The Herbert and Florence Irving Institute for Cancer Dynamics will continue its seminar series on the topic of mathematical sciences underpinning cancer research. The monthly seminars take place on the second Wednesday of the month, 2:00-3:00 PM EST. The presentations are open to the Columbia community (in person and online) and to researchers outside Columbia (via Zoom).
On Wednesday, October 14 (2:00 PM ET), IICD welcomes Dr. Paul Mischel from Stanford University. Seminar hosted by Dr. José L. McFaline-Figueroa. The seminar will take place via Zoom. If you wish to attend the seminar remotely, please register using the following link: https://columbiauniversity.zoom.us/meeting/register/lEUbZc8uSCyuV6OFspk2EA
Title: Extrachromosomal DNA (ecDNA): Cancer’s Dynamic Circular Genome
Abstract: Extrachromosomal DNA (ecDNA) has emerged as one of the most pressing and challenging problems incancer. EcDNAs are megabase sized DNA circles that encode oncogenes, immunomodulatory genes, and regulatoryelements that can be found in some of the most aggressive cancers affecting children and adults, women and men. Byuntethering from chromosomal constraints, ecDNAs enable cancer cells to rapidly evolve and adapt to changingenvironments and treatments. ecDNAs can arise at many points in development development, from pre-cancer in high-grade dysplasia, through early disease, and in metastasis, contributing to treatment resistance and poor outcomes forpatients. Conceptually ecDNA biology is fascinating – sitting at the interface of genetics and epigenetics, changes howgenes are regulated, transcribed, and inherited. Understanding and exploiting ecDNA biology promises to transform thefundamental understanding of cancer and potentially revolutionize its treatment. In this talk, I will provide historical contextto the field, highlight recent discoveries and new technologies that are transforming how we understand the mechanisticbasis for many of the most aggressive cancers, and discuss new results that reveal a central role for the non-Mendelianinheritance of ecDNA in cancer.
Bio: Paul Mischel, M.D. is the Fortinet Founders Professor, Vice Chair for Research for the Department of Pathology, and Deputy Director of Translational Science and an Institute Scholar at Sarafan ChEM-H, Stanford University. Mischel, who leads the eDyNAmiC Cancer Grand Challenges Team, has made important contributions to the scientific understanding of extrachromosomal DNA (ecDNA) in cancer development, progression, and therapeutic resistance and the development of innovative techniques to study ecDNA. His research, published in Nature, Science, and Cell, and highlighted in a recent profile in Science Magazine (https://www.science.org/content/article/weird-rings-dna-fuel-cancers-scientist-leads-effort-target-them), has catalyzed a paradigm shift in the fundamental understanding of cancer biology, and his leadership has opened a new field that has led to the development of new drugs being tested in the clinic. Mischel is a member of the National Academy of Medicine, a Fellow of the AACR Academy, and Past-President of the American Society for Clinical Investigation. He is an academic co-founder of Boundless Bio and Alterris Oncology.
