24th Annual Meeting of the PanAmerican Society for Pigment Cell Research: “Harnessing the Power of Scientific Discoveries in Pigment Cell Research"

摘要 泛美色素细胞研究学会2021年年会，题为， “在色素细胞研究中利用科学发现的力量”将在肯塔基州列克星敦举行， 2021年9月22日至25日。PASPCR成立于1988年，由大约100名成员组成 临床医生、发育生物学家、生物化学家、免疫学家、细胞生物学家、光生物学家和化学家 在色素沉着、黑色素和黑素细胞的研究中。PASPCR2021的总体目标是增加 我们对黑素细胞正常和异常的化学、生物学和光生物学的了解 物种及其对人类健康和疾病的贡献。建立在与 美国光生物学学会(ASP)在我们上次的会议上，我们计划召开一次联合全体会议，重点是 关于紫外线损伤和修复，以刺激PASPCR和ASP研究人员之间的互动。此外，我们 正在利用英国正在进行的强大的马匹研究，通过与Gluck Equine合作 英国研究中心在两次全体会议上考虑将马作为研究色素细胞生物学和黑色素瘤的模型 会话。会议的目标是(1)突出黑色素结构和分析的最新进展 跨物种，色素细胞对光和其他环境刺激的反应，以及基因组水平 利用相关动物模型和人体组织了解黑素细胞的功能和转化，(2) 汇集对光保护、黑素细胞发育有浓厚兴趣的研究人员和临床医生 和干细胞生物学与色素疾病的健康差异，以及(3)为年轻人提供指导 调查人员，特别注重发现和克服妇女和 代表不足的少数族裔。我们强调了多样性、包容性和公平性的重要性。 通过两个专门的小组讨论，并邀请肤色协会的教职员工参加我们的会议。在……里面 应受训人员和年轻调查人员的要求，我们正在加入一个小组讨论，重点是 工业背景下的颜料电池研究。我们确保了有意义的年轻调查人员的加入， 在PASPCR2021年的特邀演讲者和领导人中，妇女和少数群体的代表性不足。这个 会议还提供了一个“导师混合器”，为学员和实习生提供了一种结构化的机制 从知名科学家那里获得科学和职业指导。最后，我们正在规划一种混合虚拟 在线/直播格式，采取适当的物理距离措施以应对新冠肺炎疫情，以 最大限度地提高会议参与度。在强大的组织团队的领导下，PASPCR2021有望成为 对色素细胞生物界的持久影响会议。

ABSTRACT The 2021 Annual Meeting of the Pan-American Society for Pigment Cell Research (PASPCR), entitled, “Harnessing the power of scientific discoveries in pigment cell research” will be held in Lexington, Kentucky, September 22-25, 2021. Founded in 1988 and made up of approximately 100 members, the PASPCR unites clinicians, developmental biologists, biochemists, immunologists, cell biologists, photobiologists and chemists in the study of pigmentation, melanin and melanocytes. The overall objective of PASPCR 2021 is to increase our knowledge of the normal and abnormal chemistry, biology, and photobiology of the melanocyte across species and its contribution to human health and disease. Building on the success of partnering with the American Society for Photobiology (ASP) at our last meeting, we are planning a joint plenary session focused on UV damage and repair to stimulate interaction between PASPCR and ASP investigators. In addition, we are taking advantage of the robust equine research being done at UK by partnering with the Gluck Equine Research Center (UK) to consider the horse as a model for pigment cell biology and melanoma in two plenary sessions. The goals of the meeting are to (1) highlight recent advances in melanin structure and analysis across species, in pigment cell response to light and other environmental stimuli, and in genome-level understanding of melanocyte function and transformation using relevant animal models and human tissue, (2) bring together investigators and clinicians with strong interests in photoprotection, melanocyte developmental and stem cell biology and health disparities in pigmentary disease, and (3) provide mentorship to young investigators with a specific focus on identifying and overcoming career barriers of women and underrepresented minorities. We have emphasized the importance of diversity, inclusivity and equity (DEI) with two dedicated panel discussions and by inviting faculty from the Skin of Color Society to our meeting. In response to requests by trainees and young investigators, we are incorporating a panel discussion focused on pigment cell research in the Industry setting. We have ensured meaningful inclusion of young investigators, women, and underrepresented minorities among the invited speakers and leadership of PASPCR 2021. The meeting also features a "Mentorship Mixer" that provides a structured mechanism for students and trainees to obtain scientific and career guidance from well-established scientists. Finally, we are planning a hybrid virtual online/live format with suitable physical distancing measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to maximize participation in the meeting. Led by a strong organizational team, PASPCR 2021 promises to be a conference of lasting impact for the pigment cell biology community.