Lysosomal Storage Diseases - Life, Work, Research

It is with the greatest of pleasure that we extend this invitation to you to participate in the symposium Life, Work, Research in honour of Professor Michael Beck.

Michael Beck has worked at the Children’s Hospital of the University Medicine Mainz since 1983. During his active years his much-valued advice on and treatment of lysosomal storage diseases expanded continuously and a large centre for lysosomal storage diseases named the “Villa metabolica” was established. Attracted by his outstanding reputation with regard to such rare and neglected diseases, patients and families came to Mainz from all over Germany as well as from the international community. The philosophy of his relationship to patients and his grasp of the different contingent groups of rare diseases served to intensify his personal commitment to every individual patient.

Studies of the case histories of patients with rare diseases were the basis on which he advanced to further more extensive research. He introduced different strategies for the therapy of lysosomal storage disorders, such as enzyme replacement therapy, substrate reduction therapy and chaperone therapy. Thanks to his input and effort in studies of lysosomal storage diseases, he was able to provide and optimize therapy for patients with metabolic diseases, such as Gaucher disease, Fabry disease and different types of Mucopolysacharidosis.

We are proud to announce this symposium with many international speakers, all of whom will be attending in honour of Professor Michael Beck.

Fred Zepp