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RNAi, siRNA and miRNA 2008
11 June - 12 June 2008
RNAi, siRNA and miRNA 2008

The SAE Media Group are proud to present their 3rd RNAi, siRNA and miRNA 2008 conference.
This conference offers a unique opportunity to hear about the latest developments from both industry leaders and academic research. The conference will address developments in understanding biology of RNAi and its potential applications in gene function analysis and therapy, as well as siRNA and the fascinating new developments in the world of miRNAs.

The conference will focus on these key areas:
  • RNAi in drug target discovery and validation
  • In vivo RNAi
  • RNAi in chromatin modification and regulation
  • RNAi therapeutics and clinical candidates
  • RNAi and siRNA libarary screens
  • siRNA therapeutics
  • Technical and methodological advances in siRNA selection, delivery and optimisation
  • Discovery and Profiling of siRNAs using Next Generation Sequencing
  • miRNA inhibition using synthetic oligonucleotides analogs
  • The role of miRNAs in DNA methylation in embryonic stem cells
  • The role of miRNAs in inflammation and lung disease
  • the role of intracellular localisation and intracellular release of siRNA for its biological efficacy in mammalian cells
  • Cellular targets of Epstein-Barr virus-encoded miRNAs
  • Clinical progress in antisense drugs
  • Applications to drug discovery
Our exceptional speaker line-up includes:
  • Professor John Rossi, Professor, Division of Molecular Biology, Dean, Graduate School of Biological Sciences, City of Hope
  • Dr. Jörg Vollmer, Vice President Discovery & Development, Coley Pharmaceutical GmbH, a Pfizer Company
  • Dr Philippe Sanseau, Director of Bioinformatics, GlaxoSAE Media GroupthKline
  • Dr Lei Du, Director of Healthcare Informatics, Roche Diagnostics
  • Dr Troels Koch, Vice President, Chemistry, Santaris
  • Dr Sumedha Jayasena, Scientific Director, Amgen
  • Dr Ines Royaux, Senior Scientist, Johnson and Johnson
  • Dr David Dornan, Executive Director, Genentech
  • Dr Mark Lindsay, Biopharmaceutics, Airways Disease, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London
  • Dr Martin Fabani. Medical Research Council, Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge University
  • Dr Dong-Yan Jin, Assistant Professor / Leukemia & Lymphoma, Department of Biochemistry, The University of Hong Kong
  • Professor Georg Sczakiel, Institut für Molekulare Medizin, Universität zu Lübeck
  • Dr Petr Svoboda, Department of Epigenetic Regulations, Institute of Molecular Genetics, Prague
  • Dr Hubert Heinrichs, Chief Medical Officer and Managing Director, Antisense-Pharma
  • Dr Ansgar Santel, Senior Scientist, Silence Therapeutics
  • Dr Tod Woolf, President and CEO, RXi Pharmaceuticals
    • You will benefit from attending this event if you are:
      • Scientists in Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology companies
      • Business Development Executives in Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology companies
      • Representatives from Academic Institutions
      • Established and start-up companies in the RNAi and microRNA spaces
      • Venture Capital community and investors seeking to understand the RNAi and microRNA market landscapes, and associated business opportunities
      For Speaking opportunities please contact Simon Curtis at scurtis@SAE Media Group-online.co.uk
      For Sponsorship opportunities please contact Alia Malick at amalick@SAE Media Group-online.co.uk

      Conference agenda

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      9:30

      Registration and coffee

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      10:00

      RNAi screening – advanced tools to accelerate translational research and drug discovery

      Jie  Kang

      Jie Kang, Vice President R & D, Qiagen Gmb H

      In recent years, RNAi screening using synthetic siRNA libraries has become a popular tool for elucidating gene function pathways and for target identification. RNAi screening is becoming increasingly affordable to researchers, the technology is becoming more robust, and hence more publications and conference presentations on this topic are appearing. This talk will cover RNAi screening essentials and the latest tools developed by QIAGEN to enable broad application of RNAi screening.
      Topics will include:
    • Critical RNAi screening success factors
    • What goes into designing potent and specific siRNA?
    • How to choose appropriate siRNA libraries
    • How to choose suitable controls
    • How to minimize off-target effects
    • What does the future hold for RNAi?
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      10:45

      siRNA delivery: a challenge in high-throughput screening

      Jie  Kang

      Jie Kang, Vice President R & D, Qiagen Gmb H

      Crucial factors for RNAi screen set up are the need for unfailingly high transfection efficiencies and the importance of avoiding off-target effects which could affect the reliability of results. To establish transfection conditions that combine reproducibly high transfection efficiencies with a minimum of unwanted side effects, intense optimization of transfection must be carried out before performing an RNAi screen. The understanding of general as well as high-throughput-specific parameters enables the establishment of a transfection system even for difficult-to-transfect cell types like primary cells. QIAGEN’s siRNA validation project is an impressive example of a project where optimization of transfection for many different cell types was an important prerequisite for successful results.
      Topics will include:
    • General parameters for transfection optimization
    • High-throughput-specific parameters for transfection optimization
    • Optimization of transfection of difficult-to-transfect cell types
    • Avoidance of off-target effects
    • The role of optimization of transfection in QIAGEN’s siRNA validation project
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      11:30

      Coffee break and snack

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      11:45

      Facilitating miRNA research — new tools in expression profiling and biomarker development

      Constanze Kindler

      Constanze Kindler, Senior Global Product Manager, Qiagen Gmb H

      In recent years, identification of microRNA and other small non-coding RNA and recognition of their important role in diverse biological processes have led to increasing interest in identification and characterization of miRNAs. Currently, technologies and solutions are being developed to enable rapid and accurate detection of miRNA in various samples.
      In this talk, you will learn about an efficient and accurate method for transcriptome-wide miRNA quantification by real-time PCR. Using this technique, researchers can simultaneously quantify endogenous target mRNA as well as miRNA. Data which demonstrates the application of this technology to miRNA expression profiling in a model human cell culture system will be presented.
      Topics will include:
    • New technologies that enable rapid and accurate purification and detection of miRNA in various samples
    • An efficient and accurate method for transcriptome-wide miRNA quantification by real-time PCR
    • Simultaneous quantification of endogenous target mRNA as well as miRNA
    • Data which demonstrates the application of this technology to miRNA expression profiling in a model human cell culture system
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      12:30

      Discussion and questions – review of the session

      Jie  Kang

      Jie Kang, Vice President R & D, Qiagen Gmb H

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      13:00

      Close of workshop

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      13:30

      Registration & Coffee

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      14:00

      Introduction to session

      Hazel  Pinheiro

      Hazel Pinheiro, microRNA Application Specialist, Exiqon A/S

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      14:20

      microRNA biomarkers

      Hazel  Pinheiro

      Hazel Pinheiro, microRNA Application Specialist, Exiqon A/S

    • A new class of prognostic and diagnostic biomarkers
    • Stratification of patients based on microRNA signatures
    • Case study: Identification of microRNA biomarkers in breast cancer
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      15:00

      Afternoon Tea

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      15:20

      Global microRNA expression profiling

      Hazel  Pinheiro

      Hazel Pinheiro, microRNA Application Specialist, Exiqon A/S

    • MicroRNA profiling using miRCURY LNA Arrays from 100ng total RNA
    • All type of samples incl. blood and FFPE
    • Unrivalled accuracy and sensitivity
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      16:00

      Methods for detection and functional analysis of microRNAs

      Hazel  Pinheiro

      Hazel Pinheiro, microRNA Application Specialist, Exiqon A/S

    • MicroRNA discovery from a single cell by real-time PCR
    • Sequence specific inhibition of mature microRNAs
    • Precise localization of microRNAs by in-situ hybridisation
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      16:40

      Review and questions

      Hazel  Pinheiro

      Hazel Pinheiro, microRNA Application Specialist, Exiqon A/S

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      17:00

      End of Session

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      8:30

      Registration & Coffee

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      9:00

      Chairman's Opening Remarks

      James Uney

      James Uney, Laboratories of Neuroscience and Endocrinology, University Of Bristol

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      9:10

      CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT OF ANTISENSE DRUGS

      Hubert Heinrichs

      Hubert Heinrichs, Chief Medical Officer and Managing Director, Antisense Pharma G Mb H

    • Technology and target: Targeted therapy with the TGF-beta 2 inhibitor
      AP 12009
    • Successful preclinical and phase I/II clinical proof of concept in high-grade glioma and other solid tumors
    • Clinical proof of concept with superior efficacy compared to standard treatment in recurrent high-grade glioma in an active-controlled, randomized phase IIb study
    • Next steps: Phase III study with AP 12009 to start mid 2008 (in patients with recurrent or refractory anaplastic astrocytoma)
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      9:50

      THE ROLE OF miRNAS IN INFLAMMATION AND LUNG DISEASE

      Dr Mark Lindsay

      Dr Mark Lindsay, Reader in Biopharmaceutics, Imperial College London

      • Multiple miRNAs are involved in the regulation of the innate and acquired immune response
      • miRNA-146a is central to the regulation of severe inflammation during the innate immune response
      • miRNAs regulate airway smooth muscle function
      • Lung diseases such as asthma are associated with changes in miRNA expression
      • Targeting of miRNAs might provide a novel therapeutic approach to the treatment of inflammation and lung disease
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      10:30

      Morning Coffee

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      11:00

      DEVELOPMENT, OPTIMIZATION AND APPLICATIONS OF A NOVEL RNAi PLATFORM

      Dr Tod  Woolf

      Dr Tod Woolf, President and CEO, RXi Pharmaceuticals

    • rxRNA – novel proprietary RNAi platform
    • Local and systemic in vivo delivery of RNAi compounds
    • RNAi programs in neurological, metabolic and oncology disease areas
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      11:40

      THE ROLE OF MICRORNAS IN DNA METHYLATION IN EMBRYONIC STEM CELLS

      Dr Petr Svoboda

      Dr Petr Svoboda, Department of Epigenetic Regulations, Institute of Molecular Genetics

    • Microarray profiling of Dicer -/- ES cells
    • Computational analysis of 3'UTRs identifies miR-290 cluster binding sites
    • De novo DNA methyl transferases are indirectly regulated by miR-290 cluster
    • Dicer -/- cells show defects in de novo DNA methylation
    • Defective methylation can be rescued by miR-290 cluster miRNAs

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      12:20

      Networking Lunch

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      13:50

      POTENT SINGLE STRANDED INHIBITION OF CODING AND NON-CODING RNA

      Dr Troels Koch

      Dr Troels Koch, Vice President, Chemistry & Manufacture, Santaris Pharma A/S

    • An introduction to LNA

    • Comparisons with other chemistries

    • Uptake, distribution and tox profile of LNA

    • The length/potency relation of LNA

    • Pre-clinical pharmacology of LNA targeting mRNA and microRNA

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      14:30

      CELLAXESS®HT - AUTOMATED HIGH THROUGHPUT SYSTEM FOR GENOME WIDE RNAi SCREENING

      Johan Pihl

      Johan Pihl, Product Manager, Cellaxess®HT, Cellectricon A B

    • RNAi is a powerful tool for gene function analysis
    • RNAi screens are becoming increasingly important when investigating loss-of-function gene testing
    • Cellaxess®HT is an electroporation-based delivery method that enables transfection directly in microtitreplates
    • Cellaxess®HT has proven functionality on hard-to-transfect cells such as primary neurons and adipocytes, and is amendable for genome-wide RNAi screens
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      15:10

      Afternoon Tea

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      15:40

      THE IDENTIFICATION OF MICRORNAS INVOLVED REGULATING THE CELLULAR RESPONSE TO STRESS

      James Uney

      James Uney, Laboratories of Neuroscience and Endocrinology, University Of Bristol

    • We have identified microRNAs involved in regulating the neuronal response to stress using differential screening analyses
    • We used 3'UTR luciferase assays to confirm that translation from target genes was repressed following the lentiviral mediated expression of miRNAs
    • The expression of the heat shock protein,Hsc70, in neurons was modulated by microRNAs and as a consequence endocytosis via clathrin-coated pits decreased
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      16:20

      RNAi-MEDIATED KNOCK-DOWN IN RODENTS

      Dr Ines Royaux

      Dr Ines Royaux, Senior Scientist, Johnson & Johnson PRD

    • Local delivery of RNAi using viral vectors (lentiviral and HSV-1-based vectors)
    • Peptide-mediated delivery of siRNA to the brain
    • Liposome formulations for systemic delivery of siRNA
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      17:00

      Chairman’s Closing Remarks and Close of Day One

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      8:30

      Registration & Coffee

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      9:00

      Chairman's Opening Remarks

      Dr Jörg Vollmer

      Dr Jörg Vollmer, Vice President , Coley Pharmaceutical GmbH, a Pfizer Company

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      9:10

      NEW SEQUENCING TECHNOLOGY

      Timothy Jones

      Timothy Jones, Key Account Manager, Roche Diagnostics Ltd

    • Ultra high throughout next generation sequencing
    • Applications in small RNA research
    • Applications in anti-infectious, cancer, HIV and complex human diseases
    • Data analysis and tool development
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      9:50

      BIOINFORMATICS OF SMALL RNAs

      Philippe Sanseau

      Philippe Sanseau, Department Head, GlaxoSmithKline

    • The need to improve an ability to annotate important sequence and structural elements in a fast, efficient and accurate manner
    • Small non-coding RNAs (sRNAs) are difficult to predict
    • Predicting non-coding RNA genes in Escherichia coli
    • Strain and growth conditions
    • Most sRNAs have been identified in predictive bioinformatic searches
    • Recently developed computational tools have greatly facilitated the efficient prediction of sRNAs
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      10:30

      Morning Coffee

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      11:00

      siRNA FOR SIGNALING PATHWAYS IN THE STUDY OF B-lYMPHOCYTE BIOLOGY IN HEALTH AND DISEASE

      Taher Taher

      Taher Taher, Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, Queen Mary University of London

    • Ultra high throughout next generation sequencing
    • Applications in small RNA research
    • Applications in anti-infectious, cancer, HIV and complex human diseases
    • Data analysis and tool development
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      11:40

      CELLULAR TARGETS OF EPSTEIN-BARR VIRUS-ENCODED MIRNAS

      Dong-Yan Jin

      Dong-Yan Jin, Assistant Professor , The Hong Kong University

    • Prediction and verification of miRNA targets
    • miRNA in the p53/PUMA network
    • Subversion of death program by viral miRNAs
    • Roles of viral miRNAs in persistent infection and development of nasopharyngeal carcinoma
    • Use of anti-miR oligonucelotides in antiviral and anticancer therapy
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      12:20

      Networking Lunch

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      13:30

      THE OTHER SIDE OF ANTISENSE AND siRNA - IMMUNE STIMULATION VIA TOLL-LIKE AND RIG-L-LIKE RECEPTORS

      Dr Jörg Vollmer

      Dr Jörg Vollmer, Vice President , Coley Pharmaceutical GmbH, a Pfizer Company

    • Several hybridization-based oligonucleotide approaches (antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) and small interfering RNAs (siRNAs)) have been developed with applications in target validation, or as novel therapeutics directed against specific targets
    • Antisense and siRNA agents have been shown to induce non-target-related biological effects including immune stimulation
    • Innate immune receptors, the endosomal Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and cytoplasmic RIG-I-like receptors (RLRs), detect infections by recognizing highly conserved components of pathogens including their nucleic acids
    • Antisense ODNs and siRNAs can signal via these receptors depending on their sequences, and specific chemical modifications can be employed to suppress these immune modulatory effects
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      14:10

      CELLULAR DELIVERY, SUBCELLULAR LOCALIZATION, AND BIOLOGICAL EFFECTIVENESS OF SIRNA

      Georg Sczakiel

      Georg Sczakiel, Institut für Molekulare Medizin, Universität zu Lübeck

    • The phosphorothioate-stimulated cellular uptake of naked siRNA
    • Relating intracellular copy number of siRNA to the extent of taret suppression
    • The caveosomal uptake pathway of siRNA
    • Concepts to promote the intracellular release of captured siRNA
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      14:50

      Afternoon Tea

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      15:20

      LIPOSOMAL siRNA FOR RNAi APPLICATIONS IN VIVO

      Dr Ansgar  Santel

      Dr Ansgar Santel, Senior Scientist, Silence Therapeutics AG

    • siRNA-lipoplex
    • delivery
    • therapeutic models
    • pharmacokinetics/biodistribution
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      16:00

      SMALL RNA MEDIATED TRANSCRIPTIONAL GENE SILENCING AND TRANSCRIPTIONAL ACTIVATION

      John Rossi

      John Rossi, Dean, Graduate School of Biological Sciences , Beckman Research Institute City of Hope

    • The 'nuclear side' of RNA interference
    • epigenetic changes, such as DNA (cytosine-5) methylation and histone modifications
    • RNA silencing pathways thus operate throughout the cell to defend against invasive nucleic acids
    • Regulating genome structure and function
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      16:40

      Chairman’s Closing Remarks and Close of Conference

      Crowne Plaza Hotel - The City

      19 New Bridge Street
      London EC4V 6DB
      United Kingdom

      Crowne Plaza Hotel - The City

      HOTEL BOOKING FORM

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      WHAT IS CPD?

      CPD stands for Continuing Professional Development’. It is essentially a philosophy, which maintains that in order to be effective, learning should be organised and structured. The most common definition is:

      ‘A commitment to structured skills and knowledge enhancement for Personal or Professional competence’

      CPD is a common requirement of individual membership with professional bodies and Institutes. Increasingly, employers also expect their staff to undertake regular CPD activities.

      Undertaken over a period of time, CPD ensures that educational qualifications do not become obsolete, and allows for best practice and professional standards to be upheld.

      CPD can be undertaken through a variety of learning activities including instructor led training courses, seminars and conferences, e:learning modules or structured reading.

      CPD AND PROFESSIONAL INSTITUTES

      There are approximately 470 institutes in the UK across all industry sectors, with a collective membership of circa 4 million professionals, and they all expect their members to undertake CPD.

      For some institutes undertaking CPD is mandatory e.g. accountancy and law, and linked to a licence to practice, for others it’s obligatory. By ensuring that their members undertake CPD, the professional bodies seek to ensure that professional standards, legislative awareness and ethical practices are maintained.

      CPD Schemes often run over the period of a year and the institutes generally provide online tools for their members to record and reflect on their CPD activities.

      TYPICAL CPD SCHEMES AND RECORDING OF CPD (CPD points and hours)

      Professional bodies and Institutes CPD schemes are either structured as ‘Input’ or ‘Output’ based.

      ‘Input’ based schemes list a precise number of CPD hours that individuals must achieve within a given time period. These schemes can also use different ‘currencies’ such as points, merits, units or credits, where an individual must accumulate the number required. These currencies are usually based on time i.e. 1 CPD point = 1 hour of learning.

      ‘Output’ based schemes are learner centred. They require individuals to set learning goals that align to professional competencies, or personal development objectives. These schemes also list different ways to achieve the learning goals e.g. training courses, seminars or e:learning, which enables an individual to complete their CPD through their preferred mode of learning.

      The majority of Input and Output based schemes actively encourage individuals to seek appropriate CPD activities independently.

      As a formal provider of CPD certified activities, SAE Media Group can provide an indication of the learning benefit gained and the typical completion. However, it is ultimately the responsibility of the delegate to evaluate their learning, and record it correctly in line with their professional body’s or employers requirements.

      GLOBAL CPD

      Increasingly, international and emerging markets are ‘professionalising’ their workforces and looking to the UK to benchmark educational standards. The undertaking of CPD is now increasingly expected of any individual employed within today’s global marketplace.

      CPD Certificates

      We can provide a certificate for all our accredited events. To request a CPD certificate for a conference , workshop, master classes you have attended please email events@saemediagroup.com

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