SE08 - Cajal's challenge accepted: Sharpening the toolbox for in vivo cell fate conversion (09:00-20:00)

Direct lineage reprogramming in vivo emerges as a novel approach for the repair of tissues with little intrinsic regenerative capacity. Recent years have seen a tremendous amount of progress, providing proof-of-principle evidence for the feasibility of converting cell fate in the brain, pancreas, and the heart. In the brain, glia-to-neuron conversion opens potential avenues to regenerate neurons lost due to injury or neurodegenerative disease. However, to move the field from proof-of-principle to preclinical studies requires an improved toolbox that allows precise targeting of starting cells, their efficient cell fate conversion, and unambiguous proof thereof. In this one-day satellite workshop, we aim at bringing together leaders in the field to discuss the current state-of-the-art as well as barriers impeding progress. A special focus is placed on sharpening our molecular toolbox available for direct in vivo lineage reprogramming and the best strategies to prove its authenticity.