ΘΕΜΑ: Reminder: IMBB - ICS Open Lecture - Ulka VIJAPURKAR,
July 2nd 2014 @ 13:30
ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΕΑΣ: Maria Stiakaki - IMBB Secretariat
[mailto:mariast@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
IMBB - ICS OPEN LECTURE
Paramet
Summer School - Computational Sciences in Drug Discovery
Ulka
VIJAPURKAR
Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic
Diseases
Department of Pathology, University of California San Francisco
Title: "Principles
of Drug Development: Discovery and Development of a small molecule inhibitor to
a kinase target for oncology".
Wednesday, July 2nd 2014
@ 13:30 (note that the lecture starts exactly at 13:30)
Seminar Room 1, FORTH's bldg
Information: Inga
Siden-Kiamos (inga@xxxxxxxxxxxxx),
Ioannis Tsamardinos (tsamard@xxxxxxxxxxxx)
Abstract:
In the last few years there has been an intense effort towards the development
of small molecule inhibitors targeting various nodes of the PI3K/mTOR signaling
pathways with several currently undergoing clinical evaluation as anti-cancer
agents. mTOR, a component of two protein complexes mTORC1 and mTORC2, is a
critical target in the PI3K/Akt signaling axis and a central nexus integrating
PI3K, MAPK and other signaling pathways. It controls various aspects of cell
physiology, most importantly, regulation of translation. It is a clinically
validated target with allosteric mTORC1 inhibitors, rapamycin and its analogs,
having been approved for several indications. Second generation kinase
inhibitors of mTOR, which target both the mTORC 1 and 2 complexes, are in
clinical development and have the potential to be more potent anti-cancer
drugs. However their clinical efficacy and clinical niche remains to be
determined.
In my lecture I will discuss the development of a small molecule kinase
inhibitor of the mTOR protein. I will discuss investigation of its mechanism of
action, studies to identify biomarkers of sensitivity to mTOR inhibition that
would help to prioritize indications for its clinical development and lastly,
combination strategies with inhibitors of upstream or parallel signaling nodes
such as PI3K or MAPK that could have implications for rational combinations
strategies in the clinic for selected patient populations.
I will discuss this specific project within the context of the preclinical drug
development process and my experience working with cross-functional project
teams such as chemistry, assay development, pharmacology and clinical in a
biotechnology industry environment. I will end the lecture with a brief
discussion from a personal perspective on the role of women in science and industry
and challenges faced by many in the quest to balance life and family with
demanding careers.
Short Bio:
Dr. Vijapurkar received her Ph.D. in molecular
pharmacology from the University of Iowa, Iowa city, U.S.A. After completing
her post-doctoral fellowship from the University of California, San Francisco
she moved to the biotech industry and was a research scientist at
Genentech/Roche for several years. Currently she is adjunct Professor at the
University of San Francisco, where she teaches advanced physiology,
pharmacogentics and molecular medicine to students in the M.S. Biotech program.
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