Fox Chase Cancer Center to Hold Free Virtual Symposium on Cancer Epigenetics

PHILADELPHIA (February 1, 2021)—Fox Chase Cancer Center will host a virtual symposium on cancer epigenetics on March 2 that will explore discoveries related to epigenetic mechanisms of tumorigenesis and novel therapies to better target cancer.  

“The goal of this free virtual cancer epigenetics meeting is to provide access for all scientists who are either focused on the area of epigenetics or interested in epigenetics to hear more about ongoing discoveries,” said Johnathan R. Whetstine, PhD, professor and program co-leader of the Cancer Signaling and Epigenetics Program at Fox Chase.

“We aim for this meeting to provide an educational opportunity for trainees, faculty, and researchers in academics or industry to come together for a one-day event to celebrate discoveries in cancer epigenetics,” he added. Whetstine previously organized the 2017 Keystone Symposia on Molecular and Cellular Biology, which focused on epigenetics and human disease.

The program Whetstine leads at Fox Chase includes basic, translational, and clinical research components, all dedicated to better understanding epigenetic regulation in cancer. The findings that result from these efforts will help to improve diagnosis, prognosis, and outcomes for various malignancies.

Below is a list of international speakers from renowned research institutes who will be participating in the event. They will cover recent findings impacting nucleic acid modulation to genome organization, chromatin control and therapeutic implications, as well as the development of novel epigenetic molecules to interrogate biological processes.

  • Margaret “Peggy” Goodell, PhD: Baylor College of Medicine
  • Mark Dawson, MBBS (Hons), BMedSci, FRACP, FRCPA, PhD (Cantb): University of Melbourne
  • Cheryl Arrowsmith, PhD: University of Toronto and Princess Margaret Cancer Centre
  • Sharon Y.R. Dent, PhD: The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
  • Peter A. Jones, PhD, DSc (hon): Van Andel Institute
  • Kristian Helin, PhD: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
  • Tony Kouzarides: FMedSci, FRS, University of Cambridge
  • Ari M. Melnick, MD: Weill Cornell Medicine
  • Jane Skok, PhD: NYU Grossman School of Medicine
  • Cigall Kadoch, PhD: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School

“I believe the virtual meet-the-speaker session will add an opportunity for trainees and faculty to interact in this unique era of virtual meetings,” said Whetstine. “I am a fan of making meetings more available to all who are interested. I hope this virtual event provides colleagues across the globe a chance to hear about and participate in topics they are interested in learning more about.” 

The symposium will be held Tuesday, March 2 from 8:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; it is free to attend but registration is required. To register, go to FoxChase.org/EpigeneticsSymposium. 

Fox Chase Cancer Center (Fox Chase), which includes the Institute for Cancer Research and the American Oncologic Hospital and is a part of Temple Health, is one of the leading comprehensive cancer centers in the United States. Founded in 1904 in Philadelphia as one of the nation’s first cancer hospitals, Fox Chase was also among the first institutions to be designated a National Cancer Institute Comprehensive Cancer Center in 1974. Fox Chase is also one of just 10 members of the Alliance of Dedicated Cancer Centers. Fox Chase researchers have won the highest awards in their fields, including two Nobel Prizes. Fox Chase physicians are also routinely recognized in national rankings, and the Center’s nursing program has received the Magnet recognition for excellence six consecutive times. Today, Fox Chase conducts a broad array of nationally competitive basic, translational, and clinical research, with special programs in cancer prevention, detection, survivorship, and community outreach. It is the policy of Fox Chase Cancer Center that there shall be no exclusion from, or participation in, and no one denied the benefits of, the delivery of quality medical care on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, disability, age, ancestry, color, national origin, physical ability, level of education, or source of payment.

For more information, call 888-369-2427