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Gordon Research Seminar: Elastin, Elastic Fibers, and Microfibrils

Functions of Elastin and Related Fibers in Development, Homeostasis, and Disease

July 23-28, 2023, Southern New Hampshire University

The Elastin, Elastic Fibers, and Microfibrils GRC is a premier, international scientific conference focused on advancing the frontiers of science through the presentation of cutting-edge and unpublished research, prioritizing time for discussion after each talk and fostering informal interactions among scientists of all career stages. The conference program includes a diverse range of speakers and discussion leaders from institutions and organizations worldwide, concentrating on the latest developments in the field. The conference is five days long and held in a remote location to increase the sense of camaraderie and create scientific communities, with lasting collaborations and friendships. In addition to premier talks, the conference has designated time for poster sessions from individuals of all career stages, and afternoon free time and communal meals allow for informal networking opportunities with leaders in the field.

American Society for Matrix Biology Meeting

Tissue, Matrix, and Pathobiology: Joint Meeting of ASMB, HCS, and ASIP

October 22-25, 2023, Salt Lake City, UT

Tissue, Matrix, and Pathobiology is an exciting new multidisciplinary and collaborative joint meeting of the American Society for Matrix Biology (ASMB), The Histochemical Society (HCS), and the American Society for Investigative Pathology (ASIP). This meeting will feature cutting-edge basic, clinical, and translational research related to a variety of topics that reflect the normal biology of cells and tissues, and the molecular and cellular alterations that drive disease processes and accompany the development of disease.

The meeting will include award lectures, plenary sessions, symposia, and workshops featuring speakers who are leaders in their respective fields of study. Abstract-driven mini-symposia and interactive poster sessions will also be programmed across the participating Societies. There will be ample opportunities for trainees and other young investigators to present their research in oral sessions.

The meeting will also feature education and career development sessions that are focused on the needs of the current generation of trainees and young investigators. A generous scholar award program will provide travel grants for trainees and junior faculty who are members of the participating Societies.

Exploiting Advantages of the Zebrafish Model for the Study of Aortopathies Webinar

The GenTAC Alliance Basic and Translational Science Working Group hosted a webinar titled, “Exploiting Advantages of the Zebrafish Model for the Study of Aortopathies,” on January 18, 2023. 

In this webinar, speakers discussed recent progress with mutant zebrafish models, including their ability to provide clinically pertinent clues regarding true pathogenicity. 

Webinar speakers are: 

• John Elefteriades, MD (Yale University, USA) 
• Andrew Prendergast, PhD (Yale University, USA) 
• Mary Sheppard, MD (University of Kentucky, USA) 
• Jakub Famulski, PhD (University of Kentucky, USA)
• Patrick Sips, PhD (Ghent University, BE) 

Transcriptional and Epigenetic Factors in the Generation of Thoracic Aortic Disease Webinar

On December 1, 2022, four experts in the field of epigenetics and transcriptional mechanics of the ascending aorta discussed their research and its implications in the generation of thoracic aortic disease (TAD) in patients with a bicuspid aortic valve (BAV).  

Webinar speakers were:

• Evaldas Girdauskas, MD, PhD (University Hospital Augsburg, Augsburg, DE)
• Maria Grazia Andreassi, PhD (CNR Institute of Clinical Physiology, Pisa, IT)
• Steven Greenway, MD (University of Calgary, Calgary, CA)
• Calogera Pisano, MD (University of Tor Vergata, Rome, IT)

iPSC Models of Thoracic Aortopathies: Possibilities and Challenges

On October 26, 2022, a webinar titled, "iPSC Models of Thoracic Aortopathies: Possibilities and Challenges," provided state of the art examples of using induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells for modeling thoracic aortic disease in Loeys-Dietz syndrome and Marfan syndrome. The talks highlighted how pathological mechanisms can be investigated, new drug treatments tested, and importantly, the challenges and pitfalls to be aware of for those new to this field.

Webinar speakers are:

• Dogukan Mizrak, PhD (University of Michigan)
• Hongorzul Davaapil, PhD (University of Cambridge)

Machine learning and cardiovascular disease: New tools for diagnosis and clinical risk prediction

On June 14, 2022, Dr. James Priest (Stanford University) and Dr. James Pirruccello (Massachusetts General Hospital) presented on recent advances related to the application of artificial intelligence (AI) to improve our understanding of aortic diseases.

Biomechanical Factors Driving Thoracic Aortopathies Webinar

On February 9, 2022, Jonathan Weinsaft, M.D. (Cornell Medical) and Chiara Bellini, Ph.D. (Northeastern Bioengineering) highlighted recent advances in medical imaging-based assessments in patients of the hemodynamic loads imparted on the thoracic aorta and assessments of associated consequences on aortic wall integrity in humans as well as in multiple mouse models of thoracic aortic aneurysms.

Translation of Therapeutics from Mice to Men Webinar

On November 10, 2021, Dr. Mark Lindsay (Massachusetts General Hospital) and Dr. Mary Sheppard (University of Kentucky) discussed selected therapeutic strategies and current challenges in the development of medicines for Marfan syndrome.

Advances in the Treatment of Aortic Dissection Webinar

The GenTAC Alliance’s Patients, Families, & Clinicians Education Working Group presented a webinar on Advances in the Treatment of Aortic Dissection on May 12, 2021. The featured speakers were Dr. Marc Moon and Dr. Westley Ohman, from Washington University School of Medicine and Barnes Jewish Hospital.

COVID Webinar

On April 26, 2021, GenTAC Chair Dr. Kim Eagle provided a COVID-19 update for the Marfan, Loeys-Dietz, and VEDS community. Dr. Eagle was joined by Senior White House Advisor Dr. Marcella Nunez-Smith, who is Chair of the DHHS COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force, and pulmonologist Dr. Enid Neptune, from Johns Hopkins.

Mouse Model Genetics: The Significance of Genetic Background on Aortopathy Phenotype Webinar

In this webinar, Dr. Hal Dietz (Johns Hopkins Medicine) discusses the impact of genetic background on the vascular phenotype in mouse models of Marfan syndrome and Vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

Image Sharing Using Trice Cloud Platform Webinar

In this webinar, Dr. Siddharth Prakash (UTHealth) introduces the cloud sharing platform, Trice, and explains how users can leverage Trice to exchange images, and conduct collaborative projects more quickly and easily across the GenTAC Alliance.

Single Cell Sequencing Webinar

On May 21, 2020, Dr. Scott LeMaire (Baylor College of Medicine), Dr. Ying Shen (Baylor College of Medicine), Dr. George Tellides (Yale University), and Dr. Mo Wang (Yale University) delivered a webinar titled "Single Cell Sequencing."

Aortic Disease Awareness Week 2020: September 19-26

This year, Aortic Disease Awareness Week was expanded from Aortic Disease Awareness Day to put an enhanced focus on this potentially life-threatening condition. While the passion of the medical community and patient community remains the same, the initiative had a different look this year due to the pandemic. Click to view the full article.

2020 GenTAC Aortic Summit

Where: Virtual (everywhere)

When: On demand presentations being on September 29, 2020. Live sessions are on October 8 and 10, 2020

Registration is now open for the GenTAC Aortic Summit 2020, one of the premier meetings in the world focused on sharing knowledge and advancing research on genetic aortic disease. It is open to scientists, clinicians, institutions, organizations, and the general public interested in genetic aortic conditions. This year’s event will be virtual, with presentations on-demand beginning September 29 and live discussions on October 8 and 10.

E3 International Summit: Educating, Empowering, and Enriching Our Community

The Marfan Foundation and VASCERN, the European Reference Network, are pleased to announce that registration is now open for the first-ever E³ International Summit: Educating, Empowering, and Enriching Our Community. The online event will provide unique access to presentations and live question and answer sessions on Marfan, Loeys-Dietz, VEDS (vascular Ehlers-Danlos), Stickler syndrome, and other aortic conditions. Summit registration is free, but is required to participate in sessions. Several members of the GenTAC Alliance are featured speakers.

Over the course of three weeks – from August 25 through September 12 – the E³ Summit features nearly 70 presentations in six languages: English, Spanish, Italian, French, German, and Dutch. Presentations will include live and pre-recorded talks, along with live question and answer periods with the experts. Presentations commence at 12 noon Eastern Time and 7:30 pm Eastern Time to accommodate people in most parts of the world. The sessions are geared for patients and families; however, healthcare professionals are invited to participate as well.