An impressive list of key speakers have been announced for the first of next year's biomedical and bioresearch conferences on ME/CFS which wlll take place at Southampton General Hospital on February 12. It is being organised by Hampshire Solutions – an alliance for promoting research into ME/CFS and fibromyalgia.

The conference will be co-chaired by Stephen Holgate, professor of clinical pharmacology at Southampton University, and David Peters, first professor of integrated health care at Westminster University.

Speakers include:

• Martin Pall, professor of biochemistry – basic medical science at Washington State University (Converging mechanisms in the pathogenesis of ME/CFS and related conditions)
• Dr Jonathan Kerr, senior lecturer, St George's Hospital, London (New insights into ME – gene expression)
• Dr Russell Lane, consultant neurologist, Charing Cross Hospital, London (Peripheral components of ME – mitochondrial malfunction)
• Dr Byron Hyde, founder of the Nightingale Foundation, Canada (an understanding of ME/CFS through 20 years of clinical experience)
• Dr Estabiliz Olano-Martin, Bilbao, Spain (Genetic profiles in aggressive forms of ME and Fibromyalgia)
• Malcolm Hooper, professor of medicinal chemistry, Sunderland University (multiple chemical sensitivity)
• Dr Abhijit Chaudhuri, consultant neurologist at Queen's Hospital, Romford, Essex/Dr Federico Roncaroli (a view of the neuropathology of ME/CFS)
• Hugh Perry, professor of experimental neuropathy, Southampton University (Systemic Inflammation of the brain)

GPs and healthcare professionals £50, academics and interested lay people £35, patients and carers £20, students free.

For booking form, contact Fiona at The Point of Health, 106 Winchester Road, Chandler's Ford, Eastleigh, Hants SO53 2GJ, tel: 023 8026 0227. Registration form and appropriate fee to be returned by Friday 18 January 2008. Please make cheques payable to Alliance for FM,ME/CFS (Hampshire Solutions).