Gene targeting therapies continue to expand the horizon for diagnosing and treating a range of inherited and acquired diseases, with Western Australian researchers making an impressive contribution to this advance.
Nucleic acids, cellular compounds which have a key role in the storage and expression of the body’s genomic data, are a major area of research within this rapidly growing field and will be the theme of a scientific meeting in Perth in November.
The 3rd International Symposium ‘Functional Nucleic Acids: From Laboratory to Targeted Molecular Therapy’ will take place from 23-24 November 2023 at Murdoch University.
It will feature presentations from world-renowned experts from industry and academia including RNA drug development experts, chemical biologists, molecular geneticists and biochemists.
The Conference Chair is Associate Professor Rakesh Veedu, a McCusker Fellow at Western Australia’s Perron Institute and leader of the Precision Nucleic Acid Therapeutics research team at the Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics, Murdoch University.
“Nucleic acids are the building blocks for genetic information in cells,” said Associate Professor Veedu.
“Increasing knowledge of nucleic acid structures and interactions is having a considerable influence on the design of novel drugs for a growing range of diseases.
“A magnificent example here in WA, is the development of three gene-patching drugs through the pioneering research of Professors Steve Wilton and Sue Fletcher at Perron Institute and Murdoch University to treat Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
“These therapies have been licensed through Sarepta Therapeutics and have regulatory approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration. We are building on this technology and developing more therapies for various conditions.
“The International Symposium will focus on the chemistry and biology of nucleic acids and their further potential for therapeutic and diagnostic applications.
“We look forward to welcoming many distinguished participants, among them American biochemist Professor Marvin Caruthers who, in the 1980s, pioneered chemical synthesis of DNA, a breakthrough that dramatically advanced biological research and helped launch the biotechnology industry.”
The Chief Scientist of Western Australia, Professor Peter Klinken will open the conference. Professor Caruthers (University of Colorado) and Dr Muthiah (Mano) Manoharan (Alnylam Pharmaceuticals) will provide the opening Keynote lectures.
See the program and register for the symposium here.