2006 Symposium

2006 Drug Discovery Symposium
Wednesday, October 25, 2006

2:00 - 3:30p    Scientific Poster Session and Vendor Exhibits
Method Atrium, Chicago campus

4:00 - 5:00p    Keynote Address
Hughes Auditorium, Lurie Medical Research Bldg, Chicago campus

Keynote speaker:
Alison Goate, D. Phil.
Professor of Genetics and Psychiatry
Washington University in St. Louis

Topic: "Genetic susceptibility to disease and its potential role in drug development"

Dr. Alison M. Goate is internationally renowned for her work reporting the first mutation linked to an inherited form of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Since that initial discovery, Dr. Goate and colleagues have identified mutations in four other genes, including two that cause AD and two genes that cause a related dementia called frontotemporal dementia. Her current work is focused upon two issues: gaining a greater understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms of these disease-causing mutations and identifying novel genetic risk factors for late onset AD. Dr. Goate's lab also studies the genetics of alcohol and nicotine dependence. These studies have implicated a missense mutation in a bitter taste receptor as a risk factor for alcoholism, and several neuronal nicotine receptors in risk for nicotine dependence. Dr. Goate has received numerous awards, including the Senior Investigator Award from the Metropolitan Life Foundation. She has served on the scientific Review Boards for many charities, is the current chairperson of the NIA-N study section, and has published over 166 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters.