CMV 2012 - combined 4th Congenital Cytomegalovirus Conference and 14th Internatio

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Description (as provided by the applicant): Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is the major viral cause of birth defects, and its impact on health care costs is enormous. Approximately 1% of newborns are infected, and of the 13% that are symptomatic at birth, 50% will have permanent impairment. At least 14% of asymptomatic infants will later show disabilities. HCMV is also a serious problem in immunocompromised individuals and has been associated with the development of transplant-associated vascular disease and restenosis following angioplasty. Additionally, it has been proposed that HCMV may play a role in the development of atherosclerosis and the pathogenesis of several types of tumors. The overarching goal of this R13 conference grant is to enable junior investigators (graduate/medical students and postdoctoral fellows, junior faculty) to attend the CMV 2012 Workshop. Travel awards - using funds generated by this application - will be awarded to laboratories of U.S.-based trainees and junior faculty based on peer reviewed scoring of submitted abstracts. CMV 2012 is a unique meeting in that it combines the 4th Congenital CMV Conference and the 14th International CMV/Betaherpesvirus Workshop into a unified conference. The mission of CMV 2012 is to bring together basic scientists, physician scientists, clinicians, representatives from industry and government, and families affected by congenital CMV infection in a forum where there can be a broad exchange of diverse ideas and extensive cross-fertilization of new concepts that lead to a better understanding, prevention, and/or treatment of CMV disease. The increasing emphasis on translational research with the goal of advancing medicine and human health has made it imperative to bring these different groups together. The CMV 2012 Workshop will be held October 29th to November 2nd, 2012 at the Mission Bay Conference Center in San Francisco, California. The areas of focus of both the Congenital CMV Conferences and the International CMV/Betaherpesvirus Workshop will be well-represented at CMV 2012. There are four coequal aims of this meeting. Aim 1 is to facilitate the highest level of scientific excellence with a combination of speakers who are internationally recognized and established leaders in the field, as well as younger investigators whose work is at the cutting edge. Aim 2 emphasizes the research that is highly relevant to important clinical questions and has potential for translation into medical practice. Aim 3 is to foster new collaborations and partnerships between industry, basic and clinical scientists, and government agencies. Aim 4 promotes public education and awareness of the prevalence of congenital CMV infection and impact on society. Public Health Relevance: Human cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the leading cause of birth defects associated with an infectious agent. Moreover, it is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in immunosuppressed patients, including organ and hematopoietic transplant recipients, and AIDS patients. Significant effort in academia, the clinic and industry is being devoted to improve therapies and develop effective vaccines against these viruses. CMV 2012 will be the preeminent venue devoted solely to the broad range of topics encompassing the clinical, virological, molecular, immunological, and societal aspects of this important human pathogen.