 Dr. Clare Rebbeck, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, NY, USA Project title: miRNAs in the good vs the bad: myeloid cells in the tumor environment
Abstract: How a cancer evolves and progresses within an individual is governed by many factors, not only the errant tumor cells them selves but also the surrounding and the infiltrating cells. Myeloid cells are known to function as pro – tumor and anti-tumor depending on how the cell is activated. We plan to investigate how miRNAs are involved in this decision.
 Dr. Charles Vanderburg, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA Project title: CSF-derived miRNA profiling as a biomarker of Neurodegenerative Diseases
Abstract: Human Cerebrospinal fluid contains miRNAs which are stabilized due to their sequestration within exosomes. This has allowed us to generate disease-specific profiles of CSF-derived miRNAs for Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. We plan to use Exiqon’s suite of miRNA tools to establish well-validated biomarkers for these neurodegenerative diseases.
 Dr. Sara Larriba, Human Molecular Genetics Group, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), Barcelona, Spain Project title: Profiling miRNA expression of spermatozoa in male infertility: Defining the fertility potential of sperm
Abstract: Recent evidences have shown that sperm transcriptome could reflect the fertilizing quality of spermatozoa; however the role of miRNAs in the regulation of spermatozoa gene expression has yet to be determined. We aim to identify miRNAs differentially expressed in male infertility of idiopathic origin contributing to the task of defining potential genetic markers for predicting the fecundity ability of spermatozoa.
 Dr. Muthuswamy Balasubramanyam, Madras Diabetes Research Foundation, India Project title: Exploring ‘UrinomiRs’ as biomarker of diabetic nephropathy
Abstract: There is an unmet clinical need to discover biomarkers other than microalbuminuria in predicting the development of nephropathy in patients with diabetes. miRNA signatures from body fluids have been shown associated not only with the disease but also the severity of disease. Our project aims to harness the power of the miRNA profiling to explore the biomarker potential of urine-based miRNAs (‘UrinomiRs’) in predicting the development of diabetic nephropathy.
 Dr. Johannes Grillari, BOKU, Vienna, Austria Project title: Serum microRNAs as biomarkers for osteoporosis
Abstract: So far no serum based biomarker has reached clinical application, and the currently best accepted diagnostic method is expensive and time consuming analysis of bone mineral density. Using Exiqon miRNA qPCR arrays we will therefore test levels of miRNAs in serum of osteoporosis patients versus age matched healthy controls. At the end we will have proof-of-principle if miRNAs are easy accessible novel biomarkers of osteoporosis and frailty.
 Dr. Serena Lucotti, Institute of Clinical Physiology, CNR, Pisa, Italy Project title: Circulating miRNAs as novel biomarkers of the efficacy of chemotherapeutic drugs
Abstract: Circulating miRNAs may represent potential indicators of the therapeutic efficacy of a drug. We plan to analyze the expression profile of extracellular miRNAs in the growth medium of prostate cancer cells treated with an antiproliferative drug. Our goal is to verify whether cytotoxicity correlates with the release of specific miRNAs and to clarify if the extracellular miRNAs play a role in cell-to-cell communication.
 Dr. Viviana Bumaschny, INGEBI (CONICET) and University of Buenos Aires, Argentina Project title: Identification of miRNAs involved in hypothalamic energy balance control
Abstract: Obesity is a chronic metabolic disorder affecting almost half a billion people that predisposes to type II diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. The hypothalamus regulates body energy balance by controlling food intake and energy expenditure. The general purpose of this study is to identify hypothalamic miRNAs that control genes involved in energy balance and to elucidate their normal physiological roles and participation in the etiology and perpetuation of obesity.
 Dr. Richard Keijzer, University of Manitoba and Manitoba Institute of Child Health, Canada Project title: MicroRNAs and nanoparticles: exploring a prenatal therapeutic intervention for congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH).
Abstract: Babies with CDH have abnormal diaphragm and lung development resulting in a high mortality and morbidity. The pathogenesis is poorly understood, but our pilot studies show that microRNAs play an important role. Improved prenatal detection has resulted in an opportunity to modulate the natural outcome. This proposal aims to explore the use of nanoparticles to deliver microRNAs as a new prenatal therapeutic intervention for pulmonary hypoplasia and CDH.
 Dr. Carolyn Klinge, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, USA Project title: Dehydroepiandrosterone regulates microRNA expression in breast cancer cells
Abstract: miRNAs are dysregulated in breast cancer. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is an important precursor for testosterone and estrogens in postmenopausal women and is also used as an over-the-counter anti-aging remedy. No one has examined how DHEA regulates miRNAs in breast cancer. We will identify miRNAs regulated by DHEA in human breast cancer cells and compare these results to estradiol-regulated miRNAs in the same cells.
 Dr. Hanjoong Jo, Emory University, GA, USA Project title:To identify the functional role of flow-sensitive miRNAs in atherosclerosis
Abstract: Atherosclerosis preferentially occurs at areas of disturbed flow in branched or curved arteries. In contrast, arterial regions that are exposed to stable flow are well-protected from atherosclerosis. Expression of miRNAs in endothelial cells are regulated by different flow conditions. We aim to determine the mechanisms by which flow-sensitive miRNAs regulate atherosclerosis by using LNA-based anti-miRNAs.
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