Unlocking the Code of Life: A Conversation on the Promises of Biotechnology

Biotechnology is revolutionizing how we understand and treat disease, moving beyond traditional medicine to harness the power of our own biology. This panel brings together leading FAU experts to discuss the cutting-edge ways we are "unlocking the code of life" to improve human health. From personalized nutrition and advanced heart care to the future of brain repair and the AI-driven discovery of new medicines, this discussion will reveal how breakthroughs in the lab are rapidly translating into life-changing solutions for our community.

Discussion Highlights:

• A New Era for the Brain: Repairing Nerves and Preventing Disease: Learn about how scientists are working on repairing a damaged nervous system—even the spinal cord. Learn about the promising new research using our own biology to protect and mend nerves, offering hope for future treatments for Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and other brain and nerve disorders.
• The "Second Brain" in Your Gut: Nutrition and Personalized Health: Discover the power of your gut microbiome (the trillions of bacteria living inside you) and why it's called your "second brain." Experts will discuss how biotechnology is using this knowledge to create personalized diets, better probiotics, and new ways to fight obesity, diabetes, and other chronic illnesses.
• Protecting Your Heart and Metabolism: Stopping Disease Before It Starts: Find out how your diet and lifestyle impact the delicate lining of your blood vessels and contribute to diseases like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. We will share research aimed at understanding the earliest signs of damage to develop preventative strategies that keep your heart healthy and reduce the long-term side effects of treatments like chemotherapy in children.

• AI and the Future Drug Discovery: Hear from an industry expert on how Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data science are completely changing how medicine is made. AI can quickly process huge amounts of biological data to find new drugs faster and increase the chance that they work in patients. Learn how this technology is helping scientists move beyond treating symptoms toward finding true cures for complex diseases.

Schedule

Panel discussion: 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Reception with refreshments: 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Panelists

Laura Fontenas, Ph.D. 

Assistant Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Florida Atlantic University

Nicole Vitale, Ph.D., R.D.N. 

Assistant Professor, Department of Exercise Science and Health Promotion, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Florida Atlantic University

Claudia Rodrigues, Ph.D. 

Associate Professor, Biomedical Science, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine

John Piccone 

Partner, URIKA [bioworks]

Location

Visit: https://science.fau.edu/frontiers.

Guests can park for free during this event. Parking can be found in Parking Garage 1 to the north of the Student Union.

Learn MoreL earn more and view a map for parking: https://science.fau.edu/frontiers/#map.

Live Oak Pavilion room,

Student Union building (UN-31)

Florida Atlantic University

777 Glades Road

Boca Raton, FL 33431

ParkingVisit here for maps, parking, and turn-by-turn directions: https://science.fau.edu/frontiers/#map