Targeted Protein Degradation - ABSTRACT Support is requested for a Keystone Symposia conference entitled Targeted Protein Degradation, organized by Drs. James Bradner, Eric Fischer and Brenda Schulman. The conference will be held in Keystone, Colorado from January 29- February 1, 2023. This Keystone Symposia conference will focus on advances in the rapidly evolving field of targeted protein degradation (TPD). Over the past five years, the field has moved from proof of concept to the development of degrader drugs in clinical trials. Clinical impact has brought a sense of urgency and broadened interest for formulating and clarifying a new science of degradation. TPD has focused on cullin ring ligases and their substrate receptors, cereblon and VHL, along with other degradation pathways such as autophagy, ERAD, heat shock chaperones and monovalent degraders that are emerging as part of the TPD field. Currently small molecule degraders induce the formation of non-native protein-protein interactions. Elucidation of mechanistic details that drive ternary complex formation, and the timely sharing of these discoveries, are critical to give the field momentum and drive it forward. This Keystone Symposia conference will invite leaders in the field, from around the world, to share insights across diverse disciplines that will provide insight into the biophysics, chemistry, cell biology and genetic basis for this new science. There will a strong emphasis on renewing the spirit of face-to-face exchanges among subject matter experts with the idea to maximize interactions, formulate questions and foster new collaborations.
