Featuring: Katerina Akassoglou, Ph.D.
Senior Investigator, Gladstone Institutes
Director of the Center for Neurovascular Brain Immunology-Professor of Neurology, UCSF
The Annual Petit Family Lecture and Visiting Professorship in Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology is organized by the Department of Neurology and Neuroscience. This event recognizes the Petit Family's contributions to supporting care and research for multiple sclerosis (MS). It features a distinguished active researcher or clinician whose work advances the understanding of MS progression, neurodegeneration, and repair in the field of clinical or translational neuroimmunology.
Cost: Free (registration required), Doors open: 3 p.m. Seminar begins: 4 p.m.
Registration: Please register by emailing Dr. Jaime Imitola, MD imitola@uchc.edu
Program Highlights
3 p.m. - Doors open to all guests
3:55 p.m. – Welcome and opening remarks
4 p.m. - Lecture by Dr. Katerina Akassoglou
5 p.m. - Q&A and presentation of commemorative plaque
5:30 - 6 p.m. – Reception
Lecture Overview
The communication between the brain, immune and vascular systems is a key contributor to the onset and progression of neurological diseases. Our research has dissected the cellular and molecular interface blood proteins utilize to interact with nervous system cells. We uncovered pleiotropic roles for the blood coagulation factor fibrin in neuroinflammation, neurodegeneration, and inhibition of repair. A first-in-class fibrin-targeting immunotherapy we designed to selectively block neurotoxic inflammation without adverse eOects on hemostasis has now advanced in Phase 1b clinical trials. The blood-brain-immune interface can be harnessed for pioneering discoveries and therapeutics for neurological diseases.
Who Should Attend
MS Clinicians and Researchers
Undergraduates, Medical and PhD Student
Patients and Families
For more information, contact: Karen Mendoza at kmendoza@uchc.edu