BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//132.216.98.100//NONSGML kigkonsult.se iCalcreator 2.20.4// BEGIN:VEVENT UID:20260531T112628EDT-3308cXrsHD@132.216.98.100 DTSTAMP:20260531T152628Z DESCRIPTION:Zoom link: https://mcgill.zoom.us/j/87518309170?pwd=QTV0TDJ6SUd YZHZScXl4RWJhMmZLUT09\n\nAbstract:\n\nCancer-Targeting Tides (CTTs) have e nabled the modular design and development of precision nanomedicines in th e diagnosis and treatment of cancer. At the forefront of their utility are solid-phase synthesis methods that have facilitated the rapid\, scale-up production of synthetic CTTs\, such as oligonucleotides and peptides\, for medicinal chemistry applications. Of specific interest\, are short-interf ering RNA (siRNA)\, that have silenced oncogenic mRNA expression leading t o cancer cell death through the RNA interference (RNAi) pathway. Our resea rch is focused on synthetic siRNAs that have been designed to target and s ilence the expression of the oncogenic Glucose Regulated Proteins (GRPs) t hat have been classified as clinically relevant therapeutic targets in can cer detection and therapy. In order to potentiate siRNA therapeutic effica cy\, we have developed branch and hyperbranch siRNA that self-assembled in to higher-ordered nanostructures which silenced multiple GRPs in synergy\, thereby enhancing their anti-cancer effects. We have also expanded the sc ope of synthetic siRNAs by chemical ligation of biologically active probes (fluorescent labels\, lipid appendages and metal nanoparticles) for enhan ced detection\, uptake and RNAi activity in cancer cells. Similarly\, we h ave designed and developed de novo synthetic peptides for anti-cancer util ity. This specific class of synthetic biologicals has enabled molecular ca ncer biology investigations via the cell targeting/penetrating peptides\, selected for oligonucleotide condensation and delivery within cancer cell lines for gene therapy applications. Our work has also led to the discover y of a new class of immunostimulatory peptides\, capable of activation of Natural Killer (NK) cells and immunotoxicity towards targeted tumors in a mechanism of action reminiscent of the targeting and activating functions of antibodies. This cancer immunotherapy approach sheds important insights into the development of synthetic antibody mimics as well as the rational design and development of synthetic peptide vaccines. This presentation w ill thus serve to highlight the importance of synthetic biologicals such a s the CTTs for clinical oncology research.\n\nBio:\n\nDr. David Sabatino w as born and raised in Montreal\, Quebec Canada where he completed his B.Sc . (2002) and Ph.D. (2007) at McGill University in the area of nucleic acid biochemistry under the supervision of Professor Masad J. Damha. As a rese arch fellow\, he completed his post-doctoral training with Professor Willi am D. Lubell at l’Université de Montréal in 2010 developing new methods in the chemical synthesis of peptide mimics.\n\nDr. Sabatino was then appoin ted as faculty in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Seton Ha ll University and also held a joint appointment in the Department of Medic al Sciences at the Hackensack-Meridian School of Medicine where he was eng aged in multiple biomedical research collaborations. In January 2022\, Dr. Sabatino joined the faculty at Carleton University where he is currently \n\nDr. Sabatino’s research interests span the areas of nucleic acid and p eptide chemical biology. Dr. Sabatino’s research aims to explore the influ ence of structural modification on the anti-cancer activity of biological molecules for drug discovery applications. Dr. Sabatino is co-author of mo re than 40 peer-reviewed scientific publications\, conference proceedings\ , patents and a book chapter. Dr. Sabatino has also co-authored more than 60 conference presentations in regional\, national and international meeti ngs. Dr. Sabatino has also received funding support from the federal gover nment (NIH/NCI) for research related to the development of anti-cancer tre atment strategies. His research accomplishments have been recognized and a warded\, with being most recently nominated Researcher of the Year in 2019 at Seton Hall University. Dr. Sabatino is also acting topics editor of Mo lecules-open access journal\, as well as a member of the Chemical Biology steering committee at the New York and New Jersey Academy of Sciences and is a contributing member of several other scientific associations.\n DTSTART:20220208T180000Z DTEND:20220208T193000Z SUMMARY:Chemical Society Seminar: David Sabatino - Cancer-Targeting Tides F rom Gene Therapy to Immunotherapy Applications URL:https://www.mcgill.ca/chemistry/channels/event/chemical-society-seminar -david-sabatino-cancer-targeting-tides-gene-therapy-immunotherapy-333775 END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR