Monrovia, CA -- (SBWire) -- 06/20/2011 --Nigel McMillan, Principal Research Fellow and Deputy Director, University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, will give a featured presentation titled “RNAi Therapy and the Immune system – A Good Thing?” at GTC’s 2nd RNAi Research & Therapeutics Conference on July 7-8, 2011 in San Francisco, CA.

Dr. McMillan will discuss how RNA Interference holds great promise as a therapy for cancers and viral infections via its ability to directly kill cells via down-regulation of critical target genes. We now have siRNAs that work in the pM range and much of the current clinical trial efforts are targeting towards diseases that benefit from direct introduction of siRNA eg AMD via intraocular injection. He will describe technologies to deliver to alternative sites such as tumours (stealth lipoplexes), the ano-genital mucosa (the PLAS system) and skin (nanoneedles).

GTC’s RNAi conference will also have keynote presenter, Cy Stein of Einstein-Montefiore Medical Center. This event will bring together industry leaders from major pharmaceutical companies, cutting-edge biotech companies as well as top researchers from academia and government to present innovative and relevant applications of current RNAi therapeutics to continually improve efficacy and meaningful data output in drug discovery and development.

GTC’s 2nd RNAi Research & Therapeutics Conference will provide cutting edge information and a chance to exchange ideas from leading experts in the field. For more information, please visit: http://www.gtcbio.com/component/conference/?file=home&cn=2nd+RNAi+Research&cid=32.