At a scientific conference, experts on DNA replication and repair, explained how DNA functions and how it can be useful to develop new therapies, in particular against cancer.
The Arturo Falaschi Conference entitled “At the Intersection of DNA Replication and Genome Maintenance: from Mechanisms to Therapy” marked the return to Trieste, in presence, of the scientific congresses organised by ICGEB. The meeting brought together, at the Maritime Station from 5 to 7 July 2022, internationally renowned scientists experts in DNA replication and repair, how it functions and how it can be useful to develop new therapies, in particular against cancer.
The congress was part of a series of conferences dedicated to the memory of Prof. Arturo Falaschi.
Conference’s ambitious goal
The ambitious goal of the three-day conference was to take stock of the most up-to-date research on DNA replication and repair and of possible applications in the medical field. With 140 participants from 21 different countries, the meeting was considered a great success. Many participants expressed their enthusiasm regarding the speakers, the science that was presented as well as all the group activities.
“The meeting was a great opportunity to see the most recent results on how cells faithfully replicate our genome and repair DNA lesions,” said Prof. Alessandro Vindigni, Professor of Medicine, Pathology and Immunology at the Washington School of Medicine and Director of the Center for Genomic Integrity at the Siteman Cancer Center of Saint Louis in Missouri, and head of the organising committee.
Discoveries involving drugs
Researchers also discussed recent discoveries involving drugs that specifically block the repair mechanisms in cancer cells, thereby sensitising them to chemotherapeutics already in use and improving their potency.
An entire session of the conference was dedicated to the most recent discoveries providing opportunities to develop new therapies against cancer. Dr Angel Sfier from the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Dr Simon Boulton from the Francis Crick Institute in London delivered two exciting and inspiring talks on new potential targets for tumours with deficiencies in homologous recombination genes, which are currently in clinical trials.
Dr Mark O’Connor from AstraZeneca provided a comprehensive overview on the efficacy of the most recent drugs that target the DNA damage response.
