International Gap Junction Conference 2013

描述（由申请人提供）：人体中几乎所有细胞都形成间隙连接。这些结构是由蛋白质（连接蛋白）组成的膜通道，连接并置细胞并提供细胞之间小分子的直接运动。超过20种人类疾病与连接蛋白的突变有关。细胞通讯最著名的作用是同步心脏内心肌细胞的跳动。心脏细胞通讯的中断与一系列心脏疾病中的心律失常和猝死密切相关。最近，一组结构相关的蛋白质称为pannexins已被发现是至关重要的健康和疾病的脉管系统。随着该领域的迅速发展，研究人员发现，经常性的有针对性的科学会议是交流思想和技术的特别有价值的论坛，为科学发现铺平了道路。本申请要求为将于7月13日至18日在南卡罗来纳州查尔斯顿举行的2013年国际间隙连接会议提供资金。本次会议代表了一个独特的双年度跨学科会议系列的第14次，重点是间隙连接和相关信号机制。NHLBI资助了R13，以支持2009年在美国召开的国际间隙连接会议。本次会议的总体目标是更好地了解连接蛋白，泛连接蛋白和正常和疾病状态下的间隙连接，其总体目标是确定靶向这些蛋白质的新型药理学方法。心血管系统将是会议的特别重点。会议组织者Gourdie、Koval、Isakson和Mauldin博士在会议组织方面有着良好的记录。Drs Gourdie、Koval和Isakson是连接蛋白、内连接蛋白和/或泛连接蛋白生物学领域的资深研究者。会议将特别强调这一领域的创新发展，并采用一些新的办法来促进国际法学家委员会会议。所要求的资金大部分用于支持学生和受训人员的参与。此外，会议还将提供一个持续的论坛， 促进富有成效的合作，吸引来自不同背景的学生和博士后实习生到差距结领域。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Virtually all cells in the human body form gap junctions. These structures are membrane channels composed of proteins (connexins) that connect apposing cells and provide for the direct movement of small molecules between cells. Over 20 human diseases are linked to mutations in connexins. The most well-known role of cell communication is in synchronizing the beating of myocardial cells within the heart. Disruption of cell communication in the heart is strongly linked to arrhythmia and sudden death in a range of cardiac diseases. More recently, a structurally related group of proteins called pannexins have been found to be critical to the vasculature in health and disease. With the rapid developments in the field, investigators have found recurring targeted scientific meetings to be especially valuable forums for the exchange of ideas and techniques that pave the way for scientific discovery. This application requests funds for the 2013 International Gap Junction Conference, to be held in Charleston, South Carolina July 13- 18. This conference represents the 14th in a unique series of biennial interdisciplinary meetings focused on gap junctions and allied signaling mechanisms. The NHLBI funded an R13 in support of the International Gap Junction Conference the last time it was convened in the USA in 2009. The overall goals of this meeting are to achieve a better understanding of connexins, pannexins, and gap junctions in both normal and diseased states, with the overarching goal of identifying novel pharmacological approaches to target these proteins. The cardiovascular system will be a particular emphasis of the meeting. The meeting organizers Drs. Gourdie, Koval, Isakson and Mauldin have a strong track record in conference organization. Drs Gourdie, Koval and Isakson are established investigators in the area of connexin, innexin and/or pannexin biology. The meeting will place particular emphasis on innovative developments in the field and uses a number of novel approaches in promoting the IGJC meeting. A majority of the requested funds are in support of student and trainee participation. Additionally the meeting will provide a continuing forum for the fostering of productive collaborations and attracting students and postdoctoral trainees from diverse backgrounds to the gap junction field.