Caltech and City of Hope Biomedical Research Initiative: Partners in Innovation

Location: City of Hope, Argyros Auditorium, 1500 E. Duarte Rd., Duarte, CA 91010

Cures for cancer, diabetes, HIV, cardiovascular disease and other serious life-threatening conditions are now closer, thanks to dedicated researchers like those at City of Hope and the California Institute of Technology. For nearly a decade, researchers from these eminent institutions have combined their expertise in a unique and fruitful partnership to tackle problems and develop solutions addressing the world's most complex diseases.

SEATING FOR THIS PROGRAM IS LIMITED. Kindly reply by September 13, 2016 to Karen Payne at (626) 395‑2928 or [email protected]. Parking is available in the Visitor Parking Lot A. Enter at City of Hope's main entrance. Shuttles provided to and from auditorium.

P R O G R A M    I N F O R M A T I O N

This year's symposium highlights two projects that illustrate just how exciting this collaboration in research can be.

PERFECTING PERSONALIZED THERAPY

The cancer world is abuzz with the potential of personalized therapy. Giving the right drug or combination of drugs to hone in on an individual's unique cancer profile greatly increases the likelihood of cure. But it requires knowing exactly what type of cancer cells are hiding inside the tumor—something that can be best attacked using today's newest, cutting-edge techniques. Dr. Mei Kong and Dr. Viviana Gradinaru have found a better way to see inside a tumor that allows them to identify cells that may turn cancerous or metastasize by using a method, called PACT (Passive CLARITY), to make cancerous tissue transparent. Their work brings hope that effective treatment can be individualized for every patient.

Mei Kong, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Cancer Biology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope

Viviana Gradinaru, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology

YOUR FUTURE IS CALLING

Survivors of childhood cancer often face a second battle when they develop heart failure caused by their cancer treatment. The earlier heart-failure interventions are started, the better their chance of living a full, healthy life. Dr. Saro Armenian and Dr. Morteza Gharib have developed an iPhone app that will allow childhood cancer survivors to check their own heart health as often as they wish, and relay that information back to their physicians. This innovative study uses telemedicine to help childhood cancer survivors seek help without delay.

Saro Armenian, D.O., MPH, Associate Professor, Department of Populations Sciences, Director, Childhood Cancer Survivorship Clinic, City of Hope

Morteza (Mory) Gharib, Ph.D., Director, Graduate Aerospace Laboratories, Hans W. Liepmann Professor of Aeronautics and Bioinspired Engineering, California Institute of Technology