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The concept to set up the
Autoantibody Network (AAN) was generated in 2004 by Dr. Mario D’Costa, Margurate
Zeale, and Dr. Donglai Ma. The initial purpose was to promote regular
communications among clinical autoimmunity diagnostic laboratories. Workshops
and newsletters played a major role at that stage. Eventually, demands for the
conference became inevitable. The annual conference started in 2005.
Four
subsequent annual conferences have been held in London (Ontario), Fredericton
(New Brunswick), Ottawa (Ontario)
and Vancouver (British Columbia), respectively.
The 5th Conference
of the Autoantibody Network will be held in
Toronto, Ontario on
September 17th and 18th, 2009.
AAN is progressing well and playing an important role in the autoantibody
diagnostics field. Its development is well beyond the original scope.
Professionals working in both clinical settings and research fields are
enthusiastically involved in the AAN activities. The platforms for the AAN now
include regular workshops, newsletters, specific work groups, annual
conferences, and this newly launched AAN website.