In cancer, well over 90% of mutations found in patient tumors are deemed ‘non-actionable’. Many proteins with ‘non-actionable’ mutations are investigated by scientists who study RNA biology, in particular abnormalities in post-transcriptional RNA processing. Biophysicists and engineers have made great strides in understanding biological phase transitions and the role of intrinsically disordered protein (IDP) domains, which have been implicated in both diseases and often described as ‘non-actionable’. This conference seeks to bring together disease-focused medical scientists, RNA biologists, and biophysicists in a truly multidisciplinary environment. The goals include:
Have members of different disciplines become aware of recent advances and outstanding remaining questions in the fields of cancer, RNA, IDP, and phase transition biology.
Address current challenges to overcoming barriers to the advancement of science and medicine in these fields and identify technical opportunities that meet these challenges.
Develop individual enthusiasm to further explore multi-disciplinary research as a vehicle to advance understanding of human biology, public health, and scientific knowledge.
Initiate collaborations across disciplines.
This conference can be summarized as an effort to move from ‘what is known’ about cancer and neurodegenerative disease to ‘what can be done’. The bottom line is to translate scientific discoveries made in three interconnected fields to develop next-generation treatments for cancers and neurodegenerative disease.
Have members of different disciplines become aware of recent advances and outstanding remaining questions in the fields of cancer, RNA, IDP, and phase transition biology.
Address current challenges to overcoming barriers to the advancement of science and medicine in these fields and identify technical opportunities that meet these challenges.
Develop individual enthusiasm to further explore multi-disciplinary research as a vehicle to advance understanding of human biology, public health, and scientific knowledge.
Initiate collaborations across disciplines.
This conference can be summarized as an effort to move from ‘what is known’ about cancer and neurodegenerative disease to ‘what can be done’. The bottom line is to translate scientific discoveries made in three interconnected fields to develop next-generation treatments for cancers and neurodegenerative disease.
