Harnessing the Immune System to Treat Infection, Autoimmune Disorders and Cancer
Webcast sponsored by the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre and hosted by the Vancouver Public Library and UBC Life Sciences Institute. Our ability to harness the power of the immune system to treat a vast variety of diseases is rapidly advancing. Join the Life Sciences Institute’s Infection, Inflammation & Immunity – I3 – research group leaders for short talks and discussion about the use of the immune system in treating infection, autoimmune disorders and cancer.
This talk is an informal and open forum that aims to bring the latest and greatest ideas in the area of the Life Sciences to the public. Each event is free to attend and will include a talk, networking opportunities and reception. This series focuses on Personalized Medicine and how the Life Sciences Institute faculty, staff and students are working to change clinical practice, improve health outcomes, and reduce health costs. In partnership with the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre’s Health Information Series, an ongoing public lecture series that take place in the Lower Mainland community, this talk will also be recorded for webcast viewing at a later date.
Panel Topics:
Dr. Georgia Perona-Wright – “Using the immune system to combat infection”
Dr. Ken Harder – “Treating cancer with immunology”
Dr. Marc Horwitz – “Immunotherapies in autoimmunity”
Dr. Ninan Abraham as moderator.
Speakers:
Dr. Georgia Perona-Wright – Dr Perona Wright’s research is on immune responses that can be both protective and pathological. Her aim is to understand how the balance between these two outcomes is achieved, concentrating on the role of cytokines during infection. She is particularly interested in the interaction between coincident, opposing cytokines.
Dr. Ken Harder – The long-term goal of the Harder Lab is to identify the key genes and cellular pathways that guide dendritic cell lineage choice and dendritic cell function. We are particularly interested in the role of tyrosine kinase/phosphatase-regulated signalling pathways that control signalling thresholds important for the development and function of DCs. The work utilizes mouse models in which the levels and activities of key signaling molecules have been manipulated allowing the lab to delineate the roles of particular genes or signalling pathways in mammalian dendritic cell biology and in innate/adaptive immunity at the whole animal level. The lab is using these mouse models to explore the relationship between alterations in DC development/function and host responses to tumours and bacterial or viral pathogens. Ultimately, this research program will lead to the identification of critical proteins and pathways that may become targets of future therapeutic strategies to either augment host-pathogen/tumour responses or alleviate pathological immune responses.
Dr. Marc Horwitz – Dr. Horwitz’s laboratory is interested in identifying, characterizing and determining the mechanisms of viral-induced immune disease in a variety of complex chronic disorders. These include, but are not limited to autoimmune diseases like diabetes, autoimmune myocarditis and multiple sclerosis, immunosuppression induced by viruses such as HIV and Measles, haemorrhagic fevers as observed following Dengue fever virus infection, and meningitis induced by viruses like West Nile Virus. Specifically, Dr. Horwitz’s primary goal of the program is to interconnect the changes effecting the ability of the immune system to respond to infection with its ability to develop immune dysfunction leading to disease.
Moderator
Dr. Ninan Abraham – Dr. Abraham is Associate Professor and Co-leader, Infection, Inflammation and Immunity (I3) Research Group at the Department of Microbiology and Immunology and Department of Zoology. His research is in the development, maintenance and proper functioning of T- and B-cells are essential for the survival of mammals in a pathogen-ridden environment. Their absence results in inherited or acquired immunodeficiency, the latter of which is the basis of a growing health crisis. Conversely, deregulated growth and development can lead to cancer of the immune system. Leukemia and Lymphoma are the most common cancers among children. His group’s research focus is on a cytokine, interleukin-7 (IL-7), that is an essential growth factor for lymphocytes. Defects in IL-7 or its deregulation cause immunodeficiency and lymphomas respectively. Our long-term goal is to use genetic models of IL-7 function to understand the key intracellular, signaling processes that contribute to these diseases and to formulate novel therapeutic strategies.
Useful Resources for more information
- Pubmed – http://pubmed.gov/
- Pubmed Central (free, open-access articles) – http://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/
- Pubmed Central Canada – http://pubmedcentralcanada.ca/
- Merck Medicus – http://www.merckmedicus.com
- Genomics databases – http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Essential Evidence Plus (InfoPOEMS) – http://www.essentialevidenceplus.com/
- WebMD – http://www.webmd.com
- MDConsult – http://www.mdconsult.com
- Medline Plus – http://medlineplus.gov/
For more information about this series, please contact Stefanie Butland, Life Sciences Institute, Lee Ann Bryant, Reference Librarian or Allan Cho, Community Engagement Librarian
Clara van Karnebeek – Riding the TIDE to Improve Outcomes for Children With Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Intellectual disabilities are no longer necessarily an unchangeable fate. Today, new tools allow us to diagnose and treat specific genetic conditions that cause developmental delay and intellectual disability, previously thought to be permanent. Individual with intellectual disabilities often develop epilepsy and autism—much of which can now be prevented through life-changing treatments.
Dr. van Karnebeek and her team already successfully identified a number of these defects, developed new treatments and were able to enhance identification of these diseases in BC Children’s Hospital. Over the past 2 years, 400 children with intellectual disability were systematically screened and 5% were identified to have treatable condition; treatment in these cases improved behavior, cognition and often changed the lives of the whole family. These diagnostic tools – a protocol supported by the Treatable-ID.org App – are now used by physicians around the world, allowing them to recognize diseases in newborns and treat these vulnerable patients before they suffer critical brain damage.
The research of Dr. van Karnebeek, Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics and scientist in the Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics (CMMT) at UBC, aims to discover new inborn errors of metabolism, a class of genetic diseases that is particularly amenable to treatment. Her team uses a multidisciplinary approach involving the study of three “-omics” in patients: phenomics, their physical and biochemical properties, genomics, their genetic information, and metabolomics, their metabolite profiles. The Treatable Intellectual Disability Endeavor (TIDE) is a large collaborative effort Dr. van Karnebeek established alongside Sylvia Stockler. Its goal is to harness new technologies for the discovery of genetic defects in children who appear to have intellectual disabilities and to provide clinicians with the tools for early recognition and management.
Speaker Bio
Dr. van Karnebeek is a Certified Pediatrician and Biochemical Geneticist at the BC Children’s Hospital (BCCH). She is currently serving as Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics, at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver. Over the last decade since obtaining her PhD in the genetics of intellectual disability, Dr. van Karnebeek has been actively bridging her clinical work with passion for medical research.
Some of Dr. van Karnebeek’s most significant contributions pertain to innovation of diagnosis and treatment of inborn errors metabolism in intellectual disability patients, and translation into improved outcomes via prevention of brain damage and optimization of neurologic symptoms. Her research has led to the creation and design of the WebAPP www.Treatable-ID.org for handheld devices, which translates the knowledgebase she compiled for a systematic review into a clinical tool which facilitates the diagnosis and treatment of 81 treatable inborn errors of metabolism. As a Co-Principal Investigator with Dr. Sylvia Stockler, Head of the Biochemical Division at BCCH on the Treatable Intellectual Disability Endeavour (TIDE) project, a BCCH Collaborative Area of Innovation Grant, Dr. van Karnebeek successfully led the implementation of the TIDE diagnostic protocol at BCCH. The study identified treatable inborn errors of metabolism in 5% of all intellectual disability patients, and showed reduced time to diagnosis and cost-savings. Working with leading applied genomics and metabolomics researcher, Dr. van Karnebeek’s team is discovering novel gene defects causing intellectual disability which are amenable to treatment, with 5 novel genes thus far identified. This Omics2TreatIOD team, with Dr. van Karnebeek seving as PI, was recently awarded Genome BC and CIHR funding to expand their work with affected families around the globe, and generate knowledge on underlying disease mechanisms and targets for treatments. More can be read about the projects in the cover story of the Summer 2013 Edition of the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation’s Speaking of Children.
Dr. van Karnebeek is the recipient of Laura McRae Award for Excellence in Pediatrics from the University of BC/BC College of Physicians and Surgeons, Pediatrics, the 2012 Digital Health Innovation Summit award for her work on www.Treatable-ID.org WebApp, and Most Outstanding Autism Research Distinction from the Dutch Scientific Journal for Autism. She was recently selected as a finalist for the 2013 CIHR’s IG Maud Menten New Principal Investigator Prize, Clinical Theme. Dr. van Karnebeek is actively involved in philanthropic activities as a founder, researcher, and supporter of several nonprofit organizations including Tour de TIDE and Foundation Tweega Medica in East Africa.
UBC Library Resources
van Karnebeek, C. D., Houben, R. F., Lafek, M., Giannasi, W., & Stockler, S. (2012). The treatable intellectual disability APP w ww. treatable-id. org: A digital tool to enhance diagnosis & care for rare diseases. [Link]
Van Karnebeek, C. D., Jansweijer, M. C., Leenders, A. G., Offringa, M., & Hennekam, R. C. (2005). Diagnostic investigations in individuals with mental retardation: a systematic literature review of their usefulness. European journal of human genetics, 13(1), 6-25. [Link]
Merks, J. H., van Karnebeek, C. D., Caron, H. N., & Hennekam, R. (2003). Phenotypic abnormalities: terminology and classification. American Journal of Medical Genetics Part A, 123(3), 211-230. [Link]
Bob Prittie Metrotown, Burnaby Public Library (6100 Willingdon Avenue, Burnaby BC V5H 4N5 )
Partner
Living (and Dying) for Canada’s Ideals
Trailer for Operation Oblivion:
Celebrating Asian Heritage Month at UBC: Classical Chinese Garden exhibition at IKBLC
The Garden is moving to UBC! During Asian Heritage Month, visitors of the Irving K. Barber Centre will have the opportunity to the experience the history, culture and symbolism of the Classical Chinese Garden in a series of specially-curated and thematic display cases. This exhibition can be viewed on the IKBLC Foyer, located on the 2nd floor of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre. In addition, a program will accompany this exhibition on May 24, 11.30AM.
Website: www.vancouverchinesegarden.com
Address: 578 Carrall Street, Vancouver, BC V6B 5K2
A View Within a View: Garden Expressions, Exchanges & Explorations
Saturday May 24th, 2014 – 11:30am-1:00pm
Chilcotin Room, Irving K. Barber Learning Centre
As part of the programming planned for the exhibition, a moderated presentation will be hosted for collaborated garden conversations with the UBC Botanical Garden and Nitobe Japanese Garden. Join us on UBC Alumni Weekend to listen to speakers in lively talks about these built spaces of nature and the role they play in our contemporary urban contexts. All are welcome, the event is free. For more information, contact education@vancouverchinesegarden.com or 604-662-3207 ext. 205.
Resources available at UBC Library
Keswick, Maggie, Judy Oberlander, and Joe Wai. In a Chinese Garden: The Art & Architecture of the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden. Raincoast Book Dist Ltd, 1990. [Available at UBC Library]
Mooney, Patrick, and Caswell, Rick. Understanding culture through design : an examination of the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden / Patrick F. Mooney. Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Garden Society of Vancouver, 1991. [Available at UBC Library]
Partners:
The Next Step: Making the Pitch
Webcast sponsored by alumni UBC. Got a great idea that you want to put into action but need to get some people on your side first? Want to be able to concisely and convincingly explain why you’re the right person for the job or why your project should get top priority at work? You need a spectacular elevator pitch and the tools to make your case. Whether you work in the non-profit, small business, or corporate sectors, are pursuing a career in these areas or simply want to learn techniques for honing your pitching skills, this event is for you. This event took place February 4, 2014, in Vancouver.
Moderator
Lien Yeung – Weather and Community Host, CBC News Vancouver Saturday and CBC News Vancouver Sunday, UBC Masters in Journalism candidate
Panelists
Terry Beech – Entrepreneur, Educator, and Public Servant; Adjunct Professor, UBC’s Sauder School of Business
Linda Diano, BSc’87, MBA’92 – Principal, Virago Consulting; Associate, Maximum Impact Training & Development; Co-Founder, The Power in Sport
Dustin Sproat, MBA’13 – Co-founder and CEO, Shnarped
Relevant Books and Articles at UBC Library
Beech, T., Canada, A., Canadian Public Policy Collection, & Canadian Electronic Library (Firm). (2011). Fueling Canada’s economic success a national strategy for high-growth entrepreneurship. Action Canada. [Link]
UBC Library Research Guides