CHDI Meeting in Palm Springs - Thursday: Cell Replacement Technologies and Clinical Trial Data Analysis

The first session of the final day at the CHDI meeting focused on restoring neuronal networks. Most of these methodologies focus on the once fanciful idea that damaged neurons in the brain can be replaced with healthy new ones. Work by Ali Brivanlou using embryonic stem cells (cells which may be nurtured to grow into Read More …

CHDI Meeting in Palm Springs - Tuesday: Huntingtin Structure Function and the htt Gene and Genome

Tuesday hosted the session most closely related to my current focus of HD research - huntingtin structural biology and structural insights into HD pathology. Frederic Sandou presented some very interesting data from his EMBO publication regarding huntingtin proteolysis in cells. The C-terminal fragments generated by cutting huntingtin appear to be toxic to cells and this Read More …

CHDI Meeting Palm Springs - Monday: Discussions and Introductions

The conference kicked off yesterday at the Parker Hotel, Palm Springs. 300 participants from a range of backgrounds, clinicians through to computational modellers, gathered to share research achievements and discuss new areas of interest in the field of HD.  Following a series of updates from CHDI staff in preclinical biology and chemistry HD research as Read More …

CHDI Meeting in Palm Springs - Sunshine and Science!

I have flown to Palm Springs this week to attend the CHDI Annual Conference. Academics, clinicians and industry scientists funded or working in collaboration with the CHDI Foundation meet here every year to discuss the latest work and breakthroughs in the field of Huntington’s disease. I am looking forward to hearing updates from the latest Read More …