Wednesday mornings this summer, the New York Genome Center (NYGC) will host a superb line-up of Five Points Lectures, bringing outstanding scientists from near and far to discuss fresh and diverse genomic research, in technical detail, with New York’s researchers and clinicians.
On 8 July, Omar Abdel-Wahab (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center) and Robert Bradley (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center) team up to explain newfound roles for RNA splicing in tumor development, focusing on how splicing factor SRSF2 governs the fate of blood cells.
On 22 July, the Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine’s Jacques Bancherau explores how vaccines prompt immune cells respond to read more or less of particular versions of genes, in training them to ward off pathogens.
On 29 July, Stony Brook University’s Brenna Henn surveys the genomes of people worldwide, to learn how many harmful DNA spellings we tend to carry, and what, in turn, they say about our history and health.
On 5 August, Washington University’s Elaine Mardis probes fresh findings from the genomes of tumor cells, to understand how mutations let particular tissues grow out of control, and, often, resist current cancer treatments.
On 26 August, the University of California-Berkeley’s Lior Pachter walks listeners through new algorithms to quickly and accurately pseudoalign short-read sequence data, to robustly streamline analysis of gene expression data.
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About the Five Points Lectures
Named for an early Manhattan crossroads – remembered as a rowdy but cosmopolitan gathering place, and nexus for progress in public health – the Five Points Lectures bring outstanding scientists from near and far, to discuss their work in technical detail with researchers and clinicians from institutions served by NYGC, in order to strengthen our grasp of key biological questions and methods. Speakers present fresh and intriguing findings, along with thoughtful views on their respective fields, in full scientific depth. Talks last roughly 45 minutes — often framing five or so key points, in a nod to the series’ name — followed by 15 minutes of open Q&A, and 30 minutes of informal chat over refreshments. Speakers may then meet with one or several attending colleagues, for further discussion. The Five Point Lectures thus complement NYGC’s monthly Evening Talks, which address listeners of more varied expertise, including layfolk.
About the New York Genome Center
The New York Genome Center (NYGC) is an independent, nonprofit at the forefront of transforming biomedical research and clinical care with the mission of saving lives. As a consortium of renowned academic, medical and industry leaders across the globe, NYGC focuses on translating genomic research into clinical solutions for serious disease. Our member organizations and partners are united in this unprecedented collaboration of technology, science, and medicine. We harness the power of innovation and discoveries to improve people’s lives — ethically, equitably, and urgently. Member institutions include: Albert Einstein College of Medicine, American Museum of Natural History, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Columbia University, Cornell University/Weill Cornell Medical College, Hospital for Special Surgery, The Jackson Laboratory, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York- Presbyterian Hospital, The New York Stem Cell Foundation, New York University, North Shore-LIJ, The Rockefeller University, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Stony Brook University and IBM.
