Translational Applications in Medical Research

The NUCATS Institute is committed to creating a collaborative space for investigators at Northwestern and in the community to discuss current issues at the intersections of translational research. To support this endeavor, we record a number of workshops and seminars and maintain this archive of video and presentations for those who could not attend or those who want to refer back. The Translational Applications in Medical Research lecture is a collaboration between the Northwestern University Clinical and Translational Sciences (NUCATS) Institute and the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University.

June 29, 2021: "Case Studies of Proteoforms in Human Health and Disease"

Presented by: Neil Kelleher, PhD
Walter and Mary Glass Professor of Molecular Biosciences Professor of Chemistry, Faculty Director of Northwestern Proteomics, Interim Director of the Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, and a member of the Northwestern University Clinical and Translational Sciences (NUCATS) Institute and Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University

WATCH

In humans, proteins that arise from single genes have diverse sources of possible variation, including alternative RNA splicing and post-translational modification, which create many different molecular forms. "Proteoform" is the term used for distinct protein molecules that incorporate such variations (including genetic mutation). There are many examples of proteoforms that are measured in clinical practice. Northwestern Proteomics, led by Neil Kelleher, PhD, is systematically mapping the proteoforms of key proteins in four main disease areas. Through a Northwestern Proteomics Initiative (NPI), it seeks expanded engagement for translational research leveraging a leading position in the science and technology of proteoform measurement from clinical specimens. During this lecture, examples in cardiology (ApoA-I) and immunology (IgG repertoire recognizing SARS-CoV-2) will be described, along with future collaborative opportunities via the NPI.

February 15, 2021: "Computational Phenotyping to Ascertain Breast Cancer Recurrence"

Presented by: Seema Khan, MD
Bluhm Family Professor of Cancer Research and a member of the Northwestern University Clinical and Translational Sciences (NUCATS) Institute and Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University

Yuan Luo, PhD
NUCATS Institute Chief AI Officer, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University member

WATCH

More than a quarter-million American women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year. “Although that figure hasn’t changed much year over year, the survival rate in older patients has continued to improve during the past decade,” says Seema Khan, MD, the Bluhm Family Professor of Cancer Research and a member of the Northwestern University Clinical and Translational Sciences (NUCATS) Institute and Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University. “Research continues to build upon itself as we learn more and more about the disease, how to treat it, and how to prevent it.” A new dataset — the result of a collaborative project between Khan and NUCATS Institute Chief AI Officer Yuan Luo, PhD — has made the process of reviewing thousands of patient histories increasingly possible. The process relies on machine learning to mine the electronic health records of nearly 10,000 breast cancer cases in an effort to deliver new data to researchers. Khan and Luo will present their work on Monday, February 15, as part of the Inaugural Translational Applications in Medical Research Lecture.