The 2020 UW Center for Translational Muscle Research (CTMR) Annual Symposium will be held online Nov. 30 (12:00-5:00 pm) and Dec. 1 (8 am – 12:00 pm). The symposium will feature:
- Keynote address by Dr. Elizabeth McNally
- Talks by CTMR pilot grant awardees and investigators
- Panel discussions with clinicians and leaders from centers and institutes supporting research and development
- Lightning talks by trainees
The CTMR is directed by Mike Regnier, professor and interim chair of the Department of Bioengineering.
The complete symposium schedule is available here:
2020-UW-CTMR-Annual-Symposium-Schedule
Registration is required. Please complete the online registration form.
The registration confirmation email will contain a Zoom link for joining the Symposium sessions.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Elizabeth McNally, MD, PhD
Director, Center for Genetic Medicine
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
“Genetic Pathways for Cardiomyopathy: Rare and Common Variation”
November 30, 2020 at 12:00 pm
Abstract: Genetic mutations lead to inherited forms of cardiomyopathy like hypertrophic and dilated cardiomyopathy. Mutations that cause inherited cardiomyopathies are rare in the general population, consistent with the rare nature of these disorders and the genetic heterogeneity that underlies their inheritance. Common genetic variants associated with heart failure and left ventricular dysfunction have also been described, but these high frequency variants have a relatively small effect size. I will discuss intermediate frequency genetic variants for their role in causing cardiomyopathy. I will also discuss how genetic information found in biobanks can be used to identify those at risk. Lastly, I will talk about how we begin to dissect noncoding variation linked to heart failure.
Elizabeth McNally is a physician and scientist who directs the Center for Genetic Medicine at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine. As the Elizabeth J. Ward Professor of Genetic Medicine, Dr. McNally is a cardiologist with expertise in cardiovascular genetics. Her work focuses on understanding genetic mechanisms of myopathic disorders that affect the heart. By developing a deeper understanding as to how these genetic mutations exert their effects, she is using these genetic signals to drive the development of new therapies. Dr. McNally has a special interest in neuromuscular genetic diseases like muscular dystrophy since often these disorders have accompanying cardiovascular complications. Her translational accomplishments have been recognized through an award from the Burroughs Wellcome Foundation and as a recipient a Distinguished Clinical Scientist Award from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation. She serves on the Advisory Boards for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy, and is the Vice Chair for the Council on Basic Cardiovascular Sciences of the American Heart Association. She is a past president of American Society for Clinical Investigation and a member of the Association of American Physicians. She is the founder of Ikaika Therapeutics.