2013 Fibronectin, Integrins & Related Molecules GRC/GRS

描述(由申请人提供)：我们请求部分支持纤维连接蛋白、整合素和相关分子戈登研究会议(GRC)和戈登研究研讨会(GRS)。会议将分别于2013年2月10日至15日和2月9日至10日在加利福尼亚州文图拉的文图拉万豪海滩举行。这次会议的广泛和长期目标首先是提高我们对以下方面的了解：1)细胞与周围细胞外基质之间的相互作用如何促进正常发育和体内稳定；2)如何利用这一知识更好地了解和治疗人类疾病，如癌症和心血管疾病；3)细胞基质黏附的基本分子机制，涉及从细胞外基质延伸到细胞外的复杂超分子结构，通过内质网等跨膜受体延伸到细胞骨架和细胞核；4)整合素分子如何特别适应并传递机械力。我们的第二个目标是为教育和培养下一代科学家做出贡献。GRC之前的GRS的增加和更新为研究生、博士后和其他具有类似经验和教育水平的科学家提供了一个难得的机会，让他们彼此以及另外4名资深科学家讨论他们目前的研究。从过去的经验来看，这项计划显然增强了与会者的信心，使他们更加积极和参与主要的GRC。这项申请的具体目标是举行GRS和GRC，以推动该领域的发展。为期两天的GRS将召集2名特邀演讲者，2名讨论负责人，最多50名研究生和博士后与会者，其中12人将被选为演讲对象。接下来的五天GRC将召集22名受邀演讲者，150名与会者，其中包括GRS参与者，其中22人将被选为演讲对象。这两个节目都将包含海报环节，以进一步最大限度地发挥科学讨论的作用。这些会议寻求通过解决目前许多生物领域共同面临的两个挑战来推动该领域的发展。第一个是将稳健的定量分析、生物物理和工程学方法、先进的显微镜和数学模型相结合，以增强我们对分子机制的理解。尤其重要的是，我们必须用这些方法来阐明整合素黏附机械的特殊机械传感特性。第二是使用方法来解决完整有机体内的功能，导致更好地理解这些分子如何促进发育、动态平衡和疾病，从而改进整合素和细胞外基质相关疾病的治疗。我们尤其试图了解细胞外基质的机械特性和与细胞骨架的联系如何对细胞行为产生如此深远的影响。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): We request partial support for the Fibronectin, Integrins and Related Molecules Gordon Research Conference (GRC) and Gordon Research Seminar (GRS). The meetings will be held February 10-15, and February 9-10, 2013 in the Ventura Beach Marriott, Ventura, California, respectively. The broad and long-term objectives of the conference are firstly to increase our understanding of: 1) how interactions between cells and the surrounding extracellular matrices contribute to normal development and homeostasis; 2) how to use this knowledge to obtain a greater understanding and treatment of human diseases, such as cancer and cardiovascular disease; 3) the fundamental molecular mechanisms of cell matrix adhesion, involving complex supramolecular structures extending from the extracellular matrix outside the cell, through transmembrane receptors such as intregrins, to the cytoskeleton and nucleus; 4) how the molecules of the integrin adhesome are especially adapted to respond to and transduce mechanical force. Our second objective is to contribute to the education and training the next generation of scientists. The addition and renewal of the GRS that precedes the GRC provides an exceptional opportunity for graduate students, post- docs, and other scientists with comparable levels of experience and education to discuss their current research with each other and 4 more senior scientists. From past experience it is evident that this scheme strengthens the confidence of the attendees so that they are more active and engaged in the main GRC. The specific aims of this application are to hold a GRS and a GRC that advance the field. The two day GRS will convene 2 invited speakers, 2 discussion leaders with up to 50 graduate student and postdoctoral attendees, 12 of whom will be selected to give talks. The five day GRC that follows will convene 22 invited speakers, with 150 attendees, including the GRS participants, 22 of which will be selected for talks. Both programs will contain poster sessions to further maximize scientific discussions. These meetings seek to advance the field by addressing two challenges shared by many biological fields at present. The first is to integrate robust quantitative analysis, biophysical ad engineering approaches, advanced microscopy and mathematical modeling to enhance our understanding of molecular mechanisms. In particular, it is vital that we bring these approaches to elucidate the special mechano-sensing properties of the integrin adhesion machinery. The second is to use methods to address function within the intact organism, leading the way to a better understanding of how these molecules contribute to development, homeostasis and disease, so that treatments of integrin and ECM related diseases can be improved. We especially seek to understand how mechanical properties of the extracellular matrix and the links to the cytoskeleton have such profound effects on cell behavior.