DNA Damage & Cancer Susceptibility Syndromes
Forum Description
Sessions:
- DNA Repair I
- Damage Response & Checkpoints
- DNA Repair II
- Chromosome Instability
The important role that DNA damage plays in cancer development is illustrated by the clear connections between exposures to certain types of DNA damaging agents in the environment and the development of cancer, such as the links between cigarette smoking and lung cancer or sunlight exposure and skin cancer. In addition, the majority of inherited syndromes characterized to date that lead to increased cancer development in families result from inherited mutations in genes that are important for DNA damage responses. For example, inherited mutations in either the Brca1 or p53 genes results in a very high risk of developing breast cancer and both of these gene products are important for helping cells respond to various types of DNA damage. The genes mutated in certain rare diseases that affect children, such as Fanconi's Anemia, Ataxia-telangiectasia, and Xeroderma Pigmentosum, all play roles in cellular responses to DNA damage and children with these diseases have very high incidences of certain cancers. Studies of the genes mutated in these diseases have led to a much better understanding of how all cells respond to DNA damage and even more importantly to insights about how cancers develop. In addition, since radiation therapy and most chemotherapy used to treat cancer actually cause DNA damage, understanding how these gene products operate provides new ways to approach the treatment of cancer. The discussions at the forum will focus on how these gene products function, contribute to cancer and can be manipulated to improve cancer therapies."
Forum Summary
The important role that DNA damage plays in cancer development is illustrated by the clear connections between exposures to certain types of DNA damaging agents in the environment and the development of cancer, such as the links between cigarette smoking and lung cancer or sunlight exposure and skin cancer. In addition, the majority of inherited syndromes characterized to date that lead to increased cancer development in families result from inherited mutations in genes that are important for DNA damage responses. For example, inherited mutations in either the Brca1 or p53 genes results in a very high risk of developing breast cancer and both of these gene products are important for helping cells respond to various types of DNA damage. The genes mutated in certain rare diseases that affect children, such as Fanconi’s Anemia, Ataxia-telangiectasia, and Xeroderma Pigmentosum, all play roles in cellular responses to DNA damage and children with these diseases have very high incidences of certain cancers. Studies of the genes mutated in these diseases have led to a much better understanding of how all cells respond to DNA damage and even more importantly to insights about how cancers develop. In addition, since radiation therapy and most chemotherapy used to treat cancer actually cause DNA damage, understanding how these gene products operate provides new ways to approach the treatment of cancer. The discussions at the forum will focus on how these gene products function, how they contribute to cancer development, and how they can be manipulated to improve cancer therapies.
Quotes from Participants “It was very useful and stimulating and the responses I had from various participants were uniformly positive and enthusiastic.” - Prof. Jan Hoeijmakers
“The field of DNA damage and repair has developed so remarkably in the 40 years since I entered the field and co-discovered the process of excision repair of DNA. It is timely that you are sponsoring this forum on DNA damage and cancer susceptibility syndrome.” - Philip C. Hanawalt
“I came away with many new ideas, renewed inspiration, and ideas for some new contacts and collaborations.” - Richard Wood, Ph.D., F.R.S.
“Thanks again for organizing the 2003 Forbeck Forum and for providing the right environment for an open exchange of scientific ideas. It was truly an enlightening experience for us all. Not only that, we came away with a whole bunch of new friends!” - Stephen C. West, Ph.D.
“I and the other participants were unanimous in our view that it ranked among the best conferences that we had ever attended. The format is excellent and I would encourage you to continue with such an innovative and productive format.” - Ian Hickson, Ph.D.
“In addition to receiving an enormous number of new insights into the field of DNA repair, the meeting has paved the way for new collaborations between my research group and those of several other attendees. Moreover, the Forum strongly reinforced my conviction that the DNA damage and repair field has the potential to lead to better treatments for cancer. A prime goal for my career is to help realize this potential.” - Steve Jackson, Ph.D.
“It was a truly wonderful and unique experience that is already having immediate impact on my further research.” - Hans Joenje, Ph.D."
Venue & Travel Information
Travel Policy
Please familiarize yourself with our policies and procedures for travel. We truly appreciate you taking the time to participate in this meeting. As you make your plans, please remember that we are a nonprofit organization dependent on donations and volunteers. We do NOT pay for upgrades, change fees, incurred costs resulting from a flight change, transportation to or from your local (home side) airport, meals or other incidentals.
- Travel Confirmation will be sent out within 1 week of the meeting. This will include a hotel confirmation number, if there is one, and airport transfer details. We have to wait until we receive almost everyone’s travel to book airport transfer. Due to frequent airline changes, we wait until the week of the meeting to send this out.
- Airport transfer is provided by Foundation staff, volunteers or arranged shuttle at specific times. If you opt to utilize Foundation airport transportation on your travel form, please be patient in receiving this information. We will send it to the week of the meeting.
- Speaker agenda is not sent out prior to the meeting. It will be provided upon arrival in the meeting packet. We do not tell people when they are speaking because we expect everyone to attend all sessions. Sessions are all day Friday and Saturday.
- REMINDER: We do not reimburse for home side airport transfer or incidentals while traveling. We will not honor miscellaneous receipts sent for these expenses.
- Spouses are welcome to come with you at their own cost but are not allowed to attend the meeting. Please no children.
What the Foundation Pays
Accommodations and meals are provided by the foundation during the meeting. Airfare will be covered only if booked through our travel agent. The Foundation will also cover airport transportation on the meeting side at the designated shuttle times. You can select not to utilize Foundation arranged transportation at your own expense when completing the travel form. Once your travel form is received your accommodations and airport transfer will be confirmed. Please let us know of any food allergies or other information we should be aware of on the travel forms.
- If you would like your airfare covered by the Foundation, you must book with our travel agent. Note we do not cover upgrades, changes, late bookings, etc.
- Flights must be booked at least 30 days prior to the meeting to confirm your accommodations and airport transfer.
- As a nonprofit we utilize volunteers and other methods to maximize our efforts (or our donor support) when making accommodations and arranging ground transportation. Ground transportation will be provided upon your arrival either by a foundation volunteer or arranged shuttle. You will be provided airport transportation information the week of the meeting. We do not reimburse for home side airport transfer or incidentals while traveling.
Abstracts
Abstracts are due 30 days prior to the start of the meeting to allow enough time to prepare the meeting book.
The 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.
Meeting Structure
The meeting structure has been developed over years of experience.
- Participants have approximately 45 minutes, depending on the number of participants, for their presentation and discussion. The presentation is meant as a conversation start and should last about twenty minutes briefly covering background information and areas that are new or need further input. This should be structured in such a way as to lead to a lively discussion. Participants are encouraged to interrupt to ask questions or start discussions.
- A MAXIMUM of 5 slide equivalents per presentation is allowed (Power point slides should not contain more than one graph or gel per slide and no more than 5 bullet points to stress the points being made by the presenter.) We appreciate cooperation with the spirit of this guideline. Handouts are welcome but should be distributed before sessions.
- Everyone is expected to actively participate in every session and discussions.
- The time spent at the meeting is relatively short, so please be familiar with papers received prior to the meeting.
- It is very important that you commit to all sessions of the 2 days of meetings.
Forbeck Scholars Participation
Scholars are selected for each Forbeck Forum. These are outstanding junior clinical or post-doctoral fellows selected based on the quality and relevance of science.
- Scholars present for 30-45 minutes, depending on the number of participants
- The same presentation rules apply for scholars
- After the Forum you are selected to attend, you will attend three years of Scholar Retreats held in Lake Geneva, WI. If you attend a Fall Forum, you will attend the Spring Retreat. If you attend a Spring Forum you will attend a Fall Retreat.
- Scholars are selected by the Foundation Scientific Advisory Board and peer reviewers selected from past Forbeck Scholars.
General Program
The outline below illustrates a typical program schedule. You will receive a complete schedule, including speaking times, the Thursday the meeting starts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some of our most Frequently Asked Questions. If you have something new to ask, please feel free to contact us.
- Travel Confirmation will be sent out within 1 week of the meeting. This will include a hotel confirmation number, if there is one, and airport transfer details. We have to wait until we receive almost everyone’s travel to book airport transfer. Due to frequent airline changes, we wait until the week of the meeting to send this out.
- Airport transfer is provided by Foundation staff, volunteers or arranged shuttle at specific times. If you opt to utilize Foundation airport transportation on your travel form, please be patient in receiving this information. We will send it to the week of the meeting.
- Speaker agenda is not sent out prior to the meeting. It will be provided upon arrival in the meeting packet. We do not tell people when they are speaking because we expect everyone to attend all sessions. Sessions are all day Friday and Saturday.
- Frequently airport transfer is provided by volunteers. Please be patient on receiving this information. Airport transfer will be sent out prior to arrival.
- REMINDER: We do not reimburse for home side airport transfer or incidentals while traveling. We will not honor miscellaneous receipts sent for these expenses.