Nuclear Codensates in Cancer

Forum Chairs

Benjamin
Sabari
,
PhD
Assistant Professor
UT Southwestern
Liling
Wan
,
PhD
Assistant Professor of Cancer Biology
University of Pennsylvania

Forum Description

Biomolecular condensates are emerging as a fundamental principle for organization of diverse biochemical processes in the nucleus. In particular, regulation of chromatin structure and transcription have recently been found to be regulated by condensates. These findings impact our basic understanding of how gene expression is regulated and dysregulated in cancer, infectious disease, and developmental disorders. Bridging the cutting-edge fundamental biology with mechanisms underlying human disease promises to identify novel therapeutic strategies for a range of indications. The main benefit from this meeting will be to bring together scientists and physicians with diverse perspectives ranging from basic science to patient care to discuss the implications of recent findings in the fast-developing field of nuclear condensates.

New discoveries on the role of biomolecular condensates in chromatin and transcriptional regulation in healthy and disease biology are accelerating at a remarkable pace. We are at a perfect time to bring together scientists and physicians to map out how discoveries from the laboratory can inform and be informed by latest advances in disease biology to guide and accelerate development of therapeutic interventions. While basic science is progressing, it will be important for the diverse group of scientists and physicians to identify the highest priority questions as they relate to cancer biology and human disease.

The major goal of this meeting will be to bring together experts in biomolecular condensates, chromatin, and transcription with experts in cancer biology and oncology. This meeting will be successful if there is an exchange between scientists and physicians to align interests and common goal to advance the fast-moving science towards making impact for patients. While there is great clinical promise in understanding the role of condensates in disease biology, the field is still dominated by PhDs. This meeting will enable a realigning of the goals of the field to focus on clinically relevant questions. Toward this goal, we attempted to include as many physicians as possible whose work was relevant to the topic, but there are not many currently working in this space. Regardless of degree title, our proposed speakers work at various stages of the basic to translational research spectrum. The group of 16 we have identified include computational biophysicists, mechanisms driven biologists, translation focused researchers, and physicians.

Forum Summary

Venue & Travel Information

Asilomar Conference Grounds

800 Asilomar Avenue
Pacific Grove, CA 93950

www.visitasilomar.com
831.372.8016

CONFIRM YOUR ATTENDANCE

The Forbeck Forum is an exclusive, invite-only venue designed for open discussion, knowledge sharing, and collaboration. Limited to just 15-20 participants, this intimate gathering brings together the world’s leading oncology experts to exchange insights and drive innovation in the field.

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We look forward to your participation in this impactful and inspiring event!

Travel Forms

TRAVEL FORMS DUE:
September 18, 2026

Please familiarize yourself with our travel policy below before booking your travel. If you have any questions about our policy, please do not hesitate to contact us for clarification.

Travel forms are due 30 days prior to the start of the forum to allow enough time to plan transportation.

To help reduce transportation costs, the Foundation tries to group travelers on shuttle vans rather than providing transportation for single travelers. The times below are not exclusive but represent times that we hope to have shuttles leave the airport.


The Monterey Regional Airport (MRY) is the preferred airport as it is only 20 minutes from the venue.

  • Arrival day of the forum at approximately 1:00 PM, 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM
  • Departures from the venue at approximately 8:00 AM, 10:00 AM, and 12:00 PM


San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is 2 hours from the venue without traffic. The Foundation tries to prioritize International Flights and situations where flying into SFO is significantly cheaper than connecting to MRY. The times below are for guidance only, and depending on the volume of travelers, we may add an additional shuttle to and from the airport.

  • Arrival day of the forum at approximately 3:00 PM
  • Departures from the venue at approximately 10:00 AM

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT GROUND TRANSPORTATION
To maximize funding for our Forums, the Foundation does not reimburse ground transportation costs outside the designated shuttle pick-up times. If you arrive after the final shuttle, or do not wish to wait for or take a scheduled shuttle, you will be responsible for arranging and covering your own transportation to the Forum venue.

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Travel Policy & General 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. So please note what we do and do not cover.

What the Foundation Pays For

  • ACCOMMODATIONS for the nights of the Forum only.  People traveling from oversees or far away may arrive 1 night early to adjust for jet lag or to navigate longer travel times.
  • MEALS are provided by the foundation during the forum.
  • A TRAVEL ALLOWANCE FOR AIRFARE will be set based on an economy ticket from your home airport. If you have travel before or after that is fine.  We do not increase the allowance for other travel plans.
  • The Foundation provides SHUTTLES TO/FROM THE AIRPORT to the meeting venue at designated shuttle times.
  • You can select not to utilize Foundation arranged transportation at your own expense when completing the travel form.

What the Foundation does not cover

  • We do not cover upgrades of any kind.
  • Travel Allowance will not be increased due to late booking or changes.
  • We do not cover incidental costs during your travel.  So please do not send your food receipts.
  • We do not cover additional nights at the venue outside of the meeting dates.
  • We do not cover transportation outside of the designated shuttle times.
  • We do not reimburse for home side airport transfer (to/from your home/office to your airport).

Important Things to Note

  • Everyone must fill out the travel form!
  • We must have your itinerary and travel receipt to receive reimbursement.
  • Flights must be booked at least 30 days prior to the meeting or you may not have accommodations and airport transfer.
  • We often use volunteers for airport transfers.
  • The travel confirmation will be sent out the WEEK before your Forum.
  • The speaking agenda will be spent out the NIGHT before your Forum.
  • We expect participants to attend ALL sessions.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Travel Confirmation will be sent out with in 1 week of the meeting. This will include a hotel confirmation number, if there is one, airport transfer details. We have to wait until we receive almost everyone’s travel to book airport transfer. Also due to frequent airline changes we wait until the week of the meeting to send this out.
  • 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.

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.

abstracts DUE:
September 18, 2026
submit abstract

Forum Structure

The structure of the forum 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 2 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.
  • A Whiteboard and markers will be available to supplement your digital slides.
  • Everyone is expected to actively participate in every session and discussions.
  • The time spent at the forum is relatively short, so please be familiar with papers received prior to arrival.
  • It is very important that you commit to all sessions of the 2 days of the forum.

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 forum starts.

Arrival Day
1:00 PM Arrivals
6:00 PM Cocktails (opt'l)
7:00 PM Dinner
Forum Day 1
7:00 AM Breakfast
8:00 AM Scientific Sessions
12:00 PM Lunch
1:30 PM Scientific Sessions
6:00 PM Cocktails & Dinner
Forum Day 2
7:00 AM Breakfast
8:00 AM Scientific Sessions
12:00 PM Lunch
1:30 PM Scientific Sessions
6:00 PM Cocktails & Dinner
Departure Day
7:00 AM Breakfast
8:00 AM Departures

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 forum. 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 forum.
  • 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.
  • 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.

Forum Participants

Salman
Banani
,
MD, PhD
UChicago Medicine
Kathrin
Bernt
,
MD
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Kyle
Eagen
,
PhD
Baylor College of Medicine
Jonathan
Henninger
,
PhD
Carnegie Mellon University
Hao
Jiang
,
PhD
University of Virginia
Cigall
Kadoch
,
PhD
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Pilong
Li
,
PhD
Tsinghua University
Benjamin
Sabari
,
PhD
UT Southwestern
Krishna
Shrinivas
,
PhD
Northwestern University
Xiaokun
Shu
,
PhD
University of California San Francisco
Amy
Strom
,
PhD
Princeton University
Liling
Wan
,
PhD
University of Pennsylvania
Greg
Wang
,
PhD
Duke University

Forum Scholars

No Scholars attended this meeting