Moffitt Welcomes Nobel Laureate for Ted Couch Cancer Research Lecture Series
TAMPA, Fla. — Moffitt Cancer Center is hosting Nobel Laureate Phillip A. Sharp, Ph.D., for the 18th annual Ted Couch Cancer Research Lecture. The free event will be held at 3 p.m. Nov. 27 at Moffitt’s Vincent A. Stabile Research Building, 12902 Magnolia Drive.
Sharp is Institute Professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, as well as a member of the Department of Biology and the Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research. His research interests center on the molecular biology of gene expression relevant to cancer and the mechanisms of RNA splicing. His landmark work in 1977 provided the first indications of “discontinuous genes” in mammalian cells. This discovery fundamentally changed scientists’ understanding of gene structure and earned Sharp the 1993 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.
RNA, or ribonucleic acid, is the molecular sibling of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), which is found in every cell in your body. DNA encodes all the information needed for development, growth, reproduction and functioning of an organism. When a cell needs to activate to do a task, RNA copies are made of your DNA and these RNAs can have regulatory functions, or encode proteins of the cell. Sharp will discuss how cancer researchers are manipulating RNA to develop of new therapies to treat cancer.
A cocktail reception will follow Sharp’s presentation. RSVP to 1-888-456-2839.
About Moffitt Cancer Center
Moffitt is dedicated to one lifesaving mission: to contribute to the prevention and cure of cancer. The Tampa-based facility is one of only 49 National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers, a distinction that recognizes Moffitt’s scientific excellence, multidisciplinary research, and robust training and education. Moffitt is a Top 10 cancer hospital and has been nationally ranked by U.S. News & World Report since 1999. Moffitt devotes more than 2 million square feet to research and patient care. Moffitt’s expert nursing staff is recognized by the American Nurses Credentialing Center with Magnet® status, its highest distinction. With more than 6,000 team members, Moffitt has an economic impact in the state of $2.1 billion. For more information, call 1-888-MOFFITT (1-888-663-3488), visit MOFFITT.org, and follow the momentum on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.