Orphan nuclear receptors are structurally related to the well-known steroid and thyroid hormone receptors that act to mediate the actions of steroid, thyroid, and retinoid hormones. These endocrine pathways represent a cornerstone of biomedical research and have led to treatments for breast cancer, inflammatory disorders and other pathological states.
In contrast, orphan receptors are a subfamily of receptors whose ligands are unknown. The existence of such receptors raises the exciting possibility that numerous signaling pathways remain to be discovered.
However, before this potential can be fully realized, a complete understanding of the endogenous ligands that regulate these signaling networks must be developed. Dr. Forman's presentation will summarize previous successes in ligand discovery. He will also discuss new technology to aid in the discovery of endogenous ligands and how these signaling molecules contribute to critical diseases.
The ASBMB-AMGEN Award is made annually to a new investigator (an individual with no more than 15 years experience since receipt of a doctorate) for significant achievements in the application of biochemistry and molecular biology to the understanding of disease.
The Award consists of a silver and crystal commemorative sculpture, a stipend, an unrestricted research grant, and transportation, and expenses to present a lecture at the 2005 ASBMB Annual Meeting, April 2-6, 2005 in San Diego. Recent recipients of this award were Steven
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Contact: Nicole Kresge
nkresge@asbmb.org
301-634-7415
American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
18-Jan-2005