Manitoba Neuroscience Network

2014/2015 Seminar & Visiting Speaker Series

Date: Friday, April 24th 2015 Time: 9:00 a.m.

Location: PX236/238 PsycHealth Bldg., Bannatyne Campus

Thomas Klonisch MD, PhD

Professor & Head, Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science

Director of Histomorphology & Ultrastructural Imaging;

Director of the Glioma Cell Resource;

Professor, Depts. Surgery and Medical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases

(cross-appointed), University of Manitoba;

Honorary Professor, Shantou University Medical College, Guangdong Province, China

Topic: High Mobility Group A2 (HMGA2): Amphetamine for Cancer

Two major challenges in the research on high grade glioblastoma (GB) are their cell plasticity resulting in a high degree of tumor heterogeneity and the ability of GB cells to colonize the entire brain. As a consequence and despite decades of therapeutic trials, GB remains an incurable fatal disease. I am interested in discovering cellular defense mechanisms GB tumors mount to successfully

neutralize therapeutic intervention. As part of a larger team of basic and clinical scientists, I utilize human cell and animal models to better understand the molecular and signaling pathways and identify weaknesses in the armor of GB that can be exploited therapeutically. Stem cell factor High Mobility Group A2 (HMGA2) is one of a few promising targets currently under investigation in my lab. We and others showed that HMGA2 has key roles in stem cell renewal, chemoresistance, proliferation and tissue invasion.

The ultimate goal of my research is to develop targeted therapeutic strategies to aid the development of new efficacious treatments that ideally cure or at least extend the quality of life of patients with GB.

Websites: http://umanitoba.ca/faculties/health_sciences/medicine/units/anatomy/894 6.html

For more information:

Eftekhar Eftekharpour Coordinator, MNN Seminar Series

E: eftekhar.eftekharpour@umanitoba.ca

T: 204-789-3214

Kelly Jorundson Winnipeg Chapter Society for Neuroscience R4046 - 351 Tache Avenue Winnipeg, MB R2H 2A6

Tel: 204.235.3939 Fax: 204.237.4092 Email: kjorund@sbrc.ca OR kjorund@yahoo.ca

Website: www.sfn-manitoba.ca