Overview
The Hematologic Malignancies (HEM) research program focuses on advancing our understanding of molecular pathogenesis and treatment of leukemias and lymphomas. The mission of HEM Program is to develop functional biomarkers of response in hematologic malignancies and to develop novel drug, biologic, and cellular immune therapies. HEM program’s goal is to further elucidate the molecular pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma. Examination of the differences between neoplastic cells, particularly at the stem and progenitor cell level, with their normal counterparts has provided important insights into the molecular and biochemical features that define the malignant phenotype. In addition, research on genetic and epigenetic alterations within pre-malignant and malignant lesions has provided vital insights into the blueprint of the molecular features that contribute to disease development and progression.
Together with research on biochemical factors that govern cell cycle progression, cellular differentiation, response to injury, self-renewal, and programmed cell death, investigators are identifying molecular pathways and/or hematologic malignancy-associated antigens that could be targeted by antineoplastic drugs and/or immune therapy while sparing their normal cellular counterparts.
The HEM Program has 39 members across 10 departments and 2 schools with a wide range of cancer-relevant scientific disciplines and interests. The distinct clinical expertise of HEM members is bolstered by translational research of MCC scientists relevant to the focus of HEM and the goals of MCC, which are predicated on predicting and preventing cancer progression and relapse.
Program Goals
The overarching goal of the HEM Program is to understand the underlying mechanisms for development of hematologic malignancies, test novel therapies, and explore ways to improve patient outcomes.
To achieve its objective, the HEM Program has three specific aims to:
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Identify somatic DNA mutations, coding and alterations in non-coding RNA splicing and editing, ribosomal regulation and signaling as well as phenotypic alterations in hematologic malignancies.
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Generate accurate models of hematologic malignancies to improve understanding of the pathogenesis of disease.
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Test promising new approaches through clinical trials for hematologic malignancies.
Meetings & Events
The following list includes events and seminars of notable interest to the Hematology Program and its members. Please look for the Upcoming HEM Events list on the right edge of this page; this list is updated automatically and may be added to your Outlook or Google calendars.
HEM PRogram Events
Seminars, lectures, and other programmatic meetings led by the HEM Program. Expand the panels for schedules, locations, webinar links, and more information.
Weekly, Schedule TBD
Pipeline updates, active trials updates, and discussions about other related Alpha Clinic activities, Monthly Division
Audience: CIRM UCSD Alpha Clinic Members, Alpha Clinic Experts, UCSD Faculty & Staff, potential trial collaborators, HEM
Website:
Stem Cell Events Calendar
Annual, date TBD
Pipeline updates, active trials updates, and discussions about other related Alpha Clinic activities.
Audience: CIRM Alpha Clinic Site, HEM
Website:
Stem Cell Events Calendar
Monthly, first or second Monday of each month (check website), 3-4pm
Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine Conference Room 1013A/B
Monthly speakers present their latest research and clinical advances on stem cells and regenerative medicine to promote improved strategies and methodologies.
Audience: DRM Faculty and Staff, HEM
Website:
DRM Seminar Series
Annually in March
Sanford Consortium
Developments in regenerative medicine, Stem Cell Clinical Trials Panel Discussion, Cancer Stem Cell Discussion
Audience: UCSD Faculty and Staff, Salk, Sanford Burnham, local biotech, general public, HEM
Website:
The Sanford Stem Cell Symposium
Monthly, second Thursday of the month, 9:30am
Sanford Consortium, Duane Roth Auditorium
The monthly Stem Cell Seminar Series brings scientists from all over the world to the forefront of regenerative medicine and emphasizes the basic research and translational themes of stem cell research.
Audience: UCSD Faculty and Staff, Salk, Sanford Burnham, local biotech, general public, HEM
Website:
The Sanford Stem Cell Symposium
Multi-program Events
Programs, Symposia, Lectures, and training activities of interest to the HEM Program community:
September 2020, date TBD, Salk Institute
The annual Usha Mahajani symposium, now in its 30th year, is a collaborative project between UCSD, Salk, and Sanford-Burnham Prebys Institutes. The symposium, held annually, is generally attended by 250-300 senior investigators, post docs and graduate students in academia and biotech. The most recent symposium was held on September 6, 2019.
Contact:
CMM Meetings, 619-299-6673
Website:
mahajanisymposium.com
Bi-monthly meetings on the first Tuesday of the month
In collaboration with LJI, the San Diego Center for Precision Immunotherapy (SDCPI) was formally recognized and established as an academic center at UC San Diego. SDCPI is co-directed by Ezra Cohen (STT) and Stephen Schoenberger (STT) of LJI. The center aims to accelerate and translate scientific advances in immunology and to develop and implement novel personalized cancer immunotherapies for patients.
Contact:
Amy Hart, 858-246-3156
August 2020, date TBD, Salk Institute
The mission of C3 is to leverage the collaborative opportunities offered by the existence of one of the only 46 NCI-designated comprehensive cancer centers (MCC) and two of the only 7 NCI-designated basic research cancer centers (Salk Institute for Biological Studies and Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute) in the same city. Consistent with this mission, C3's primary function is to provide an ongoing forum for advancing cancer prevention and control, screening and therapy vis enhancing the interactions and collaborations among the three NCI-designated Cancer Centers in San Diego, as well as promoting interactions with other public and private sector organizations in San Diego.
Contact:
Raluca Ciochina
September 2020, date TBD, Salk Institute
The annual Usha Mahajani symposium, now in its 30th year, is a collaborative project between UCSD, Salk, and Sanford-Burnham Prebys Institutes. The symposium, held annually, is generally attended by 250-300 senior investigators, post docs and graduate students in academia and biotech. The most recent symposium was held on September 6, 2019.
Contact:
CMM Meetings, 619-299-6673
Website:
mahajanisymposium.com
October 14-16, 2020, Park Hyatt Aviara in Carlsbad
The Cell & Gene Meeting on the Mesa is a three-day conference combining discussions between key opinion leaders, senior executives and top academic researchers. The program also includes 70+ presentations by the field’s most promising companies and 35 poster abstracts by leading scientists from around the globe.
Contact:
Laura Stringham
Website:
meetingonthemesa.com
October 2020, date TBD, Sanford Consortium
The Science Retreat Committee (Gutkind (CBS), Martinez (CCP), Cohen (STT), Goodman (Administration)) invites speakers in areas targeted for strategic development/growth. Selected MCC speakers and poster presentations by senior and/or junior lab members, in conjunction with presentations and oral defense of collaborative Pilot Projects are included in the agenda. The retreat had 160 attendees from the 5 CCSG programs and 6 institutions: LJI, Ludwig, Salk, SDSU, SBP, and UCSD. 22 speakers; 33 poster presentations; graduate students, postdocs and scientists in CCSG labs; 22 C3 pilot applications submitted, 8 selected for competition.
Contact:
Raluca Ciochina
November 2020, date TBD, Altman CTRI Auditorium
The Head and Neck Cancer Retreat brings together leading scientists and clinicians from UCSD, Salk, Sanford Burnham Prebys Cancer Center.
Contact:
Tia Smith
November 2020, date TBD, Altman CTRI Auditorium
The Head and Neck Cancer Retreat brings together leading scientists and clinicians from UCSD, Salk, Sanford Burnham Prebys Cancer Center.
Contact:
Tia Smith
November 2020, date TBD, Altman CTRI Auditorium
The Head and Neck Cancer Retreat brings together leading scientists and clinicians from UCSD, Salk, Sanford Burnham Prebys Cancer Center.
Contact:
Tia Smith
November 2020, date TBD, Altman CTRI Auditorium
The Head and Neck Cancer Retreat brings together leading scientists and clinicians from UCSD, Salk, Sanford Burnham Prebys Cancer Center.
Contact:
Tia Smith
November 2020, date TBD, Altman CTRI Auditorium
The Head and Neck Cancer Retreat brings together leading scientists and clinicians from UCSD, Salk, Sanford Burnham Prebys Cancer Center.
Contact:
Tia Smith
November 2020, date TBD, Altman CTRI Auditorium
The Head and Neck Cancer Retreat brings together leading scientists and clinicians from UCSD, Salk, Sanford Burnham Prebys Cancer Center.
Contact:
Tia Smith
November 2020, date TBD, Altman CTRI Auditorium
The Head and Neck Cancer Retreat brings together leading scientists and clinicians from UCSD, Salk, Sanford Burnham Prebys Cancer Center.
Contact:
Tia Smith
November 2020, date TBD, Altman CTRI Auditorium
The Head and Neck Cancer Retreat brings together leading scientists and clinicians from UCSD, Salk, Sanford Burnham Prebys Cancer Center.
Contact:
Tia Smith
November 2020, date TBD, Altman CTRI Auditorium
The Head and Neck Cancer Retreat brings together leading scientists and clinicians from UCSD, Salk, Sanford Burnham Prebys Cancer Center.
Contact:
Tia Smith