Latest ‘Inside Innovation’ Examines Stem Cells’ Role in Causing (and Fighting) Cancer

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The next presentation in UC San Diego’s “Inside Innovation” series features Dr. Catriona Jamieson speaking on “Detection and Therapeutic Targeting of Cancer Stem Cell Evolution.”

The free and public presentation will be held 4-6 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 17, in Roth Auditorium at the Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, 2880 Torrey Pines Scenic Drive. A networking reception will follow.

Sponsored by the Office of Research Affairs and the Office of Innovation and Commercialization, the “Inside Innovation” presentations feature the latest innovation technologies by UC San Diego, with opportunities for participants to get an inside look at what’s happening in university labs, explore commercialization opportunities, and inquire about licensing.

Catriona Jamieson, M.D., Ph.D., is Associate Professor of Medicine in the Division of Hematology-Oncology, Chief of the Division of Regenerative Medicine, Deputy Director of the Sanford Stem Cell Clinical Center, Co-Leader of the Hematologic Malignancies Program, and Director of Stem Cell Research at the Moores UCSD Cancer Center.

She specializes in myeloproliferative disorders and leukemia. Myeloproliferative neoplasms are a family of uncommon but not rare degenerative disorders in which the body overproduces blood cells. Myeloproliferative neoplasms can cause many forms of blood clotting, including heart attack, stroke, deep venous thrombosis, and pulmonary emboli, and can develop into acute myelogenous leukemia. Although some effective treatments are available, they are laden with serious side effects. In addition, individuals can become resistant to the treatments.

Jamieson studies the mutant stem cells and progenitor cells in myeloproliferative neoplasms. These cells can give rise to cancer stem cells. Cancer stem cells may lie low to evade chemotherapy and then activate again later, causing disease progression and resistance to treatment. Her goal is to find more selective, less toxic therapies.

“The ‘Inside Innovation’ presentations introduce UC San Diego research which has real-world applications and often commercial potential,” said Ruben Flores, Director of Commercialization at UC San Diego. “We hope our community and business partners, as well as the general public, will attend and gain valuable insight into how ideas can move to market.”

Register, and get more information about the event, here.