FASEB's The Microbial Pathogenesis Conference: Mechanisms of Infectious Disease

项目总结

Project Summary The 2021 FASEB Scientific Research Conference on “Molecular Pathogenesis: Mechanisms of Infectious Disease” is the 14th bi-annual meeting that uniquely brings together outstanding international scientists from multiple infectious disease disciplines to share their latest discoveries on a variety of pathogens. As seen with the latest pandemic of COVID-19, infectious diseases remain a scourge of humankind as a leading cause of death throughout the world. Whether in the developing or developed world, emerging and re-emerging diseases combine with the alarming rise in antimicrobial-resistant infections, resulting in an increased need for research on microbial pathogens and host immunity. Pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, eukaryotic parasites and fungi, have evolved similar virulence strategies as they must overcome similar host responses. During this meeting we bring together a diverse population of scientists from all these pathogen-specific communities to discuss new basic research and medicine, discover potential synergistic collaborations and novel strategies to approach microbial pathogenesis. This FASEB Research Conference on Molecular Pathogenesis is a unique, small conference (100-150 people) that brings together scientists with primary interests in virology, bacteriology, mycology, parasitology, and immunology, and is thus an essential tool to help achieve the mission of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases in “leading research to understand, treat, and prevent infectious…diseases.” This year’s meeting is led by Chair Dr. Kim Orth, PhD Investigator/Professor, HHMI/UT Southwestern Medical Center and co- Chair Dr. Ken Campellone, PhD Associate Professor, University of Connecticut with 36 invited scientists from diverse populations. As with past meetings, the FASEB 2021 meeting is held at the conference center in Snowmass, Colorado, which allows for almost every participant to share their science either by presenting a poster (3 afternoon sessions) or a giving one of 54 talks while allowing for intensive discussion and networking. We are honored to start our meeting with a Bernard Fields Memorial Lecture given by Dr. Andrew Camilli, PhD Professor, Tufts University, a former FASEB chair and longtime participant of this meeting. This application requests support to enhance the conference through the attendance of additional underrepresented minority, female, and junior investigators.