Epigenetics at the forefront of Biomedical Research
The past three decades have witnessed major advances in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms behind epigenetic control of key cellular processes. Although most breakthroudiscoveries were driven by scientific curiosity, many of them have important implications for human health. This is based on the notion that, unlike genetic alterations, most of the known epigenetic modifications are likely reversible, which offers considerable promise for therapeutic intervention. Importantly, the writers, readers and erasers of epigenetic information are either enzymes or recognize small covalent modifications, thereby representing ideal drug targets. In fact, more than 10 drugs targeting epigenetic regulators have currently been approved for treating different diseases, and more than 60 other epigenetic drugs are in clinical trials. Although most of the epigenetic research is presently dedicated to cancer, the repurposing of epigenetic drugs for other diseases, including age-related diseases, is becoming common practice. Nowadays, over 80 companies have epigenetic drug development programs targeting different diseases. It is expected that these numbers will only grow through the years, making this research direction even more promising. Thus, we believe that the social significance of epigenetic studies makes this workshop proposal a relevant and timely opportunity to discuss new observations and discoveries in order to explore possible therapeutic opportunities.
Expected impact
This workshop proposal builds upon the scientific excellence of the invited speakers and the extensive experience of Prof. Robert Schneider in the successful organization of epigenetic-related scientific meetings (more than 16 different ones, both in Europe and the USA). Invited speakers were chosen on the basis of scientific merit within the context of each session topic. Important criteria included the novelty of the approach, the significance of the work, and impact of the findings to the society. We believe that this unique list of speakers investigating different aspect of Epigenetics and leveraging a variety of model organisms ensures a diverse range of perspectives and expertise that will undoubtedly enrich the workshop's impact and outcomes.
A major objective of this workshop proposal is to promote interaction between junior scientists (young PIs, postdoctoral fellows, graduate students) and well-recognized senior investigators in the field. In this regard, we strongly believe that both the venue and the small number of attendants provide a unique forum for fruitful discussions to exchange knowledge, share recent unpublished findings and foster collaborative efforts. Moreover, we have included a specific session in our proposal, Meet the Experts, an informal event designed to provide young scientists with an opportunity to meet leaders in the field to talk about science and network in smaller groups with an informal setting thereby encouraging discussion. We will suggest selected topics to start the conversation (i.e. emerging scientific questions in the field, mentorship and career choices in academia and industry), but want to encourage young investigators to use this opportunity to explore issues of their own interest.
Since we aim this workshop to make a deeper impact on the epigenetic community, we have also included another session in our proposal, The Power Hour, where relevant issues of interest for scientific researchers (i.e. women in science, work/family balance, scientific misconduct) will be discussed in round tables. The number of females invited speakers is 4 (~30% of the total), which probably reflects the overall gender composition of faculty level scientists working in the area of epigenetics. In an effort to further enhance the visibility of women in the field, the 4 females invited speakers will serve as session chairs, which will facilitate the identification and recruitment of junior women scientists for the selected talks.
To summarize, the two main goals of this workshop proposal are:
- Creating a forum to facilitate the presentation of unpublished, cutting-edge research by world-leader investigators from diverse aspects of Epigenetics, showcasing the latest advancements in the field.
Offering a valuable opportunity for young scientists engaged in epigenetics research to participate in insightful discussions on recent research developments in the field, fostering the initiation of collaborative endeavors.
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