The first part will address "Clinical Gene Transfer and Therapy: state of the art". PIs of trials will present latest clinical data. In addition, the CliniGene platform leaders will report on the outcome and integration of various technologies: in fact, while encompassing a broad range of gene transfer systems and their potential applications, the CliniGene-NoE has established intensive networking which crosses the boundaries between the diversity of technology-platforms including AAV, AdV, RV, LV, GM-cells, non-viral, emerging technologies and a human iPS platform. In addition, invited speakers will address key topics: Jude Samulski, AAV technology, Kathy High, how AAV in vivo immunotoxicology can be counteracted; Matthew Weizman, interaction between gene transfer and DNA repair; Mario Capecchi (2007 Nobel Prize) will give a keynote lecture on homologous recombination and Inder Verma on the use of integrating vectors on normal and cancer stem cells to model diseases and address their treatment.

A main ethics and regulatory round table will follow articulating the Clinical Gene Transfer part with the human induced pluripotent stem cells, eCHiPS meeting; this round table will involve the European centralised regulatory body, EMA-CAT together with FDA and patients' organisations, Ethics scholars and Committees.

The eCHiPS part - European Conference on Human iPS is organised jointly with several EU-networks harbouring strong interest in human iPS. The aim is to offer an open forum to all teams involved in this extremely active and competitive new field, which could benefit from interactions, discussions and collaborations at the European level. This conference will gather specialists with expertise in various aspects, such as: reprogramming techniques, iPS markers, quality controls, industrial production, GMP constraints, clinical perspectives, predictive toxicology and high throughput screening, standardization and regulation among others. The goal of this pivotal meeting is to promote a broader European collective action on iPS cells and coordination of teams involved, confirming the EU activity in this field besides USA and Japan.

These joint events will take place on April 7-8 (first part) and April 8-9 (e-CHiPS) at the Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle in Paris. The programme and the on-line registration are available on the dedicated page of the CliniGene website.