Photo/media opportunity 10.30am, Sunday 11 November, Westpark conference centre, Perth Road, Dundee. Professor Sir David Lane, Karen Vousden and Dr David Meek will be available for interview.
Cancer scientists from all over the world will flock to the University of Dundee this weekend (10- 12 November) - drawn there by a rising sense of excitement at the potential power of a single protein in combating cancer.
Professor Sir David Lane will be chairing the event which has drawn some of cancer research's biggest international names including keynote speaker Karen Vousden from Maryland, USA and Jan-Michael Peters from Vienna.
Known as Mdm2, the protein has developed such a status and research following that it has now spawned its first international workshop, based in Dundee. The huge interest in Mdm2 stems from its role in controlling the tumour suppressor gene p53 - the single most researched gene - often known as the "guardian angel of the cell" for its role in triggering cell suicide when irregularities set in. Mdm2's principal function is to keep p53 under tight control.
Sir David Lane: "Unwrapping the role of Mdm2 - the 'prima donna protein' - is one of the most exciting developments in cancer research today. It is no exaggeration to say that Mdm2 is widely believed to hold the key to the next level of cancer research. Drug development agencies are showing intense interest in Mdm2 - if we could artificially manipulate its effects we could have a very powerful clinical tool to combat cancer."
Mdm2 controls the degradation of p53 in the cell. Signals which alert cells to a range of stresses disrupt the association between p53 and Mdm2 as a result of which the p53 no longer gets degraded and builds up, accumulating in damaged cells where it triggers the anti-tumour response.
In addition, in several types of human cancer the tumour cells make far too much Mdm2 such that they cannot activate the p53 tumour suppressing response.
The delegates, 160 in all, including scientists and a sprinkling of clinicians from across Europe the USA, Israel Japan and Singapore, will deliver 50 papers on aspects of the role of Mdm2.
Sir David Lane: "It is highly significant that Dundee is host to this first international conference on the prima donna protein. One of the great strengths of research here is the synergy and co-operation of the various research and clinical groups working in Dundee in this field. To attract this prestigious international conference and leading international figures underlines the University's reputation as a centre of world excellence in this field."
The event runs at Westpark Conference Centre, Perth Road, Dundee from 6.30pm on Saturday 10 November when Karen Vousden will deliver her opening keynote lecture until Monday evening (12 November). The conference has been organised by Sir David Lane and Dr David Meek. While in Dundee delegates will also enjoy a civic reception at Discovery Point on Saturday evening and finish the conference with a dinner and ceilidh at the Westpark centre./ends
Contact Dr David Meek 01382 660111 ex 33517 email meek@icrf.icnet.uk