Kathleen H. Burns, MD, PhD of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Ting Wang, PhD of Washington University
04/12/2022 - Travel Form Due
04/12/2022 - Abstracts Due
Asilomar Conference Grounds
800 Asilomar Avenue
Pacific Grove, CA 93950
831.372.8016
Forbeck Forum Information
Travel Information
General Program
Frequently Asked Questions
How to donate to WGFRF
Transposable elements (TEs) make up 50% of the human genome but are referred to as "genomic dark matter" or "junk DNA" and often ignored in genomic medicine - both because they have been presumed to be unimportant and because their high copy number and variability pose unique technical challenges. Neither impediment now seems steadfast. Interest in the human transposable elements and their role in cancer has never been greater, and methods enabling its study are maturing at a fast pace.
Transposable elements directly contribute to cancer through both genetic and epigenetic mechanisms. De novo transposon insertions are known to disrupt important genes and gene regulatory elements and result in tumorigenesis. Epigenetically reactivated transposable elements can become cryptic promoters and enhancers and lead to abnormal gene activities including up-regulating oncogenes. These recent mounting evidences request a full understanding of the contribution of transposable elements to cancer.
On the other hand, transposable elements are a double-edged sword. Recent discoveries reveal that epigenetically reactivated transposable elements can produce cancer specific products including immunogenic antigens and double stranded RNAs, which result in an innate immune response. These findings together with rapid development of immunotherapies open new avenues for cancer treatment.
Travel forms are due 30 days prior to the start of the meeting to allow enough time to plan transportation.
The Monterey Regional Airport (MRY) is the preferred airport as it is only 20 minutes from the meeting location.
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is 2 hours from the meeting location without traffic. The Foundation can only accommodate 1 pick up per day at San Francisco. If you absolutely must fly into San Francisco (ie: International Flights) the Foundation will have the following pick up times:
Abstracts are due 30 days prior to the start of the meeting to allow enough time to prepare the meeting book.
Abstracts should be only one or two paragraphs outlining the theme of your presentation and should reflect the objective and spirit of the meeting (see above). Abstracts will be circulated about one week before the meeting. The meeting organizer will start requesting them a month before the meeting.
Submit Abstract| Participant | Institution |
|---|---|
| Victoria Belancio, PhD | Tulane University |
| Guillaume Bourque, PhD | McGill University |
| Kathleen H. Burns, MD, PhD | Dana-Farber Cancer Institute |
| Kate Chiappinelli, PhD | George Washington University |
| Ed Chuong, PhD | University of Colorado, Boulder |
| Gael Cristofari, PhD | French Institute of Health and Medical Research |
| Daniel De Carvalho, PhD | Princess Margaret Cancer Center |
| Aguirre De Cubas, PhD | Medical University of South Carolina |
| Bess Frost, PhD | UT Health San Antonio |
| Vera Gorbunova, PhD | University of Rochester School of Medicine |
| Lin He, PhD | Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory |
| Peter Jones, PhD, DSc | Van Andel Institute |
| John Moran, PhD | University of Michigan |
| Bing Ren, PhD | University of California San Diego |
| Hui Shen, PhD | Van Andel Institute |
| Ting Wang, PhD | Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis |
| Scholar | Institution |
|---|---|
| Carlos Mendez-Dorantes, PhD | Dana-Farber Cancer Institute |
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