FASEB SRC on Molecular Mechanisms of Immune Cell Development and Function

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DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The specific aim of this proposal is to obtain partial support for a Summer Research Conference (SRC) sponsored by the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) on the subject of "Molecular Mechanisms of Immune Cell Development and Function". This conference, originally titled "Lymphocytes and the Immune System: Molecular, Cellular, and Interactive Mechanisms", has been chosen for sponsorship by FASEB after a competitive re-evaluation every other year since its inception in summer 2003. The distinctive features of this conference are the following. (1) The meeting places strong emphasis on molecular biology of gene regulation in lymphocyte development, including new insights emerging from genome-wide approaches. (2) Molecular mechanisms guiding immune receptor gene mutagenesis are an emphasis, explaining the basis of recognition specificity and also establishing precedents for long-range genomic control mechanism. (3) The program deliberately juxtaposes research on different classes of immune cells, so that mechanisms underlying developmental choices and larger patterns of shared use of particular molecular mechanisms can both be seen. (4) Many presenters have an explicit focus on gene network and signaling network connections rather than "one gene at a time" studies, to provide the most comprehensive available explanations of biological regulation. (5) The schedule integrates presentations from scientists at many levels, from internationally renowned experts to junior postdoctoral and graduate student speakers, in an intensive, all-plenary program. As a result, young trainees have uncommonly easy access to experienced senior figures, who can gain an appreciation for the young people's individual ideas. This meeting has received enthusiastic feedback from conference attendees of the previous meetings and a strong mandate for long-term continuation. The present application would provide needed support for the conference in the summer of 2013, which is the 6th conference in this highly successful series. At this time when funding is tight, many potential attendees, especially junior faculty, simply cannot afford to come unless they can receive some kind of travel or registration support, no matter how exciting their results may be. The funds requested would supplement limited funds provided by FASEB, as well as whatever contributions we can solicit from private industry. This support is crucial to make it possible to cover the costs of registration for invited speakers and to offer travel awards for a select group of junior scientist presenters.