary group of scientists, including image acquisition, modeling, image processing, preclinical and clinical studies of the lung. This has led to a dedicated environment to perform studies to assess physiology, pathophysiology and the effects of interventions, including dedicated state-of-the-art CT and MRI equipment and physiological control and measurement systems. It is the intention that participants will be able to view the various parts of the participating laboratories to gain a first-hand glimpse of this work environment.

The meeting will provide an excellent opportunity for industry and academicians to mix and discuss mutual interest. The conference location offers state-of-the-art IT, dedicated break-out rooms and excellent hotel facilities under one roof. Social events will include welcome reception at the oldest state capitol west of the Mississippi, a conference dinner/party and opportunity for visits to sites of local history, including the Amana Colonies and Kalona.