More than 16,000 of the world's leading clinicians and researchers in the field of thoracic medicine and respiratory disease will come together in Toronto next week to discuss the latest findings and high-profile issues connected with respiratory, critical care and sleep disorders.

Hailing from more than 90 countries, this prestigious group will be attending ATS 2008, to be held May 16 to 21 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC).

Presented by the American Thoracic Society (ATS), the event is the world's premier international conference and scientific forum for this specialty and represents one of the largest gatherings of pulmonary and critical care clinicians and researchers in the world.

The American Thoracic Society is the world's leading medical association dedicated to advancing

pulmonary, critical care and sleep medicine.

"A major strength of our International Conference is the ability of clinicians and researchers to interact and to exchange ideas. This year's event in Toronto will feature information on the latest and most significant developments in clinical practice, in research (clinical, basic and translational), health advocacy and education," said David H. Ingbar, MD, President of the American Thoracic Society.

The Conference will feature more than 5,600 podium and poster presentations, covering the clinical and basic science discoveries that are changing medicine's understanding and treatment of patients.

A Canadian highlight will be Toronto Science 2008, a special research symposium that will take place on Monday, May 19, from 8:15 to 11 a.m. Led by Joel Moss, M.D., of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, and Arnold Kristof, M.D., of McGill University Hospital Centre in Montreal.

The session will bring together some of Toronto's top scientists to discuss their latest findings and future directions of their research.

Other topics that will be covered during the conference are asthma, lungcancer, environmental and occupational lung diseases, cystic fibrosis, oxygen and the biology of hypoxia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, interstitial lung disease, airway inflammation, extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis, ICU-acquired weakness and pulmonary rehabilitation.

"We are very pleased to be hosting this large group of international thoracic specialists at the MTCC," said Barry Smith, President and CEO of the Centre. "Clinicians and researchers who specialize in thoracic medicine are on the front lines of the battle against respiratory illnesses, and we wish them well in this important fight," he added.

The MTCC anticipates this major convention will produce significant revenue for Toronto's hotels, restaurants, shops and entertainment venues, with an overall economic impact of approximately $35.5 million in direct spending.