CONFERENCE: 2002 Gordon Research Conference on Magnesium in Biochemical Processes & Medicine, February 3 - 8, 2002 in Ventura, California

虽然镁（Mg 2+）在生物化学和生理过程中的作用现在比以往任何时候都更广泛地受到重视，但我们对正常Mg 2+生理学的理解仍然存在巨大差距。 与我们对钙的各种作用的理解相比，我们对Mg 2+的分子，生物化学和生理作用的理解非常不足。 例如，Mg 2+浓度在细胞内受到严格调节，但Mg 2+进入细胞的机制完全未知。 迄今为止，还没有鉴定出Mg 2+通道，并且第一个膜Mg 2+转运蛋白（通道、载体或泵）尚未分离。 至于细胞外的Mg 2+，血液（血浆）中的Mg 2+浓度受到严格调节（如钙），但迄今尚未发现Mg 2+激素。 因此，重要的是，新的，年轻的镁生物学研究人员鼓励智力和财政支持。该奖项提供资金，以支持12名年轻的分子生物学家在2002年2月3日至2月8日在加利福尼亚州文图拉举行的第八届戈登镁生物过程和医学会议上展示他们的工作海报。 鉴于分子生物学对我们理解镁在生命基本过程（光合作用，DNA和蛋白质的稳定，300多种细胞酶的激活）中的作用的承诺，NSF基金将专门用于研究镁基础科学的年轻研究人员。 这些资金将用于补贴他们的旅费和/或会议费，每人600美元。 新的镁研究人员将根据三个标准进行选择：1）他们必须在过去3年中发表了关于镁的化学，生理学或分子生物学的重要论文，2）他们必须是镁戈登研究会议的新成员，3）他们可能会长期致力于生理学的基础研究，镁的生物化学和分子生物学。 招募和培养年轻的研究人员是特别适合的戈登会议，重点是科学的前沿。

Although the role of magnesium (Mg2+) in biochemical and physiological processes is more widely appreciated now than it ever was, huge gaps remain in our understanding of normal Mg2+ physiology. Compared to our understanding of the multifarious roles of calcium, our understanding of the molecular, biochemical and physiological roles of Mg2+ are woefully inadequate. For example, Mg2+ concentrations are tightly regulated inside cells, but the mechanism of Mg2+ entry into cells is entirely unknown. No Mg2+-channel has been identified to this date, and the first membrane Mg2+ transporter (channel, carrier, or pump) has yet to be isolated. As to Mg2+ outside cells, Mg2+ concentrations in the blood (plasma) are tightly regulated (like calcium), but a Mg2+ hormone has not been discovered to date. Hence it is important that new, young investigators of magnesium biology are encouraged intellectually and supported financially. This award provides funds to support the travel of 12 young molecular biologists to present posters of their work at the 8th Gordon Conference on Magnesium in Biological Processes and Medicine to be held in Ventura CA from Feb. 3 to Feb. 8, 2002. In view of the promise that molecular biology holds for our understanding of magnesium in basic processes of life (photosynthesis, the stabilization of DNA and proteins, the activation of over 300 cell enzymes), the NSF funds will be earmarked for young investigators who study the basic science of magnesium. The funds will be used to subsidize their travel and/or conference fees at the level of $ 600 each. This new cadre of magnesium investigators will be selected according to three criteria: 1) they must have published a significant paper on the chemistry, physiology, or molecular biology of magnesium in the past 3 years, 2) they must be new to the Magnesium Gordon Research Conference, and 3) they are likely to make a long-term commitment to basic research on the physiology, biochemistry and molecular biology of magnesium. The recruitment and the nurturing of young investigators are particularly appropriate for the Gordon Conferences that focus on the Frontiers of Science.