Epigenetics is a new emerging field in genetics and refers to changes in gene expressions which are not due to changes in the underlying DNA structure. Such changes can survive multiple generations of cell division and can be caused by environmental factors or they can be passed through heredity. Epigenetics can explain the differentiation of cells which have the same genetic material (e.g skin cells and eye cells), or the differences between identical twins.
Epigenetics is fast becoming a fertile ground for new innovations in pharmaceutical research and some life saving drugs are already in the market.
Dr. Larry Marton, Chief Scientific Officer at Progen Pharmaceuticals and a world renown expert in the field and a great speaker will give an introductory talk on the subject and will explain its ramification to the future of drug development as well as the investment opportunities in this area.
Title: "Unlocking the Epigenetic Code: Overview & Investment Landscape and Opportunities"
8:30PM-9:00PM
Poster Session /
Networking
SPEAKER
BIOGRAPHY
Dr. Laurence Marton Cheif Scientific Officer, Progen Pharmaceuticals
Prior to joining Progen in early 2008, Dr Laurence Marton was the Chief Scientific Officer of Cellgate, Inc and before that Chief Scientific and Medical Officer of SLIL Biomedical Corporation. Both of these companies focused on the discovery and development of novel polyamine analogs and other compounds for the treatment of cancer and other serious diseases. Dr Marton co-founded SLIL and served as a director.
Prior to SLIL, Dr Marton was Dean of the University of Wisconsin-Madison Medical School and before that Chaired the Department of Laboratory Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco. He is a leading expert with extensive experience in the fields of cell growth and drug development. His work is focused on the use of polyamines in treating human diseases related to aberrant cell growth, including cancer and infectious diseases. His research has resulted in more than 180 original publications, 60 scientific reviews and chapters, four books, numerous patents, and his work has been acknowledged internationally.
Dr Marton serves as a consultant for industry and for governmental and academic institutions. He serves on the Board of the Foundation for the California Heart Center and was previously appointed by the Governor of Wisconsin to the Wisconsin Technology Council. Dr Marton received his BA from Yeshiva University and his MD from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine.
