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Endometriosis: A Look at Current Practices and Emerging Science

The New York Academy of Sciences invites you to “Endometriosis: A Look at Current Practices and Emerging Science.”

This symposium will explore the current standard of care and the emerging science around diagnosing, treating, and studying endometriosis. In the past two years, several publications have outlined significant steps forward in the diagnosis, treatment, staging, and characterization of endometriosis, including large single-cell sequencing data sets, the commercial availability of a new non-surgical diagnostic test, and a clinical trial for the first non-hormonal treatment for endometriosis. This symposium will bring together top academic researchers and industry leaders to discuss how these advances can further spur innovation and translate emerging technologies to the clinic.

This exciting conference will explore the latest advancements in endometriosis research. Take the chance to engage with renowned experts, uncover groundbreaking studies, and discuss innovative therapeutic strategies.

Sponsors

Presented By

The New York Academy of Sciences
Biochemical Pharmacology Discussion Group

Sponsored By

Lead Supporter: Biochemical Pharmacology Discussion Group

Supporter: Biochemical Pharmacology Discussion Group

Unraveling the Mystery in the DRC’s Disease Outbreak

A recent outbreak of an undiagnosed illness in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is on the radar of public health professionals. Preparedness is key to mitigating the issue.

Published December 10, 2024

By Syra Madad, D.H.Sc., M.Sc., MCP, CHEP

Testing for malnourishment in Democratic Republic of the Congo. Image courtesy of DFID – UK Department for International Development, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

A recent outbreak of an undiagnosed illness in the Panzi health zone of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has captured global attention, spotlighting the challenges of outbreak investigations in resource-limited settings. Since late October, over 400 cases have been reported, predominantly among children under five years old. Symptoms such as fever, cough, and body aches have resulted in 31 deaths, with severe malnutrition compounding the crisis.

This outbreak highlights the critical need for strong global public health systems to detect and respond to emerging health threats. Although the cause remains uncertain, investigators are exploring various possibilities, including endemic diseases like malaria and respiratory infections such as acute pneumonia, influenza, COVID-19, and measles. Malnutrition is thought to play a significant role in worsening disease severity. Laboratory testing is ongoing, and health officials are evaluating whether multiple diseases may be contributing to the cases and fatalities reported.

Is This “Disease X”?

The term “Disease X” refers to a hypothetical, unknown pathogen with the potential to cause a global epidemic or pandemic. Coined by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2018, Disease X represents the growing need to prepare for unforeseen infectious threats. In the 21st century, humanity has faced several emerging and re-emerging viral diseases, including SARS-CoV-1, MERS, and Zika, as well as the most recent Disease X, SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19. These outbreaks underscore the importance of readiness, as novel pathogens like mpox have also spread beyond their endemic regions, creating widespread public health challenges.

While mysterious outbreaks like the one in the DRC often raise alarms, they are more frequently caused by endemic diseases in under-resourced areas than by new pathogens. Known diseases such as measles or influenza, exacerbated by malnutrition or poor vaccination coverage, are often the culprits. My husband often reminds me of the medical adage, “When you hear hoofbeats, think horses, not zebras,” which emphasizes prioritizing the most likely diagnosis. Yet, as someone who works in high-consequence infectious diseases, my mind often first goes to those zebras.

How Outbreak Investigations Work

Outbreak investigations follow a systematic approach to identify and control the source of illness:

1. Epidemiological Analysis: Investigators collect and analyze data to identify trends, clusters, and possible modes of transmission.

2. Clinical and Laboratory Testing: Samples from patients are tested to rule out suspected pathogens such as malaria, pneumonia, or influenza. In this case, samples have been sent to laboratories in Kinshasa for further testing.

3. Community Engagement: Teams work with local communities to identify additional cases, strengthen infection prevention, and provide treatment for the sick.

In the DRC, the investigation faces significant challenges, including remote locations, poor infrastructure, and a healthcare system strained by supply shortages. Despite these obstacles, international and national health teams are collaborating to identify the cause and strengthen the local response according to the latest WHO situation report.

Preparing for Future Threats

The DRC outbreak underscores the importance of global preparedness for both known and unknown diseases. Research shows that the risk of a pandemic with similar impact to COVID-19 is about 1 in 50 in any given year, with a lifetime probability of around 38%. This risk is amplified by environmental changes, which increase the likelihood of pathogens jumping from animals to humans.

To prepare for the next Disease X, scientists are studying the roughly 25 viral families most likely to harbor a novel pandemic threat. Efforts like CEPI’s 100 Days Mission aim to develop vaccines within three months of identifying a new pathogen, offering a proactive defense against future pandemics.

Lessons for the Present and Future

While it is unknown that the current outbreak in the DRC represents a new Disease X, it serves as a reminder of the need to strengthen health systems worldwide. Early investments in surveillance, laboratory capacity, and community engagement are critical to identifying and controlling outbreaks before they spread.

The ongoing investigation in the DRC is a testament to the dedication of public health professionals working in some of the world’s most challenging conditions. It also highlights the importance of global solidarity in addressing outbreaks, whether they stem from endemic diseases or novel pathogens.

Preparedness is our best defense against the unknown. By investing in science, supporting resource-limited health systems, and fostering international collaboration, we can mitigate the impact of today’s outbreaks and prevent the pandemics of tomorrow.

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The Science of Aging: Combating the Onset of Age-Related Diseases

Join leading aging research experts this May!

This upcoming symposium will explore the latest advancements in understanding the biology of aging. It will focus on metabolic processes, genetic factors, and biomarkers that regulate nutrient utilization, damage repair, and biological age.

Recent discoveries in genome methylation patterns and omics technologies have revealed critical links between aging metabolism and chronic diseases and the evolution of age-related biomarkers. This event will highlight computational approaches, biomarker discovery, and the genetics of aging and metabolism. 

Don’t miss the chance to discuss the translation of foundational models of aging into higher species and the role of multi-omics in unraveling the intersectionality of aging, chronic disease, and health.

Sponsors

Presented By

The New York Academy of Sciences
Biochemical Pharmacology Discussion Group

Sponsored By

Lead Supporters: Biochemical Pharmacology Discussion Group

The Chemical Biology Discussion Group End-of-Year Symposium

May 28, 2025 | 12:30 PM – 5:45 PM ET

This program is available to join in-person live. Not available to join us on the day of? You can register to access the recording of this event once the live event is over.

The field of chemical biology applies chemical techniques to investigate and manipulate biological systems, understand their underlying mechanisms, and address critical challenges in biotechnology and human health. By bridging chemistry and biology, this field enables researchers to develop novel tools for probing cellular processes and uncovering new therapeutic strategies.

The Chemical Biology Discussion Group End-of-Year Symposium offers a platform for dynamic discussions and collaboration between chemists equipped with cutting-edge technologies and biologists eager to apply these tools to solve complex biological problems. The program highlights two distinguished keynote speakers — Christina Schroeder, PhD, from Genentech, and Jack Taunton, PhD, from the University of California, San Francisco — and a selection of junior researchers showcasing innovative work in chemical biology. Attendees will gain insights into the latest discoveries, spanning topics such as chemical probes, drug design, and molecular therapeutics, in this rapidly expanding field.

Sponsors

Presented By

The New York Academy of Sciences
Chemical Biology Discussion Group

Sponsored By

Lead Supporter: Chemical Biology Discussion Group

Academy Friend

American Chemical Society

Winners of the 2024 Tata Transformation Prize Celebrate Bold Innovation for India and Beyond

Three rising scientific stars in India are recognized for their solutions to the nation’s urgent challenges in malnutrition and diabetes, energy storage, and a new RSV vaccine.

Mumbai, India | November 25, 2024 – Tata Sons and The New York Academy of Sciences today announced the second cohort of Winners of the Tata Transformation Prize.

The Prize recognizes and supports visionary scientists in India who are developing breakthrough technologies that address India’s most significant societal challenges in Food Security, Sustainability, and Healthcare. The goal of the prize is to drive impactful innovation and scale-up implementation of high-reward research.

Three scientists were selected from 169 entries from 18 Indian states by an international jury of leading experts. Each winner will receive INR 2 crores (approximately US$240,000) and will be honored at a ceremony in Mumbai in December 2024. The jury included distinguished scientists, clinicians, technologists, and engineers from a diverse array of industries, government, and academic institutions, including Apple, IBM Research, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the National Institute of Advanced Studies, and the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore.

The 2024 Tata Transformation Prize Winners are:

C. Anandharamakrishnan, PhD, CSIR – National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (Food Security):

Hunger and public health are urgent challenges in India, with nearly 30% of the population lacking essential nutrients and 7% affected by diabetes. There is a pressing need for solutions that address both malnutrition and chronic disease. C. Anandharamakrishnan, PhD, has pioneered a variety of rice fortified with multiple essential nutrients that simultaneously has a low glycemic index (GI) to control blood sugar levels in diabetics. He has developed advanced food technologies such as a three-fluid nozzle spray drying process to efficiently encapsulate and deliver these nutrients in reconstituted rice. He has also engineered Asia’s first artificial gastrointestinal system, which allows his team to analyze nutrient release during digestion to ensure the rice is optimized for maximum absorption of nutrients. His strategies address the nutrient deficiencies, hunger, and metabolic dysfunction faced by India’s underserved and the 2 billion people globally affected by micronutrient malnutrition.

Amartya Mukhopadhyay, DPhil, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (Sustainability):

With the urgent global need for sustainable energy solutions, the development of affordable, eco-friendly batteries is critical. In India, where key materials for lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries, such as lithium and cobalt, are scarce and require foreign sources, sodium-ion (Na-ion) batteries offer a promising alternative. Amartya Mukhopadhyay, PhD is working to advance Na-ion battery technologies through recent breakthroughs in materials science. His battery prototype is approximately 30% cheaper than Li-ion batteries, operates in a broader temperature range, and is safer to store by creating air- and water-stable sodium-transition metal oxide cathodes and alloy-based anodes. Prof. Mukhopadhyay’s approach also leverages “aqueous processing” of battery electrodes, which replaces toxic solvents with water to reduce production costs and environmental impact.

Raghavan Varadarajan​, PhD, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore (Healthcare):

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) causes severe respiratory illness in over 30 million people annually, disproportionately affecting infants, young children, and the elderly, with more than 97% of RSV-related deaths occurring in developing countries, including India. Despite the availability of new RSV vaccines, their high cost makes them inaccessible to the populations most at risk. Raghavan Varadarajan, PhD aims to develop a cost-effective RSV vaccine that addresses these challenges. Drawing upon his lab’s extensive expertise in protein structure and vaccine design, Dr. Varadarajan is developing a vaccine that will surmount the challenges that have hindered RSV vaccine development for decades and will provide broad and longer-lasting protection against RSV infection. Furthermore, by employing cutting-edge methods in protein production, Dr. Varadarajan’s team is optimizing the vaccine manufacturing process to significantly reduce costs, potentially lowering the price of each dose by up to 95%.

N. Chandrasekaran, Chairman of the Board of Tata Sons, said, “We are pleased to announce the Tata Transformation Prize Winners for the second year. By supporting pioneering Indian scientists in scaling up their pathbreaking innovations, Tata Group hopes to improve the lives of the Indian people and develop India into a world-class innovator. This prize is intended to provide these scientists with the international visibility to promote these Indian technologies to the rest of the world.”

Nicholas B. Dirks, President and CEO of The New York Academy of Sciences, said, “Congratulations to the second cohort of Winners of the Tata Transformation Prize. From addressing India’s issues such as malnutrition and diabetes, to an RSV vaccine that reduces mortality in the most vulnerable populations, to improving India’s energy storage capacity through greener, more cost-effective battery technologies – these scientists are using their innovations to bolster Indian society. Many thanks to Tata for sponsoring this visionary prize and our independent jury for volunteering their time and expertise.”

About the Tata Transformation Prize

The Tata Transformation Prize was established in 2022 by Tata Sons, is powered by the New York Academy of Sciences, to support breakthrough, innovative technologies that address India’s most significant challenges. By recognizing and supporting the implementation at scale of high-risk, high-reward research, the Prize will drive impactful innovation in scientific disciplines of importance to India’s societal needs and economic competitiveness. The Prize will leverage the exceptional potential of scientists in India to address critical national challenges in three categories—Food Security, Sustainability, and Healthcare—and generate improved life quality outcomes across India and beyond. The Tata Transformation Prize recognizes one Winner in each category, with INR 2 crores (approximately US$240,000) for each Winner. Click here for more information about the Tata Transformation Prize.

About the Tata Group

Founded by Jamsetji Tata in 1868, the Tata Group is a global enterprise, headquartered in India, comprising 30 companies across ten verticals. The group operates in more than 100 countries across six continents, with a mission ‘To improve the quality of life of the communities we serve globally, through long-term stakeholder value creation based on Leadership with Trust’.

Tata Sons is the principal investment holding company and promoter of Tata companies. Sixty-six percent of the equity share capital of Tata Sons is held by philanthropic trusts, which support education, health, livelihood generation and art and culture.

In 2023-24, the revenue of Tata companies, taken together, was more than $165 billion. These companies collectively employ over 1 million people.

Each Tata company or enterprise operates independently under the guidance and supervision of its own board of directors. There are 26 publicly listed Tata enterprises with a combined market capitalization of more than $365 billion as on March 31, 2024.

Companies include Tata Consultancy Services, Tata Motors, Tata Steel, Tata Chemicals, Tata Consumer Products, Titan, Tata Capital, Tata Power, Tata Communications, Indian Hotels, Tata Digital, Air India and Tata Electronics. Website: https://www.tata.com

Media Contact

Tata Sons
Harsha Ramachandra
harsha.r@tata.com

Discovering Cancer Therapies through Neuroscience

The 2024 recipient of the Ross Prize in Molecular Medicine is exploring the interactions between cancer cells and the nervous system.

Published November 11, 2024

By Megan Prescott, PhD

Michelle Monje, MD, PhD

What does it take to pioneer a new field of science? For Michelle Monje, MD, PhD, the key is humility, collaboration, and resilience.

Prof. Monje, the Milan Gambhir Professor of Pediatric Neuro-Oncology at Stanford University School of Medicine, was awarded the 2024 Ross Prize in Molecular Medicine, administered by the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research and the journal Molecular Medicine, for her outstanding contributions to research relating to the neuroscience of cancer and its implications for therapy.

“Winning the Ross Prize is an enormous honor,” said Prof. Monje. “It’s wonderful to see cancer neuroscience being recognized in this way because it has so much potential for clinical translation and the potential to improve outcomes for very difficult-to-treat cancers. I’m just absolutely delighted to see this recognition shine a light on this emerging field.”

The emerging field of cancer neuroscience explores interactions between cancer cells and the components of the nervous system—neurons, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, microglia, Schwann cells and peripheral nerves—and the effects of these interactions on cancer initiation, progression, the tumor immune microenvironment and metastasis. It differs from closely related fields like neuro-oncology in distinct ways.

“Cancer neuroscience is a field at the intersection of neuroscience and cancer biology and it recognizes, what is increasingly appreciated, as the critical role of the nervous system in driving malignancy,” Prof. Monje explains. “Neuro-oncology concerns itself with a particular type of cancer emerging from, or occurring within, the nervous system. Cancer neuroscience includes not only those tumors, but also really every cancer, as it’s influenced by either the central or peripheral nervous system.”

Humility, Collaboration, Resilience

Prof. Monje received her MD and PhD in neuroscience from Stanford University and completed her residency training in neurology at the Mass General Brigham program in Boston. She then returned to Stanford for a clinical fellowship in pediatric neuro-oncology. She chose this field because she “recognized very early on that our therapies for many diseases of the nervous system and especially brain cancers are truly insufficient”, in part because “there’s still so much to be learned and so much that is unknown; I felt that in order to help my patients with brain cancers that I needed a much deeper basic understanding of the normal processes from which these tumors emerge,” she explained.

Prof. Monje believes her open-minded approach to her work is a contributing factor for her success.

“I’m constantly humbled by the lack of treatment options I have for most of my patients in neuro-oncology, the kinds of toxicities that those therapies can cause to the nervous system, and our need to do better by understanding more,” she said.

A crucial factor for success in an emerging field that intersects multiple disciplines is collaboration.

“Reaching out to expert immunologists and learning as much as I can from them has been really valuable, as we’ve discovered potential new therapeutic strategies for these terrible brain cancers that occur in children,” she says, adding that her work with Crystal Mackall, MD, has led to the first-ever CAR-T cell clinical trial for children with diffuse midline glioma (DIPG).

Prof. Monje also cites resilience as a primary driver in her success.

“The newest and sometimes most interesting ideas are the hardest ones to get through publication acceptance. It’s often hard when you have a new perspective, but if you believe in it, and you believe it’s true and important, you have to stick with it and keep beating that drum,” she says.

Connecting Neuroscience, Immunology, and Neuro-Oncology

Prof. Monje is committed to broadening her understanding of cancer neuroscience. Her research focuses on the connections between neuroscience, immunology, and neuro-oncology. Specifically, she studies the intricate communication between neurons and glial cells in normal and disease brain function. Her work has revealed how cancer cells can exploit this process to drive tumor growth in brain cancers. She is excited to see this field grow and the potential for the development of new therapies for cancer patients.

“There’s a fascinating crosstalk between the nervous system, the immune system, and cancers that I think are critically important, not only for the fundamental ways that these tumors grow and progress, but because they need to be understood in order for us to successfully leverage really promising immune therapies,” she says. “So, I’m very excited about this intersection of three fields that is occurring within cancer neuroscience.”

Exploring how cancer takes advantage of normal mechanisms of the development and plasticity of the brain, the field of cancer neuroscience can also lead to insight into the mechanisms of normal brain development that are important for learning and memory. Additionally, this may better our understanding of the development of other diseases ranging from epilepsy to opiate addiction.

“There’s been a wide range of implications for the lessons we’ve learned, from cancer, by studying the neuroscience,” Prof. Monje explains.

Ultimately, for Prof. Monje, the greatest driver of her success in advancing the field of cancer neuroscience is her patients.

“I feel so inspired after returning from clinic to ask very specific questions in the laboratory. Not only about the disease, but also about the normal nervous system,” she explains. “Throughout my career, the privilege of taking care of patients has really guided the basic science that we do.”

Read more about the Ross Prize and past awardees:

A Vital Imperative in Rwanda’s Marburg Virus Outbreak

Healthcare workers in Rwanda are disproportionately affected by the ongoing outbreak of Marburg virus disease, which is highly virulent despite its relatively low case fatality rate. How can these medical professionals best protect themselves?

Published October 30, 2024

By Syra Madad, D.H.Sc., M.Sc., MCP, CHEP and Nahid Bhadelia, MD, MALD

A shot of downtown Kigali, the capital city of Rwanda.
Image courtesy of F.C.G. – stock.adobe.com.

As Rwanda faces its first outbreak of Marburg virus disease (MVD), it stands at a pivotal moment. The country has confirmed 65 cases of Marburg as of October 28, 2024, with 47 recoveries and 15 deaths, a relatively low case fatality rate (CFR) of 23%. This is a testament to the strength of Rwanda’s healthcare system, which has earned a reputation as one of the most resilient and high-quality systems in Africa. Although this may be Rwanda’s first MVD outbreak, the country is not a stranger to the threat posed by viral hemorrhagic fevers (VHFs). It has had to maintain vigilance during recent Ebola Virus Disease outbreaks in neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo.

Yet, despite these strengths, the current outbreak has highlighted an urgent vulnerability: the safety of healthcare workers. Over 80% of confirmed cases are among healthcare workers, a statistic that underscores the pressing need to enhance protections for those on the front lines of this and future outbreaks.

Rwanda’s Health System: A Success Story Under Strain

Rwanda’s healthcare system has made impressive strides since the country’s recovery from the 1994 genocide. Over the past three decades, Rwanda has transformed its health infrastructure to become a leader in healthcare delivery among low-income countries in sub-Saharan Africa. One of the cornerstones of Rwanda’s success is its Mutuelles de Santé, a community-based health insurance scheme that covers over 90% of the population, making healthcare more accessible and affordable for the vast majority of citizens. Through sustained investments in rural healthcare posts and the decentralization of services, Rwanda has significantly improved healthcare accessibility, particularly for those in remote areas.

These advances have contributed to Rwanda’s remarkable achievements in public health. It is one of the few low-income countries to have met the United Nations Millennium Development Goals related to maternal and child health. Rwanda has also seen significant reductions in the burden of diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the country’s proactive response and efficient vaccine rollout enabled it to vaccinate over 82% of its population, setting a benchmark in the region and surpassing many of its peers in sub-Saharan Africa.

However, the Marburg outbreak has brought a new set of challenges. The virus, which is transmitted through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected individuals and can also spread through contaminated surfaces and materials, is highly virulent and shares many similarities with Ebola. Despite Rwanda’s impressive healthcare achievements, the high rate of nosocomial transmission, where infections spread within healthcare facilities, reveals gaps that must be addressed to protect healthcare workers.

Nosocomial Transmission: A Threat to Frontline Workers

The current Marburg outbreak in Rwanda highlights the risks healthcare workers face in outbreaks of VHFs like MVD, particularly when it is not at forefront of clinical suspicion. Nosocomial transmission, or the spread of the virus within healthcare settings, is not uncommon during VHF outbreaks, but it is particularly dangerous for healthcare workers. In Rwanda, the virus has spread primarily in two hospitals, resulting in a disproportionately high number of infections among healthcare professionals.

This is not unique to Rwanda. Across the continent, healthcare workers have been at the epicenter of VHF outbreaks, often working under extreme pressure, sometimes with limited resources. However, Rwanda’s healthcare system, bolstered by strong government commitment and partnerships with international organizations, is better equipped than most to respond to such a crisis. Access to personal protective equipment (PPE) doesn’t seem to be a limiting factor in this outbreak and is further supported by partners like the World Health Organization during this current outbreak.  

Yet, despite these resources, healthcare workers remain at risk. This points to the fact that while access to PPE is essential, it is not the only solution. Comprehensive infection prevention and control (IPC) measures, proper training, surveillance and monitoring, and a culture of vigilance within healthcare settings are equally crucial to stopping the spread of the virus among those on the front lines. 

Recommendations to Protect Healthcare Workers

Rwanda’s situation is neither unique nor a one-off. The threat posed by viral hemorrhagic fevers like Marburg can emerge anywhere. Any country, regardless of its healthcare infrastructure, can face such outbreaks. The risk of nosocomial transmission, the dangers to healthcare workers, and the broader community impact are universal concerns. The recommendations to strengthen healthcare worker protection in Rwanda extend beyond its borders; they are vital for any nation vulnerable to similar infectious disease threats, which in this globally connected community means all of us. The lessons from Rwanda’s experience provide a framework that can be adapted globally to better protect healthcare workers and communities in the face of future outbreaks.

Here are several recommendations to strengthen the protection of healthcare workers, which apply not only to Rwanda but to any country:

Expand Infection Prevention and Control Training

  • Continuous and widespread training on infection control is critical to ensuring healthcare workers everywhere are equipped to handle outbreaks of high consequence infectious diseases like MVD. Regular refresher courses, as well as simulations of outbreak scenarios, should be a priority to ensure that healthcare workers remain prepared.

Strengthen Surveillance and Early Detection Systems

  • Robust surveillance systems that allow for rapid identification, isolation, and treatment of cases can mitigate nosocomial transmission, a threat that any healthcare setting faces.

Invest in Healthcare Worker Safety Programs

  • Providing comprehensive support, including mental health services, hazard pay, and strong safety protocols—ensures that healthcare workers across the globe feel secure and protected. Furthermore, healthcare facilities must establish clear reporting structures for IPC breaches, allowing for immediate action to protect both healthcare workers and patients.

Foster Global Partnerships for Vaccine Research and Therapeutics

  • Rwanda is one of the first countries to begin administering vaccines for Marburg, with over 1,149 doses already distributed. However, global support is needed to expand vaccine research and ensure that healthcare workers, those most at risk, are prioritized in vaccination campaigns. Supporting vaccine and therapeutic research, while prioritizing healthcare workers for vaccination, is a global imperative that transcends national boundaries. Rwanda has set a commendable record in deployment of the chAD3 MARV vaccine as part of an open label Phase II trial during the current MVD outbreak, administering 1,609 doses as of October 28th.

A Global Responsibility

Despite the challenges posed by the Marburg outbreak, Rwanda’s response has been commendable. The government’s swift action, transparent communication, and coordinated efforts with international partners have likely prevented a far worse scenario. The relatively low CFR of 23%, compared to historical outbreaks where CFRs have reached as high as 90%, is a testament to the effectiveness of supportive care and early intervention. Rwanda’s healthcare system, known for its resilience, has once again demonstrated its capacity to respond to complex health emergencies.

However, the Marburg outbreak in Rwanda is a stark reminder that viral hemorrhagic fevers are not distant or isolated threats, they are recurring global health crises that require sustained attention and investment. The global health community must rally behind Rwanda, not only to control the current outbreak but to build a future where healthcare workers are fully protected from such dangers.

Healthcare workers are the backbone of any outbreak response, and their safety should be a top priority. The lessons learned from this outbreak in Rwanda should serve as a blueprint for future responses worldwide. Protecting those who protect us is not just a moral imperative, it is essential to ensuring that health systems can withstand the shocks of the next inevitable outbreak.

About the Co-Author

Nahid Bhadelia, MD, MALD, is founding Director at the Boston University Center on Emerging Infectious Diseases, and an associate professor in the Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine.

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Chemical Biology of Nucleic Acids

The field of chemical biology applies chemical approaches to probe biological systems, aiming to understand their functions and develop solutions for critical issues in biotechnology and human health. The Chemical Biology of Nucleic Acids conference will explore the intersection of chemistry and biology to advance our understanding of nucleic acid functions, including DNA, RNA, and their synthetic analogs. This event will highlight cutting-edge research at the intersection of chemistry and biology, with sessions covering topics such as chemical control of RNA function and RNA-based therapeutics.

Attendees will engage with leading experts in the field and discuss novel approaches to harnessing nucleic acids for transformative applications in biotechnology and human health. This conference will bring together chemists and biologists interested in learning about the latest ideas in this rapidly growing field.

Sponsors

Presented By

The New York Academy of Sciences
Chemical Biology Discussion Group

Sponsored By

Lead Supporter: Chemical Biology Discussion Group

Adipose Health and Obesogenic Memory

Join leading experts at the forefront of adipose biology, genetics, metabolism, and metabolic memory research for a one-day event on April 3, 2025, in New York City. The New York Academy of Sciences invites you to “Adipose Health and Obesogenic Memory” where top basic, translational, and clinical scientists will explore the most current adipose biology studies and their relevance to obesity and cardiometabolic disease.

Emerging evidence indicates that adipose tissue plays a pivotal role in regulating the metabolic memory of obesity. Gaining deeper insights into the biology of adipose tissue is crucial for understanding how its health impacts metabolic diseases. This knowledge could also guide the development of innovative therapies aimed at improving metabolic outcomes.

Take part in this exciting conference to explore the latest advancements in adipose tissue research and its crucial role in metabolic health. Don’t miss the chance to engage with renowned experts, uncover groundbreaking studies, and discuss innovative therapeutic strategies.

Sponsors

Presented By

The New York Academy of Sciences
Biochemical Pharmacology Discussion Group

Sponsored By

Lead Supporters: Biochemical Pharmacology Discussion Group

Supporter: Biochemical Pharmacology Discussion Group

Therapeutic Approaches to Protein Misfolding in Neurodegenerative Disease

Maintenance of proteostasis, an interconnected network of cellular processes that govern protein synthesis, folding, and degradation, is critical for cellular health. Imbalances in proteostasis are closely associated with aging and prevalent human neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s Disease and Parkinson’s Disease. This symposium will bring together leading experts in proteostasis biology, neurodegenerative disease research, clinical practice, pharmaceutical development, and investors to discuss the latest advancements in the field. The meeting will serve as a dynamic platform for stimulating discussions on translating current knowledge of proteostasis into innovative therapeutic strategies to address protein misfolding in neurodegenerative diseases.

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