This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. The two diseases most likely to afflict us as we age – cancer and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's – may both have an Achilles' heel. David Pincus will argue that the two are fundamentally linked by the vital cellular process of "protein folding". This provocative talk posits that protein folding is the key to unlocking all cancers – not just for treating specific cancers, like breast cancer or lung cancer – and for all neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and ALS.

David Pincus, a Fellow at the Whitehead Institute and recipient of the NIH Director's Early Independence Award, is a molecular and cell biologist given the rare opportunity to direct an independent research laboratory and pursue his scientific ideas immediately following completion of his PhD. His studies on how cells respond to stress point to an underlying connection between cancer and neurodegenerative diseases that he hopes to exploit through research to potentially solve both.

About TEDx, x = independently organized event In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)