The pigmentary system: securing a place in the sun

描述（由申请人提供）：泛美色素细胞研究协会正准备于2009年9月4日至7日在田纳西州孟菲斯举行第15届年度会议——“色素系统：在阳光下获得一席之地”。在上届PASPCR 2007年年会上，我们提议吸引对色素紊乱感兴趣的基础科学家和临床医生，以便集中精力将现有知识应用于治疗服务不足的患者群体。在皮肤生物学的广阔领域中，色素沉着是一个不断发展的研究领域。因此，本次会议的主题涉及公共卫生利益的独特方面和各种主题，从发育生物学、色素沉着的生物化学、黑素体和免疫识别、干细胞和恶性转化，到环境对色素沉着的影响，包括太阳辐射的影响、健康差异和色素紊乱、皮肤颜色的遗传和社会生物学。其中讨论的重要议题是与太阳辐射的紫外线波长有关的生物危害，从而导致皮肤致癌。在这种情况下，色素系统作为太阳辐射的保护器，以及有效的系统抵消活性氧的作用。另一方面，紫外线辐射（UVB）对皮肤产生维生素D3至关重要，维生素D3是体内钙稳态的主要调节剂和具有多效性的激素。也有其他系统可以减轻氧化应激，比如黑素能系统。此外，色素系统在皮肤神经内分泌系统内运作，并与免疫系统相互作用。这些研究课题共享感兴趣的领域，使基础研究人员和对色素沉着有主要或衍生兴趣的临床医生能够交流新的和未发表的研究数据和治疗结果。这种机会有助于产生新颖的想法和富有成效的合作。我们在孟菲斯举办2009年会议的地点将为所有美国的研究人员和临床医生提供方便和相对负担得起的会议。卫理公会医疗保健指定这一教育活动最多26 AMA PRA类1学分。本次会议目前申请资金的目的是支持主题演讲者和杰出的年轻研究者，通过在参与者中出版和分发最终计划和摘要来增强会议的教育和科学方面，通过一个包含教育材料的开放获取网站教育公众，在《色素细胞与黑色素瘤研究》杂志上发表论文摘要和程序，促进和加强色素研究小组和其他研究小组之间的合作，从而扩大和进一步整合基础和临床研究。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The PanAmerican Society for Pigment Cell Research is preparing to hold its 15th Annual Meeting - "The Pigmentary System: Securing a Place Under the Sun" in Memphis, TN on September 4-7, 2009. At the last PASPCR 2007 annual meeting, we proposed to attract both basic scientists and clinicians interested in pigmentary disorders in order to concentrate efforts in applying the existing knowledge towards the treatment of underserved patient populations. Within the vast field of cutaneous biology, pigmentation is a growing area of research. The theme of this meeting therefore touches on unique facets and diverse topics of public health interest, ranging from developmental biology, biochemistry of pigmentation, melanosomes and immune recognition, stem cells and malignant transformation, to the environmental effects on pigmentation including the effect of solar radiation, health disparities and pigmentary disorders, inheritance of skin coloration and sociobiology. Among important topics discussed is the biohazard connected with the ultraviolet wavelengths of the solar radiation with resulting cutaneous carcinogenesis. In this context pigmentary system serves as well documented protector against solar radiation as well as an efficient system counteracting the action of reactive oxygem species. On the other hand ultraviolet radiation (UVB) is crucial for cutaneous production of vitamin D3, a major regulator of body calcium homeostasis and hormone with pleiotropic effects. There are also other systems attenuating oxidative stress such as melanoninergic system. Furthermore, pigmentary system is operating within the skin neuroendocrine system and interacts with the immune system. These research topics share areas of interest that allow basic researchers and clinicians with a primary or derivative interest in pigmentation to communicate novel and unpublished research data and treatment outcomes. The opportunity contributes to the emerging of novel ideas and fruitful collaborations. Our Memphis location for the '09 meeting will allow easy and relatively affordable access to the meeting for all US based researchers and clinicians. Methodist Healthcare designates this educational activity for a maximum of 26 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits. The objectives of the current application for funding of this meeting are to support keynote speakers and outstanding young investigators, to enhance the educational and scientific aspect of the meeting by publishing and distributing the final program and abstracts among the participants, to educate the general public with an open access website with educational material, publication of proceeding in the PASPCR Newsletter and publication of the abstracts and programs in the Journal Pigment Cell and Melanoma Research, and to facilitate and strengthen more collaboration between pigment interest groups and other research groups that can broaden and further integrate the basic and clinical research. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: NARRATIVE The 2009 meeting of the PanAmerican Society for Pigment Cell Research and suggestively entitled "The Pigmentary System: Securing a Place Under the Sun" will be held in Memphis, TN to update investigators on the most novel basic and clinical findings in the pigmentary system. It will provide a forum for basic researchers and clinicians to meet and share data on the complex field of skin and eye pigmentation with its wider implications in human health, environmental effects of solar radiation and racial diversity. We expect to achieve a better understanding of the process at molecular, cellular and entire organism levels that might lead to more effective treatments for pigmentary disorders ranging from rare genetic abnormalities to autoimmune disorders and skin malignancies. Recent advances in pigment cell biology interfacing with other areas such as dermatology, basic biology, neurobiology, endocrinology, immunology, photobiology, ophthalmology, pathology, biochemistry, chemistry, physics and cancer research will be presented. Importantly, realizing that pigmentation is also the basis for racial discrimination with an impact for the individual well being and for the society as a whole, the PASPCR opens the necessary space for discussion on health and social issues. It is expected that new avenues in pigment cells research will be discussed and future directions proposed to place this field on the forefront of basic and life sciences. Methodist Healthcare accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians decided to co-sponsor this meeting and designated this educational activity for a maximum of 26 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits.