AAA 2013 Scientific Sessions

The frontier of cell migration is defined by our ability to decipher the mechanisms that underlie this basic phenomena.  Yet, collecting the in vivo multiscale data necessary to move from descriptive to mechanistic models of cell migration events has been extremely challenging.  In this session, we will hear how recent advances in intravital imaging now offer exciting visualization and collection of multiscale cell dynamics data in living embryos and adult model systems.  The speakers will present examples from development, neurobiology, and cancer with the goal of engaging discussion of imaging strategies and mechanistic hypotheses of complex cell migration events.
 
     Rakesh Jain (Harvard Medical School & Massachusetts General Hospital)
     Normalizing Tumor Vasculature and Microenvironment: Insights from In Vivo Microscopy

Pathogens have devised a variety of elaborate strategies to control host cells for their benefit and through studying microbial-host cell interactions a number of seminal findings have emerged.  These include the discovery and function of the Arp2/3 complex, understanding how microbes control endocytic processes and determining how signalling events are usurped during disease progression. In this symposium we will hear from three of the world’s leading bacterial and viral infection researchers as they present their discoveries that continue to shape our cell biological and microbiological landscapes.

How versatile is the vascular smooth muscle cell? What is its kinship to related cells such as “fibroblasts”? And how, if at all, can we identify the characteristics of a “true” vascular smooth muscle cell?  Or is the term — vascular smooth muscle — simply our meager attempt to put this fascinating cell in a convenient box? The story of vascular smooth muscle cells and their many incarnations begins early in development and continues well into adulthood. The Symposium speakers bring unique perspectives to address how VSM cells and their progenitors decide what is required of them in response to different biological and physiological environments.

Based on the recent studies of non-model vertebrate groups, this session will discuss the origin and developmental components for the vertebrate body plan, and embryological and developmental changes and factors that resulted in novel craniofacial patterns in evolution. James Hanken talks about the evolutionary and developmental roles of neural crest cells in the evolution of the vertebrate skull, and Shigeru Kuratani deals with the embryonic anatomy of the hagfish craniofacial region to characterize the morphology of cyclostomes, to understand the origin gnathostome cranial region.

The Alzheimer Society of Canada has recently announced that nearly three quarters of a million Canadians (i.e., 2% of the national population) are living with cognitive impairment, including dementias and Alzheimer’s disease.  Of equal concern is the prediction that this number will double by 2031.  Research focused on the neurobiology of aging is advancing our understanding of the cellular events that proceed and predispose the mammalian brain to degenerative events that contribute to the onset and maintenance of cognitive impairments.  Our Hybrid Symposium will highlight Canadian research aimed at resolving critical neurodegenerative events associated with normal and pathological aging in laboratory mammals and humans alike.
AAA will be accepting abstracts for an oral presentation in this hybrid symposium.  Abstracts will be selected by January 2013.

Microcomputed x-ray tomography offers nondestructive 3D imaging of ex vivo specimens at very high resolution (submicron in some newer laboratory scanners) and high resolution scanning in vivo (~20 micrometers).  The technique is best developed for bone and other tissues which strongly attenuate x-rays.  The use of contrast agents is now making this technique useful for soft tissues.  In vivo imaging presents additional challenges.  The speakers will share their expertise in imaging of cartilage and the gut in addition to bone and will provide insight into optimizing in vivo imaging.  These methods of performing 3-D imaging, data processing and analysis should be applicable to a variety of tissues of interest to anatomists.

The importance of adipose-derived stromal/stem cells (ASCs) and of adipose tissue itself has been proven in a variety of experimental biology systems. Adipose tissue is now recognized as an major endocrine tissue/organ in addition to being a great source of stem cells. First, the impact of adipose tissue from various fat depots on metabolic responses at the tissue level will be presented by André Tchernof, PhD. Then, tissue engineering applications and cellular therapies making promising use of ASCs will be discussed by Julie Fradette, PhD. Finally, translational medicine applications of ASCs and fat grafting in a clinical setting will be presented by Adam Katz, MD.

This session will examine the impact of overnutrition on autophagy and mitochondrial quality control, with special attention to the heart.  Dr. Shirihai will discuss mitochondrial shape changes and autophagy, and will present data on the effects of specific nutrients on mitochondrial quality control.  The molecular basis of mitochondrial quality control will be reviewed.  Dr. Mentzer will present data from translational models of metabolic syndrome (Zucker obese rats and Yucatan miniswine fed a high fat, high fructose diet), and early clinical data from heart surgery patients.  Dr. Gottlieb will present data on the role of mitophagy in cardioprotection, and the basis for cardioprotection by statins.