ECM2024, 17-19 June 2024, Copenhagen, DenmarkJoin us for an engaging webinar focused on the intricate interplay between fibroblasts and arthritic diseases. Our panel of experts will unravel mechanisms behind tissue damage and repair, discussing fibroblast activation, collagen overproduction, and scar tissue formation.
Discover how blood-based biomarkers of extracellular matrix destruction offer insights into treatment effectiveness and patient well-being. Our speakers will also give insights into PRIME cells’ role in heralding rheumatoid arthritis flare-ups and delve into the molecular underpinnings of symptoms like pain and morning stiffness.
Agenda
Fibroblast Activation in Arthritis – Dr. Adam Croft
PRIME cells in Rheumatoid Arthritis Flares – Dr. Dana Orange
Identification of Fibrotic and Fibrolytic Endotypes in Rheumatic Disease Cohorts – Dr. Anne Bay-Jensen
General discussion and questions
The ECM Pharmacology Symposium Series is a close collaboration with our industry sponsor Nordic Bioscience.
Dr. Adam Croft
- Dr. Adam Croft is a Professor of Translational Rheumatology at the University of Birmingham and also serves as a Consultant Rheumatologist at University Hospitals Birmingham.
- He holds a senior research fellowship from the Kennedy Trust for Rheumatology Research.
- Dr. Croft’s research program encompasses the entire spectrum of inflammatory arthritis, spanning from children to adults. His goal is to establish connections between synovial tissue pathology and specific disease outcomes and treatment responses.
- He places a strong emphasis on the discovery of novel and actionable therapeutic targets, leveraging cutting-edge single-cell profiling technologies.
- Dr. Croft’s research is particularly focused on understanding the role of tissue resident fibroblasts in perpetuating inflammation in immune-mediated inflammatory diseases and finding therapeutic strategies to target these cells effectively.
Dr. Dana Orange
- Dr. Dana Orange, MD, MSc, holds the position of Associate Professor of Clinical Investigation at Rockefeller University and serves as an Assistant Attending of Rheumatology at the Hospital for Special Surgery.
- She earned her medical degree from Weill Cornell Medical College, Cornell University, and obtained her MSc from Rockefeller University.
- Dr. Orange completed her Internal Medicine Residency at New York Presbyterian Hospital and her Rheumatology Fellowship at the Hospital for Special Surgery.
- Her research is dedicated to unraveling the molecular mechanisms behind symptoms associated with rheumatoid arthritis, including pain, morning stiffness, and flares.
Scientific topics and speakers
In this edition of the ECM Pharmacology Symposium Series, we’re diving into the realm of fibroblasts and their relevance in arthritic diseases. These cells are key players in disease progression, responsible for crafting collagen and extracellular matrix proteins that build the foundation of tissues. In arthritic conditions, activated fibroblasts kick into overdrive, generating excess matrix components, leading to the formation of scar tissue, or fibrosis, with potential impact on joints and tissues.
We will explore how measuring tissue damage through blood markers can offer insights into treatment effectiveness and patient experiences. A segment is dedicated to PRIME cells, fibroblast-like entities in blood that signal rheumatoid arthritis flares. We will also delve into the molecular basis of symptoms like pain, morning stiffness, and flares in rheumatoid arthritis.
This webinar spotlights the buzz around developing fresh therapies targeting fibroblasts and fibrosis in arthritic diseases. By sharing the latest research, we aim to shed light on the specific roles and types of fibroblasts driving disease progression and outcomes.
Dr. Anne Bay-Jensen
- Dr. Anna Bay-Jensen serves as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and Director of ImmunoScience at Nordic Bioscience, where she has been part of the team since 2008, starting as a post-doc and advancing to leadership roles.
- She is recognized for her hard work, innovative thinking, and leadership in the development of novel biomarkers that support precision medicine, an ongoing journey.
- Dr. Bay-Jensen’s research primarily focuses on biomarkers related to rheumatic diseases, with a particular emphasis on joints and rheumatoid arthritis, a field she has dedicated two decades to.
- She has an impressive academic record with 10,459 citations, an h-index of 60, and an i10-index of 191, reflecting her significant contributions to the field.
- Her research has highlighted the importance of extracellular matrix remodeling as a common denominator in connective tissue diseases and the development of novel combinations of post-translational modification (PTM) neo-epitopes as tissue-specific biochemical markers.
