Event Recap
Immediately following the Micro Meeting, Team Telomere hosted its fifth annual gala, Cocktails & Chromosomes: Minnesota, on October 18 at the Mayo Civic Center in Rochester. The evening brought together patients, families, advocates, clinicians, and researchers for a celebration of progress in Telomere Biology Disorder science and the community driving it forward.
The night was filled with connection, conversation, and celebration, from a lively 50/50 raffle and photo booth to meaningful community moments shared throughout the evening. A major highlight was Team Telomere’s first-ever live Shark Tank-style scientific grant competition, which awarded $55,000 in research funding to bold, innovative projects with the potential to advance TBD diagnosis and treatment.
In total, four investigators were funded through the inaugural Shark Tank competition, supporting research spanning telomere dysfunction, variant analysis, RNA-based therapeutics, and cryptic mutation detection. The event captured the spirit of Cocktails & Chromosomes, where scientific innovation, community celebration, and shared hope come together in one unforgettable night.
Thank you to everyone who joined us in Minnesota to celebrate how far we’ve come – and to fuel the momentum carrying the Telomere Biology Disorder field forward.
About Cocktails & Chromosomes: Minnesota
Join us for Team Telomere’s fifth annual gala celebration of the Telomere Biology Disorder community: Cocktails & Chromosomes!
This unforgettable evening will celebrate the advancements and accomplishments of all parts of our community including impacted individuals, families, advocates, clinicians, and researchers.
With a blend of special programming, including recognition of outstanding community members and scientific highlights like our Shark Tank-style grant competition, the night will be filled with joy, connection, and inspiration to continue building brighter futures for the TBD community.
Celebrate our community with an elegant evening of meaningful moments that spotlight what we have achieved – and what is to come.
Think cocktail chic meets scientific splendor – we cannot wait to see our community shine!
Location
Mayo Civic Center 30 Civic Center Dr SE Rochester, MN 55904
October 18, 2025
6:00–10:00 PM
Tickets
$125*
$875 for table of 8
*Team Telomere covers the cost for patient families but encourages donations.
Featuring
- Dinner and Awards Program
- Updates from Team Telomere grantees
- Shark Tank-Style Scientific Grant Competition
- Silent Auction and 50/50 Raffle
- Open Bar Hour
- Plated Dinner
- Live Music
Sponsors
Team Telomere thanks our generous partners for their support of this event.
Interested in sponsoring Cocktails & Chromosomes?
Connect with our team at meetings@teamtelomere.org
Re-Live the Joy of our Previous Community Celebrations!
Click the image below to view a carousel of images from community celebrations:
