A new hope for multiple sclerosis | Public seminar

https://www.garvan.org.au/news-resour... There is currently no cure for multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic, degenerative disease of the brain and spinal cord that affects more than 33,000 people in Australia alone. Thanks to a new research consortium led by the Garvan Institute and St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney, there is new hope for early detection and improved management. The Open Coast-to-Coast Australian Multiple Sclerosis (OCCAMS) consortium is a world-class interdisciplinary team of more than 40 clinicians and scientists who are leveraging state-of-the-art technologies to analyse individual cells from MS patients. Their aim is to detect genetic ‘biomarkers’ in immune cells that could lead to early detection of multiple sclerosis risk, earlier intervention and, ultimately, preventative therapies. At this seminar, you will hear from three researchers who are rising to the challenge of investigating this new therapy approach with life-changing potential for MS patients. Panel Professor Tri Phan Professor Tri Phan is the scientific lead of the OCCAMS Consortium, Co-Director of the Precision Immunology Program at Garvan and immunologist at St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney. He is a pioneer and early adaptor of innovative cutting-edge technologies, including single cell genomics, to solve long-standing clinical and biological questions that are fundamental to our understanding of immune responses to infection, autoimmunity and cancer. Dr Jennifer Massey Dr Jennifer Massey is the clinical lead of the OCCAMS Consortium and a neurologist working across the St Vincent’s campus with expertise in multiple sclerosis and complex neuroimmunological disorders. As a clinical scientist, Dr Massey is passionate about the care of patients with MS and active in translational research aimed at improving patient outcomes. Dr Seyhan Yazar Dr Seyhan Yazar is a medical scientist and computational biologist with expertise in complex disease genetics. She has collaborated on several research projects that focused on the analysis of genetic and environmental factors in complex diseases and strives to develop precision biomarkers that aid in clinical decision making. Mr Mark Elisha Mr Mark Elisha is a member of the OCCAMS lived-experience advisory team. He is one of 33,000 Australians currently affected by multiple sclerosis. His perspective gives our OCCAMS scientists valuable insight into the desired focus and outcomes that will most benefit people at risk of developing MS.