Andrew Blann PhD FRCPath (a.blann@bham.ac.uk) is a Consultant Clinical Scientist and Honorary Senior Lecturer in the University Department of Medicine at City Hospital, Birmingham, UK, where he is Laboratory Director for the Haemostasis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology Unit, which is equipped for flow cytometry, tissue culture, general biochemistry, and ELISA. He is a board-certified Haematologist and also has a qualification in statistics. Clinical interests include the pathogenesis and treatment of haemorrhage and thrombophilia, e.g. with anti-coagulants and anti-thrombotics.

Prof. Françoise Dignat-George MD (dignat@pharmacie.univ-mrs.fr) Is a Professor of Immunology in the University of Pharmacie of Marseille (FRANCE) and the director of the Laboratory of Hematology of the Conception Hospital. She is head of an INSERM research Unit (U608) on the “Physiopathology of the Endothelium” with 4 scientists, 13 medical doctors with scientist functions, 5 technicians, two post docs and a number of medical students. Technics available in the lab include flow cytometry, general biochemistry, cellular and molecular biology, transcriptome analysis, cell culture, experimental ischemia in small animal, and a plateform of cell therapy unit.The reseach of this team is focused on endothelial biomarkers detectable in peripheral blood (Circulating endothelial cells, and their, progenitors, microparticles) allowing to evaluate in a non invasive way vascular lesion/ regeneration processes. The clinical interests are autoimmune and inflammatory disorders, ischemic disorders, kidney failure and transplantation, obstetrical diseases. This group has identifyed a new molecule involved in the biology of the endothelial junction called CD146, expressed by circulating endothelial cells and detectable as a soluble form (sCD146) in human peripheral blood.

Prof. Marion Haubitz MD (haubitz.marion@mh-hannover.de) is a consultant nephrologist in the Division of Nephrology at Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany. Her research interests include ANCA-associated small-vessel vasculitis, vascular biology, renal disease and transplantation. Dr Haubitz is head of a research group with one scientist, two medical doctors, two technicians and a number of medical students. The group received funding from the German Research Foundation (DFG) and other sources. Dr Haubitz has published several publications on a variety of subjects (link).

Alexander Woywodt MRCP FASN (Alex.Woywodt@lthtr.nhs.uk) trained in the Division of Nephrology at Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany. His research interests include vascular damage in ANCA-associated small-vessel vasculitis, renal disease and transplantation. Dr Woywodt was a scientist in the group of Dr. Haubitz until 6/2007. He has published several publications on this subject (click here for a complete list). In June 2007 Dr Woywodt became a consultant renal physician with Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Preston, UK. For a comprehensive CV click here.