BRIGHT IDEAS FROM THE BOX CANYON

A monthly newsletter that includes a collection of important news and updates from Telluride Science.

IN THE NEWS

Scientists attending the "Role of Fluctuations and Dynamics in Biomolecular Function" workshop

Happy 2024! The year is off to a great start. Our January 4th collaborative event with the Telluride Foundation, Artificial Intelligence 101, was well attended by donors of both organizations and the public. Attendees enjoyed learning about the benefits and concerns about this rapidly growing technology. Thank you to tech expert Moiz Kohari for sharing his knowledge and leading the discussion.

The recent snow is ideal timing for our scientists attending the first workshop of the year “Role of Fluctuations and Dynamics in Biomolecular Function." They hit the slopes in the morning to brainstorm in the outdoor classroom before the start of their afternoon workshop which explores ways to understand how tiny biological structures move and function using big datasets. This information is crucial for developing new drugs and designing advanced biomaterials.

Our fundraising efforts are in full force. We are so appreciative to our generous supporters who contributed to our year-end giving campaign. Grants also play an important role in our fundraising. We are grateful to the Telluride Foundation for a capital grant and to the Telluride Mountain Village Owners Association (TMVOA) for a grant to offset the costs of Town Talks.

THE DEPOT CAMPAIGN

We are pushing hard to meet out fundraising goal by the time the Depot is complete in July. We have of our capital campaign with $3.38M left to raise. Naming opportunities are available for the entire facility, individual rooms in the building, as well as the deck and patio.

If you would like to take a tour of the Depot or have friends or colleagues who might be interested in supporting the Telluride Science & Innovation Center, please email Annie Carlson .

The Depot will be available to rent for holiday parties, weddings, rehearsal dinners, nonprofit meetings and more starting July 2024. Reserve the Depot.

SPOTLIGHT ON SCIENCE

VADIM BACKMAN

Professor of Biomedical Engineering & Medicine at Northwestern University

Associate Director of Research Technology and Infrastructure in Cancer and Physical Sciences at the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center

Vadim Backman is like the energizer bunny. It is astounding what he accomplishes in a day. Not only is he a Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Medicine at Northwestern University, but also heads up several research centers and is an entrepreneur focused on cutting-edge biomedical treatments. There doesn’t seem to be enough hours in the day to pack in more, but Backman also developed a new field in science, physical genomics, which examines the possibility of reprogramming cells to prevent and treat diseases. This new field, supported by National Institute of Health (NIH), holds great promise to revolutionize medicine and how disease is treated.

In fact, physical genomics was developed because of a Telluride Science workshop. Backman is a staunch believer in the power of the organization’s collaborative and multi-disciplinary approach. “One of the great powers of Telluride Science is that it may significantly speed up the creation of new technologies and new knowledge that would otherwise take decades and decades to develop. There is no structure or organization like this anywhere else.”

At the core of Backman's research in physical genomics lies a profound question: Can we reprogram cells to prevent and treat diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer's? Or can we reprogram cells in such a way that we can regenerate organs?

This bold inquiry has led to groundbreaking discoveries that hold the potential to revolutionize medicine. Learn more about physical genomics in the video below.

More About Vadim

Vadim with his son James and wife Luisa during a recent Telluride ski trip.

Q & A WITH VADIM BACKMAN

What is unique about Telluride Science workshops?

I don’t believe there is another similar platform or institution that has made as significant of a contribution to innovative science as this organization. There are several reasons. Telluride Science is a platform for scientists to meet, exchange ideas and create new ones. Most conventional scientific meetings focus on a certain field and people are not interested in listening or opening their minds to new ideas from a different field. People attend these conferences to showcase their work in front of other top people in their field, so they are noticed. It is more of a marketing campaign than a real exchange of ideas or exploring new horizons.

How has Telluride Science impacted your career?

Without Telluride Science, I wouldn’t be doing what I am currently doing. Several years ago, I organized a workshop and brought in scientists from across many different fields—genomics, molecular biology, mathematics, physics, computation -all very different fields. Bringing them all together was very helpful as It created an exchange of information that was far reaching. Physical Genomics, a new field in science, was created as a result of this workshop. There are many revolutionary developments on the horizon that are possible as a result of physical genomics.

Is there a grand challenge that your field of study could potentially solve?

Physical Genomics can be applied to combat many common diseases like cancer and Alzheimer’s. Currently, there is a lot of work in the area of cancer.

Complete Q & A

WHAT'S PLAYING

Physical Genomics could be a key piece in the puzzle to developing for new treatments for cancer and Alzheimers. Learn more about this new field of science.

WATCH

HOST A SCIENTIST

Finding affordable lodging for our scientists is a growing challenge. If you are interested in hosting a scientist for five or six nights at an affordable rate in your guest house, condo, or home this winter or next summer, email Annie Carlson.

A SPECIAL THANKS

We are so grateful to the following people for offering to host a scientist:

Andi Alexander
Vadim Backman & Luisa Marcelino
Meg & Jay Bodnar
Miles & Nicole Cook
Sally Puff Courtney & Jim Harley
John & Sueanne Kim
Scott Pearson & Diana Farrell
Lori & Tony Petosa
Matt Porteus
Tom & Josie Preston
Jim & Joanne Steinback
Tom & Donna Stone

WHAT'S HAPPENING

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Recycle your Christmas Tree

The San Miguel County tree disposal site is open at the Ilium Church Camp parking area near the intersection of Ilium Road and Sunshine Mesa Road. There are red arrows up along the road to point people in the right direction. The site will remain open until the end of January.Please remove all lights and decorations from the trees and do not dump any other debris or trash.

UPCOMING EVENTS

January 20

All Stars Tribute Spectacular

January 27

KOTO Lip Sync Contest

February 1

Telluride Art Walk

We are working on our event schedule for 2024. Stay tuned for more details.

Telluride Inside & Out has a robust event calendar with an abundance of information on events and things to do in Telluride and Mountain Village.

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