2009 Cell Biology of Megakaryocytes and Platelets Gordon Research Conference

描述（由申请人提供）： 血小板在防止组织损伤部位失血过多方面起着关键作用。它们由骨髓中的巨核细胞形成，并以静止状态在血流中循环，但在血管系统受损时经历“爆炸性”激活，支持血管栓的形成。与血小板数量（血小板减少症）或功能减少相关的疾病可能导致过度出血。血小板在血栓性疾病（包括中风和心肌梗死）中发挥重要作用，并促进癌症的转移性扩散。因此，血小板是药物干预的主要目标，既可以增强生产又可以阻断功能。尽管有这种临床意义，但我们对血小板形成和活化的分子事件的理解存在重大差距。由于骨髓中巨核细胞的缺乏，以及在体外培养这些细胞并产生大量血小板的挑战，这一领域的研究受到阻碍。转基因小鼠的出现、血小板生成素的发现以及基因组学、蛋白质组学和RNAi等强大技术的引入引发了分子进步方面的革命。然而，直到目前的戈登研究会议召开4年前，没有集中的会议，汇集了科学家对巨核细胞和血小板细胞生物学的工作。这第三次会议上的“巨核细胞和血小板的细胞生物学”将汇集学术和药学研究人员，博士后研究员和研究生5天的激烈讨论的重大科学发现和挑战，在该领域的GRC网站在加尔维斯顿岛，得克萨斯州2009年3月15日至20日。本申请是部分资金的请求，以支持演讲者和讨论领导人的出席，并选择博士后研究员和学生在这个重要的科学会议。 会议将在以下地点举行： 加尔维斯酒店 海塘大道2024号 地址：加尔维斯顿Island，TX 77550

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Blood platelets play a critical role in the prevention of excessive blood loss at sites of tissue injury. They are formed from megakaryocytes in the bone marrow and circulate in the bloodstream in a quiescent state, but undergo 'explosive' activation upon damage to the vasculature, supporting formation of a vascular plug. Conditions associated with a reduction in platelet number (thrombocytopenia) or function can lead to excessive bleeding. Platelets play a fundamental role in thrombotic disorders, including stroke and myocardial infarction, and contribute to the metastatic spread of cancer. As such, platelets are a major target for pharmaceutical intervention, both to enhance production and block function. Despite this clinical significance, there are major gaps in our understanding of the molecular events which underlie platelet formation and activation. Research in this area had been hampered by the paucity of megakaryocytes in marrow, and the challenges of growing these cells in vitro with the generation of large numbers of platelets. The availability of genetically-modified mice, the discovery of thrombopoietin and the introduction of powerful technologies such as genomics, proteomics and RNAi has triggered a revolution in terms of molecular progress. However, until the current Gordon Research Conference was convened 4 years ago, there was no focused meeting that brought together scientists working on megakaryocyte and platelet cell biology. This third conference on 'The Cell Biology of Megakaryocytes and Platelets' will bring together academic and pharmaceutical investigators, post-doctoral fellows and graduate students for 5 days of intense discussion of the major scientific discoveries and challenges in the field at the GRC site in Galveston Island, TX March 15-20th, 2009. This application is a request for partial funds to support the attendance of speakers and discussion leaders, and selected postdoctoral fellows and students at this important scientific meeting. This meeting will be held at: Hotel Galvez 2024 Seawall Boulevard Galveston Island, TX 77550