Genetics Department Seminar Series: "Hyperactive Ras Signaling in Developmental Disorders and Blood Cancer"

RAS and NF1 genes, which encode core components of the Ras/GTPase molecular switch, are frequently altered by somatic mutations in human cancer. These mutations increase Ras output and drive malignant growth. Germline NF1 mutations cause type 1 neurofibromatosis (NF1) a common dominant multi-system disorder that is the founding member of a group of related developmental disorders collectively called the “Rasopathies”. This seminar will focus on the role of Ras pathway mutations in these different clinical contexts and discuss emerging therapies.