2011 Nucleic Acids Gordon Research Conference

描述（由申请人提供）：本提案要求部分支持将于2011年6月5日至10日在缅因州比德福德的新英格兰大学举行的核酸会议，作为戈登研究会议系列的一部分。戈登核酸研究会议成立于50多年前，从那时起，核酸生物学的基本发现影响了我们对从核酸化学到核酸在几乎所有生物学方面介导反应中的作用等领域的理解。本次会议的广泛和长期目标是通过汇集世界领先的研究人员在这一迅速发展的领域促进互动，促进跨学科的讨论和合作，从而建立一个讨论新思想的重要论坛，从而增强我们对核酸在生物学，人类健康和疾病中的作用的理解。这次会议的具体目标将是召集35名主要专家，他们涉及这一领域的关键和不同领域，共有150名与会者，在一个相对孤立的环境中举行为期五天的会议，这将促进与会者之间的互动。2011年核酸GRC会议将重点介绍核酸研究的八个广泛分类领域的最新进展，这些领域包括DNA和RNA生物学、生物化学和生物物理学，旨在突出这些领域的新兴概念和技术。具体主题包括：基因组完整性；DNA复制;转录和染色质动力学；转录调控和转录后调控；非编码RNA;RNA稳定性及输出；核糖体的发生、功能及调控核酸结构与催化。这一申请的意义在于，戈登研究会议将提供一个论坛，汇集和协同国际研究界的成员专门从事核酸研究的不同领域。特别是，过去十年的发现使人们对非编码核酸在细胞中的作用及其对调节核酸生物合成和加工的影响重新感到兴奋。RNAi参与染色质沉默和重塑是这次会议效用的另一个主要例子，因为它汇集了看似不同的生物学领域。我们将重点鼓励青年科学家，特别是从事核酸研究的新青年科学家出席会议；从提交的摘要中选择简短的演讲，并在日程安排中专门分配时间。这一应用与健康的关系是，演讲和随后的讨论将有助于确定与基础科学和开发利用核酸治疗人类疾病的新策略相关的重要问题。例如，几种基于核酸GRC上提出和讨论的发现的核酸疗法，特别是RNAi疗法，目前正在黄斑变性和丙型肝炎的临床试验中。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This proposal requests partial support for a meeting on Nucleic Acids as part of the Gordon Research Conference series to be held June 5-10, 2011 at the University of New England, Biddeford, Maine. The Gordon Research Conference on Nucleic Acids was established more than 50 years ago and since that time, fundamental discoveries in nucleic acids biology have impacted our understanding in areas ranging from nucleic acid chemistry to the role that nucleic acids play in mediating responses in nearly every facet of biology. The broad and long-term goal of this conference is to create a critical forum for discussion of new ideas by promoting interactions by bringing together the world's leading researchers in this rapidly expanding field to foster cross-disciplinary discussions and collaborations, so as to enhance our understanding of the role nucleic acids play in biology, human health and disease. The specific aims of this meeting will be to convene 35 leading experts that cover critical and diverse areas within this field, with a total of 150 participants, for a five-day conference in a relatively isolated setting which will promote interactions among the participants. The 2011 meeting of the Nucleic Acids GRC will highlight recent advances among eight broadly classified areas of nucleic acids research that encompass DNA and RNA biology, biochemistry and biophysics with a view toward highlighting emerging concepts and technologies in these fields. Specific topics include: Genome Integrity; DNA Replication; Transcription and Chromatin Dynamics; Co- and Post-transcriptional Regulation; Non-coding RNA; RNA Stability and Export; Ribosome Biogenesis, Function and Regulation; Nucleic Acid Structure and Catalysis. The significance of this application is that this Gordon Research Conference will provide a forum for bringing together and synergizing members of the international research community specializing in diverse areas of nucleic acids research. In particular, discoveries over the past decade have resulted in renewed excitement regarding the role of non-coding nucleic acids in cells and their impact on regulating nucleic acid biosynthesis and processing. The involvement of RNAi in chromatin silencing and remodeling is another prime example of the utility of this meeting because it brings together seemingly disparate areas of biology. We will place an emphasis on encouraging young scientists, especially those newly engaged in nucleic acids research, to attend and present at this meeting; with time specifically allotted in the schedule for short talks that will be selected from submitted abstracts. The health relatedness of this application is that the presentations and ensuing discussions will help define important questions related to basic science and the development of novel strategies for utilization of nucleic acids in the treatment of human disease. For example, several nucleic acid therapeutics based on discoveries which have been presented and discussed at the Nucleic Acids GRC, specifically RNAi therapeutics, are currently in clinical trials for macular degeneration and hepatitis C. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: The stated goal of NIGMS is to support research that "is the foundation for disease diagnosis, treatment and prevention". Over the past 50 years that the Gordon Conference on Nucleic Acids has been meeting, the field of nucleic acids has exploded with tremendous discoveries regarding the biologic significance and therapeutic potential of nucleic acids. For example, several nucleic acid therapeutics based on discoveries which have been presented and discussed at the Nucleic Acids GRC, specifically RNAi therapeutics, are currently in clinical trials for macular degeneration and hepatitis C. Our goal for the 2011 Nucleic Acids GRC is to continue to select speakers and topics that will provide a critical forum for discussion of new ideas, and interaction between investigators specializing in all the diverse areas of nucleic acids research, with an eye toward recognizing new ideas for the treatment of human disease.