Last week (24 February) the Cambridge Stem Cell Institute Technology and Innovation Forum (SCI-TIF), hosted a Hot Topic event on Stem Cell Competition as a Driver of Premalignancy and Cancer event at the AstraZeneca Discovery Centre (DISC). The event brought together leading researchers and professionals to explore the role of stem cell competition in driving the evolution of cancer. The event was hosted alongside the Gurdon Institute, AstraZeneca, and the CRUK Cancer Centre Fundamental Biology of Cancer Programme.
The day began with morning talks from renowned researchers including Dr Maria Alcolea (Cambridge Stem Cell Institute), Dr Caroline Watson (Early Cancer Institute), Dr Saskia Suijkerbuijk (Utrecht University), and Professor Trevor Graham (Institute of Cancer Research). This session was followed by a networking lunch to foster connections between researchers and discussions among participants.
The afternoon sessions featured flash talks and panel discussion sessions which delved into the topics of stem cell fitness, underlying mechanisms, and potential therapeutic interventions. An exclusive tour of the DISC was offered to attendees, allowing the researchers to view the new building and facilities at the new AstraZeneca building, which opened recently.
The keynote address, presented by Dr Peter Campbell (formerly Wellcome Sanger Institute and current CSO at Quotient Therapeutics), discussed recent groundbreaking insights from his research, which focuses on the genetic changes that cells acquire throughout the life cycle, and how the mutations are related to ageing, cancer, and other disease processes.
The day concluded with a networking session, where attendees enjoyed food, drinks, and conversation. In attendance were SCI-TIF members: AstraZeneca, Bio-Techne,Cytiva, Grant Instruments, ONI, Proteintech and Qkine.
Professor Bertie Göttgens, Director of Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, said of the event, “Unravelling the functional and molecular heterogeneity of stem cells is a key research theme across the Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, as well as the wider stem cell field. Bringing together the community for this SCI-TIF event emphasized to me how a deeper understanding of the underlying processes will not only help us to better explain how cancer comes about, but also offer new avenues for future therapies.”
Dr Andrew Reynolds, Senior Director Scientist at AstraZeneca, said, “Competition between cells that are more or less fit than their neighbours is emerging as an important process in precancer and cancer development. In this symposium, we heard from some of the leaders in this field and discussed the implications for future therapeutic approaches. It was a great opportunity for researchers from different disciplines to connect and discuss ideas.”
Photos from the event from top left: SCI-TIF members tabling at the event; Dr Peter Campbell's Keynote talk; Professor Elisa Laurenti; Dr Saskia Sujikerbujik; Professor Trevor Graham; Professor Ben Simons and attendees at networking session.
Image credit: Greg Palmer