COSC 2023 Plenary Speakers
Dr Marcus Conrad, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Institute of Developmental Genetics, Neuherberg, Germany.
Title: Ferroptosis, a metabolic cell death pathway.
Dr. Marcus Conrad is group leader at the Helmholtz Zentrum München in the field of redox regulated cell death signalling and drug discovery. His current research focus is concerned with the study of a recently recognized form of regulated necrotic cell death, now known as ferroptosis. Ferroptosis is a regulated form necrotic cell death characterized by the iron-dependent oxidative destruction of cellular membranes, which is emerging as the underlying cause of a number of diseases such as neurodegeneration, tissue ischemia/reperfusion injury and cancer. By generating and analysing cells and mouse models for the selenoenzyme and key regulator of ferroptosis glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), he has pioneered this field and has made a series of landmark studies that have greatly helped to understand the molecular mechanisms of this death process. Moreover, he has published the first in vivo applicable ferroptosis inhibitor, liproxstatin-1, whose improved derivatives are currently undergoing preclinical development. Dr. Conrad has published more than 100 scientific articles, which have received more than 7000 citations. Furthermore, he holds three patents and has been twice awarded the prestigious m4Award for translating basic knowledge into innovative drugs for novel therapies.
Professor Helmut Sies, Institute for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany.
Title: Oxidative Stress: Eustress and Distress
Helmut Sies, MD, PhD (hon), studied medicine at the universities of Tübingen, Munich and Paris. He was Professor and Chair of the Institute for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I at Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Germany, where he is now Prof. Emeritus. He is a member of the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina and was President of the Northrhine-Westphalian Academy of Sciences and Arts. He was named ‘Redox Pioneer’; was President of the Society for Free Radical Research International (SFRRI). Helmut Sies introduced the concept of “Oxidative Stress” in 1985, and he first detected hydrogen peroxide as a normal constituent of aerobic cell metabolism. His research interests comprise redox biology, oxidants, antioxidants, micronutrients.
Dr Helmut Sies’ attendance at COSC 2020 is sponsored by the Society for Free Radical Research Europe (SFRRE).