2009 Epigenetics Gordon Research Conference

描述（申请人提供）：表观遗传学可以定义为研究基因组与环境相互作用导致基因表达变化而不改变DNA序列的学科。因此，表观遗传学的研究导致了对基因组功能和异常环境刺激后果的理解。近年来，表观遗传学揭示了一些最特别的基因调控形式，并迅速成为遗传学、基因组学和发育生物学中最令人兴奋的研究领域之一。即使基因组计划提供了无数生物体的完整核苷酸序列，研究人员正在转向表观遗传学领域，以了解该序列在细胞或生物体的背景下是如何解释的。表观遗传过程包含了令人印象深刻的多种机制，包括非编码RNA （ncRNA）、DNA甲基化、朊病毒、组蛋白修饰、染色质重塑、高阶染色体结构和核室。这些生物过程的丰富性和多功能性已经通过对各种生物的广泛研究得到阐明。我们的会议以其包容性、对思想交流的尊重以及从包括原核生物、真菌、纤毛虫、植物、蠕虫、昆虫和哺乳动物在内的各种模式系统中学习的价值而自豪。在此，我们提交申请，寻求支持戈登研究会议（GRC）第八次会议的表观遗传学。自1995年成立以来，该GRC在推进表观遗传学领域发挥了关键作用，在创造新的研究途径方面赢得了国际声誉，并为汇集不同科学家群体提供了独特的环境。我们的目标是(1)通过促进在广泛的表观遗传系统中工作的专家之间的信息和思想交流，促进我们对表观遗传机制的理解；(2)引入突破表观遗传学边界的新议题和新问题，同时提供一个可以听取和公开讨论不同观点的场所；(3)促进年轻研究人员的职业发展，包括学生、博士后和新的主要研究人员，包括代表性不足的少数民族。除了展示经典的表观遗传现象，如印记、x失活、RNAi、参数化和横切，2009年的会议将特别强调基因组与环境的相互作用，因为它们与人类健康和疾病有关。一些会议将致力于了解环境调节剂的作用，如饮食、毒素、父母照顾和内分泌干扰物在促进正常发育、行为、癌症、糖尿病和衰老方面的作用。为了提高对分子机制的认识，会议将邀请国际领导人研究高阶染色质结构，非编码RNA，重复元件，核组织和形态发生进化的作用。例子将从原核生物、真菌、植物和动物王国的模式生物中提取。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Epigenetics can be defined as the study of interactions between genome and environment that leads to changes in gene expression without changing the DNA sequence. The study of epigenetics therefore leads to an understanding of genome function and consequences of aberrant environmental stimuli. In recent years, epigenetics has revealed some of the most extraordinary forms of gene regulation and quickly become one of the most exciting research areas in genetics, genomics, and developmental biology. Even as genome projects are providing the complete nucleotide sequence of a myriad of organisms, researchers are turning to the field of epigenetics to understand how that sequence is interpreted in the context of the cell or the organism. epigenetic processes encompass an impressive diversity of mechanisms including noncoding RNA (ncRNA), DNA methylation, prions, histone modifications, chromatin remodeling, higher order chromosome structures, and nuclear compartments. The richness and versatility of these biological processes have been elucidated through the study of a wide range of diverse organisms. Our conference prides itself on inclusiveness, respect for the exchange of ideas, and value of learning from the full range of model systems, including prokaryotes, fungi, ciliates, plants, worms, insects, and mammals. Here, we submit our application seeking support for the 8th meeting of the Gordon Research Conference (GRC) on Epigenetics. Since its inception in 1995, this GRC has played a key role in moving forward the field of epigenetics, earning an international reputation for generating new research avenues and providing a unique setting for bringing together a diverse group of scientists. We aim to (1) Advance our understanding of epigenetic mechanisms by facilitating the exchange of information and ideas from experts working in a wide array of epigenetic systems; (2) Introduce new issues and new questions that push the boundaries of epigenetics, while at the same time, provide a venue in which alternative viewpoints can be heard and discussed openly; and (3) Promote the careers of young investigators, including students, postdoctoral fellows, and new principal investigators including underrepresented minorities. In additon to featuring the classic epigenetic phenomena such as imprinting, X-inactivation, RNAi, paramutation, and transvection, the 2009 conference will place special emphasis on genome-environment interactions as they relate to human health and disease. Several sessions will be devoted to understanding the role of environmental modulators such as diet, toxins, parental care, and endocrine disruptors in promoting normal development, behavior, cancer, diabetes, and aging. Towards improving knowledge of molecular mechanisms, the conference will feature international leaders studying the roles of higher order chromatin structure, noncoding RNA, repeat elements, nuclear organization, and morphogenic evolution. Examples will be drawn from model organisms in the prokaryotic, fungal, plant, and animal kingdoms. Public Health Relevance: Epigenetics can be defined as the study of interactions between genome and environment that leads to changes in gene expression without changing the DNA sequence. The study of epigenetics therefore leads to an understanding of genome function and consequences of aberrant environmental stimuli. In the 2009 Epigenetics GRC, special emphasis will be placed on two aspects of epigenetics - first, the role of novel molecular mechanisms that underlie epigenetic processes, and second, the role of environmental modulators such as diet, toxins, parental care, and endocrine disruptors in promoting normal development, behavior, cancer, diabetes, and aging.