2009 Epigenetics Gordon Research Conference

描述(申请人提供)：表观遗传学可以被定义为研究基因组和环境之间的相互作用，导致基因表达的变化，而不改变DNA序列。因此，表观遗传学的研究有助于理解基因组的功能和异常环境刺激的后果。近年来，表观遗传学揭示了一些最不寻常的基因调控形式，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。尽管基因组计划正在提供无数生物体的完整核苷酸序列，但研究人员正在转向表观遗传学领域，以了解该序列是如何在细胞或有机体的背景下解释的。表观遗传过程包括多种机制，包括非编码RNA(NcRNA)、DNA甲基化、普鲁恩、组蛋白修饰、染色质重塑、高阶染色体结构和核间室。这些生物过程的丰富性和多功能性已经通过对各种不同生物体的研究而得到阐明。我们的会议以包容性、尊重思想交流和向包括原核生物、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学习的价值而自豪。在此，我们提交申请，寻求对表观遗传学戈登研究会议(GRC)第8次会议的支持。自1995年成立以来，GRC在推进表观遗传学领域发挥了关键作用，赢得了产生新研究途径的国际声誉，并为汇聚不同的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学系统中工作的专家的信息和思想的交流来促进我们对表观遗传学机制的理解；(2)引入突破表观遗传学界限的新问题和新问题，同时提供一个可以听取和公开讨论不同观点的场所；以及(3)促进年轻研究人员的职业生涯，包括学生、博士后研究员和新的主要研究人员，包括未被充分代表的少数群体。除了介绍印记、X失活、RNAi、变态和转基因等经典表观遗传现象外，2009年会议还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。几次会议将致力于了解环境调节因素，如饮食、毒素、父母关怀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，会议将有国际领导人研究高级染色质结构、非编码RNA、重复元件、核组织和形态发生进化的作用。这些例子将来自原核生物、真菌、植物和动物王国中的模式生物。 公共卫生相关性：表观遗传学可以定义为研究基因组和环境之间的相互作用，在不改变DNA序列的情况下导致基因表达的变化。因此，表观遗传学的研究有助于理解基因组的功能和异常环境刺激的后果。在2009年的表观遗传学GRC中，将特别强调表观遗传学的两个方面--第一，表观遗传学过程中新的分子机制的作用；第二，环境调节因素，如饮食、毒素、父母照料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。

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.