EVENT SPOTLIGHT

Walk the Lake for Kira Faith

18th Blue Jean Ball

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.

This meeting will be chaired by Kathleen H. Burns, MD, PhD of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Ting Wang, PhD of Washington University

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Walk the Lake for Kira Faith 2023

Save the Date for the 2023 Walk the Lake for Kira Faith on October 7, 2023.

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2023 Blue Jean Ball

Save the date for the 18th Blue Jean Ball, happening on Saturday, October 14 from 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM at Pier 290 in Williams Bay, Wisconsin.

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The Forbeck Foundation created a breakthrough meeting: "The Forbeck Forum" that inspires the greatest minds in medical research to find a cure for cancer. Explore our upcoming meetings to learn what makes the Forbeck Forums different than other cancer research meetings and conferences.

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The Forums fill a critical gap in the fight against cancer by providing researchers with the unparalleled opportunity to share, interact, synergize and collaborate, and in turn, advance the next generation of breakthrough oncology research. By expanding our Forbeck Cancer Forums, we can accelerate progress toward a cure more quickly than ever.