Registration

Searching the Coding Region for microRNA Targets
Jiri Vanicek, Assistant Professor, EFPL, Switzerland

I will introduce an algorithm that finds potential microRNA targets within coding sequences. Thanks to the properly constructed background, PACCMIT-CDS achieves a better ranking of predictions than do currently available algorithms, designed to find microRNA targets within 3'UTRs.

Genetic Circuits and TALE-hybrids for Sensing microRNAs
Leonidas Bleris, Professor, University of Texas at Dallas, United States of America

The ability to conditionally rewire pathways using microRNA information holds great therapeutic potential. We present genetic circuits and transcription activator-like effectors (TALEs) engineered to respond to endogenous signals and capable of controlling transgenes by applying a predetermined and tunable action at the single-cell level.

Discovery of Cancer Drug Targets Using RNAi Screening with Pooled Lentiviral shRNA Libraries
Alex Chenchik, President/CSO, Cellecta Inc, United States of America

Cellecta offers a novel, free public resource for genome-wide RNAi screens – DECIPHER pooled lentiviral shRNA libraries (www.decipherproject.net). Using a combination of in vitro and ex vivo RNAi screening strategies, we have identified and validated hundreds of key viability genes in oncogenic cells.

Coffee and Networking in Exhibiton Hall

Lunch and Networking in Exhibition Hall

Poster Viewing Session

The Role of EPS Urine-Derived MicroRNAs in Prostate Cancer
Aurora Esquela Kerscher, Assistant Professor, Eastern Virginia Medical School, United States of America

MicroRNAs are often misexpressed in prostate cancer but little is known regarding how they control tumor progression and metastasis in this tissue. Characterization of miRNAs derived from expressed prostatic secretions (EPS) urine, a non-invasively obtained fluid, could lead to novel discriminating biomarkers and therapeutic targets for aggressive forms of prostate cancer.

MicroRNA Regulation of Cell Viability and Drug Sensitivity in Lung Cancer
Alexander Pertsemlidis, Associate Professor, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, United States of America

High-throughput screening of libraries of microRNA mimics and inhibitors identifies microRNAs, target genes and pathways that modulate cell viability, either alone or selectively as adjuvants to traditional chemotherapeutic agents.

Coffee and Networking in Exhibiton Hall

Translational Opportunities in the microRNA Field
Enal Razvi, Managing Director, Select Biosciences Inc, United States of America

The microRNA field is progressing rapidly from the research phase into translational activities.  SELECTBIO has been tracking this field since 2008 and in this presentation we will provide a latest market snapshot of the overall space including translational focus of microRNA research into biomarker discovery, toxicity screening and therapeutics development.  We will provide qualitative and quantitative market data from our continual market analyses of these segments.

microRNAs and their Exosomal Transfer Support Multiple Myeloma Pathogenesis
Aldo Roccaro, Senior Scientist, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, United States of America

microRNAs play a pivotal role in modulating multiple myeloma (MM) biology. It is known that cell-to-cell communication is partially mediated by exosomes. However, it has not been conclusively demonstrated the role of bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cell (BM-MSC)-derived exosomes in supporting hematologic tumor growth and progression, through transfer of their microRNA content to the tumor clone. We therefore dissected the role of exosomal BM-MSC-microRNAs in regulating MM pathogenesis.

Tumor Type-specific Effects of Oncomir-1: Lessons from Mouse Models and Cancer Genomics
Andrei Thomas-Tikhonenko, Professor, University of Pennsylvania, United States of America

The miR-17-92 microRNA cluster was first identified as an oncogene by virtue of its amplification in a subset of human cancers. Yet while miR-17-92 is robustly transcribed in B-cell lymphoma, it maintains intermediate levels in most carcinomas, and is barely expressed in glioblastoma multiforme. This variance reflects fundamental differences in miR-17-92 biology across tumor types and has important implications for patient survival.

Round Table Discussions in the Exhibition Hall

End of Day One

MicroRNAs Reprogram Normal Fibroblasts into Cancer Associated Fibroblasts in Ovarian Cancer
Marcus Peter, Professor, Northwestern University, United States of America

The mechanism by which quiescent fibroblasts are converted into cancer associated fibroblasts is not clear. The present study identifies a set of 3 miRNAs that reprogram normal fibroblasts to cancer associated fibroblasts. These miRNAs may represent novel therapeutic targets in the tumor microenvironment.

Coffee and Networking in Exhibiton Hall

Identification of Long Non-coding RNAs in Prostate Cancer by RNA-seq
Melanie Lehman, Research Scientist, Queensland University of Technology, Australia

We have used RNA-seq with de novo transcriptome assembly to identify long non-coding RNAs in prostate cancer cells, including non-coding RNAs overlapping—and often mistaken for—protein-coding RNAs.  A complete picture of the prostate cancer transcriptome is critical in developing durable therapies for men with late stage prostate cancer.

Identification and Functional Characterization of lncRNAs in Cancer
Pieter Mestdagh, Postdoctoral Researcher, Ghent University Hospital, Belgium

This presentation will highlight different approaches for the identification of candidate cancer lncRNAs including lncRNA expression profiling of cancer model systems and lncRNA copy number analysis in different cancer entities.

Lunch and Networking in Exhibition Hall

Poster Viewing Session

Identify Blood-based microRNA Markers Predicting Breast Cancer Outcome
Emily Wang, Assistant Professor, City of Hope Beckman Research Institute, United States of America

Using discovery profiling of circulating small RNAs, we have identified miRNAs associated with the pathological features and clinical outcome of breast cancer. Our group is currently focusing on refining blood-based miRNA markers for breast cancer diagnosis and prognosis, and exploring the functions of cancer-secreted, circulating miRNAs.

Development of MRX34, a microRNA-34 Based Therapy for Cancer
Andreas Bader, Director, Mirna Therapeutics Inc, United States of America

Mirna Therapeutics develops cancer therapies that are based on tumor suppressor microRNAs (miRNAs). These miRNAs kill cancer cells by regaining control over multiple oncogenic pathways which represents a new paradigm in cancer therapy. Data on MRX34, a liposome-formulated mimic of miR-34, will be presented.

Coffee and Networking in Exhibiton Hall

In vivo NCL-targeting Affects Cancer Aggressiveness Through miRNA Regulation
Flavia Pichiorri, Assistant Professor, The Ohio State University, United States of America

My presentation will focus on how Nucleolin (NCL) is involved in the post-transcriptional regulation of a specific subset of miRNAs, including miR-21, miR-221, miR-222, and miR-103, causally involved in cancer initiation, progression and drug-resistance and how guanosine-rich aptamers can affect the level of these miRNAs and their target genes, reducing breast cancer cell aggressiveness.

Persomics Technology Allows on the Fly High Content Genomic and Diagnostic Screening
Neil Emans, CEO & Founder, Persomics, South Africa

Persomics technology allows on the fly genomic and diagnostic screening, through miniaturization of cell based experiments. In this presentation, we present how our technology can fundamentally speed screening at the interface of the human cell and genomic libraries. We can make it work on the fly.

Close of Conference