Conference: 2012 Protein Transport Across Cell Membranes GRC and GRS-March 10-16, 2012 in Galveston, Texas

第四届两年一度的蛋白质跨细胞膜运输戈登研究会议（GRC）将于3月11日至16日举行，在此之前，将于3月10日至11日举行第一届戈登研究研讨会。这些会议将共同关注蛋白质跨膜或进入生物膜转运的机制。蛋白质转运机制的阐明仍然是现代细胞生物学的一个基本目标，因为大约30%的蛋白质要么通过细胞膜转运，要么整合到细胞膜上。此外，蛋白质转运缺陷导致了几种人类遗传疾病，传染性微生物利用蛋白质转运系统向植物和动物传递毒力因子。蛋白质易位机制（translocases）是高度复杂的纳米机器，包括多个受体、马达、检查点、通道和复杂的调节电路。因此，这一领域的进展需要一种综合的方法，包括生物化学、遗传学、x射线晶体学、冷冻电镜和荧光单分子成像。该会议是美国唯一定期召开的会议，致力于深入报道蛋白质转运领域。它汇集了这些不同方法的专家来报告未发表的数据，评估假设，并产生新的理论和方法。2012年蛋白质跨细胞膜转运GRC的总体目标是促进蛋白质转运领域知识和方法前沿的交流和激烈讨论。这将在很大程度上通过明智地选择和征聘发言者和讨论领导人，以及通过密集但非正式的会议GRC形式来实现。2012年会议将以概述会议开始，向与会者介绍该领域的实验系统、方法和概念的范围。其他会议将涵盖主要运输系统的机械方面（在一些真核生物中为15至20；在原核生物中为10），以及新的运输系统。这次会议将推进对这些基本的和不同的蛋白质运输纳米机器的工作原理的了解。已经有35位特邀演讲者和讨论主持人接受了邀请，表明了对这次会议的高度热情。更广泛的影响：这些相关会议的使命是提供一个论坛，既教育有经验的研究人员，又介绍新的研究人员进入该领域。GRC格式鼓励对未发表的数据和想法进行广泛而热烈的讨论，非常适合实现这些目标。相关的GRS是一个丰富的培训环境，将为博士后和学生提供参与此类讨论的信心。首先，GRS参与者将获得有关蛋白质易位的概念、原理和机制的基本背景知识。其次，他们将收到关于他们的研究的反馈，与他们的同行和高级研究人员建立联系，并在一个不令人生畏的环境中提高他们的演讲和讨论技能。其他整合年轻研究人员的机制将包括选择GRC简短讲座和部分支持GRC注册。在2010年的会议上，女性参与者占与会者的38%。2012年的GRC和GRS将获得一个性别（和其他少数民族）平衡的演讲者计划，优先考虑演讲者和讨论领袖，包括注册支持。与国际分布的与会者一起，GRC和GRS将提供丰富的教育经验，将指导不同的新一代科学家进入这一领域和相关领域。

Intellectual Merit:The fourth biennial Protein Transport Across Cell Membranes Gordon Research Conference (GRC) will be held March 11-16 and will be preceded by the first Gordon Research Seminar for this meeting on March 10-11. Together these conferences will focus on mechanisms involved in translocating proteins across or into biological membranes. Elucidation of protein transport mechanisms remains a fundamental objective of modern cell biology as ~30% of all proteins are either transported across or integrated into cellular membranes. Moreover, defects in protein transport result in several human genetic diseases, and infectious microbes use protein transport systems to deliver virulence factors to plants and animals. Protein translocation machineries (translocases) are highly sophisticated nanomachines, comprising multiple receptors, motors, checkpoints, channels and complex regulatory circuits. As such, progress in this field requires an integrated approach that combines diverse methodologies including biochemistry, genetics, x-ray crystallography, cryo-EM, and fluorescence single molecule imaging. This conference is the only regularly scheduled meeting in the US devoted to an in-depth coverage of the protein transport field. It assembles specialists in these varied methodologies to report unpublished data, to evaluatehypotheses, and to generate new theories and approaches. The overall goal of 2012 Protein Transport across Cell Membranes GRC is to stimulate the exchange and vigorous discussion of the frontiers of knowledge and methodology in the protein transport field. This will be accomplished in large part by the judicious selection and recruitment of speakers and discussion leaders, and also by the intense but informal GRC format of the conference. The 2012 conference will begin with an overview session that will inform participants on the range of experimental systems, approaches, and concepts of this field. Other sessions will cover mechanistic aspects of major transport systems (15 to 20 in some eukaryotes; up to 10 in prokaryotes), as well as novel transport systems. This conference will advance knowledge into the workings of these essential and varied protein transport nanomachines. Thirty-five invited speakers and discussion leaders have already accepted, indicating a high level of enthusiasm for this meeting.Broader impacts: The mission of these associated meetings is to provide a forum that both educates experienced researchers and introduces new investigators into the field. The GRC format, which encourages extensive and spirited discussions of unpublished data and ideas, is perfect for these goals. The associated GRS is a rich training environment that will provide postdocs and students the confidence to engage in such discussions. First, GRS participants will receive basic background in the concepts, principles, and mechanisms involved in protein translocation. Second, they will receive feedback on their research, network with their peers and senior investigators, and sharpen their skills in presentation and discussion in a non-intimidating environment. Other mechanisms to integrate young investigators will include selection for GRC short talks and partial support for GRC registration. Female participants made up 38% of the participants at the 2010 conference. The 2012 GRC and GRS will obtain a gender- (and other minority-) balanced program of speakers with preference for speakers and discussion leaders that will include registration support. Together with an international distribution of attendees, the GRC and GRS will provide a rich educational experience that will mentor a diverse new generation of scientists into this and related fields.