Retinal Degeneration Conference

即将召开的第十四届视网膜变性国际研讨会的主要目标是促进基础和临床科学家之间的信息和思想交流，以促进我们对遗传性和年龄相关性视网膜变性的基本机制和治疗干预措施的理解取得新进展。已作出特别努力，使新的研究人员进入该领域，并包括具有临床和基础科学背景的现有研究人员。我们已经达到了这一领域科学努力的历史上的一个点，基础和临床科学家在理解视网膜疾病的基本机制方面有着共同的兴趣。该会议自1984年以来每两年举行一次，负责促进许多提供重要新信息的合作研究项目。与之前的会议一样，2010年的会议将以丰富的研究人员为特色，从细胞和发育生物学家到来自世界各地主要研究/临床中心的临床科学家。2010年会议将于7月13日至17日在加拿大魁北克省蒙特朗布兰特举行，作为第19届国际眼科研究学会双年会议的附属会议，该会议将于7月18日至23日在加拿大魁北克省蒙特利尔举行。会议将有3个主题演讲，6个平台会议，每天还有专门的海报展示时间。会前3-4个月由组委会和美国国家眼科研究所代表最终确定方案。主题将包括新的基因和基因座、基因治疗、纳米粒子、分子遗传学、黄斑变性、新型动物模型、药物治疗和细胞死亡机制。然而，我们也可以灵活地包括“最新”的发现。迄今为止举行的13次会议的一个非常有利的方面是，这些亲密的场所促进了已有成就的科学家和具有不同背景的新来者之间的正式和非正式讨论。这种轻松的氛围使来自世界各地的临床医生和研究人员能够相互见面并了解彼此的工作。在最近的会议上，我们通过提供旅行补助金鼓励年轻的研究人员参加。2002年（Birkenstock，瑞士），向23名新进入该领域的年轻研究人员提供了全额旅行奖，主要由NEI会议拨款支持。2004年（澳大利亚珀斯），NEI资助了20人的旅行。2006年（阿根廷巴里洛切），NEI资助了17名年轻的研究人员。2008年（中国四川峨眉山），NEI资助了23个奖项。许多得到NEI会议资助的年轻科学家现在是NIH和/或其他主要资助支持的独立研究者。在这项提案中，我们要求资金提供1)全额旅费奖励给20名年轻研究者和3名主题演讲者，2)一些行政费用。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Project Summary/Abstract The primary goal of the forthcoming XIV International Symposium on Retinal Degenerations is to promote the exchange of current information and ideas among basic and clinical scientists in the interest of fostering new advances in our understanding of basic mechanisms and development of therapeutic interventions for inherited and age-related retinal degenerations. Special effort has been made to bring new investigators into the field and to include established investigators with clinical and basic science backgrounds. We have reached a point in the history of scientific endeavor in this field where there is a common interest among basic and clinical scientists in understanding the fundamental mechanisms underlying retinal diseases. This meeting, which has been held biennially since 1984, has been responsible for fostering many of the collaborative research projects that have provided vital new information. As with previous meetings, the 2010 conference will feature a rich mixture of investigators, ranging from cell and developmental biologists to clinician-scientists from major research/clinical centers throughout the world. The 2010 meeting will be held in Mont Tremblant, Quebec, and Canada on July 13 - 17 as a satellite of the XIX Biennial Meeting of the International Society for Eye Research, which will be held in Montreal, Quebec, Canada of July 18 - 23. The meeting will have 3 keynote presentations, 6 platform sessions, and dedicated time each day for poster presentations. The program will be finalized by the Organizing Committee and representatives of the National Eye Institute 3-4 months before the meeting. Topics to be covered will include new genes and loci, gene therapy, nanoparticle, molecular genetics, macular degeneration, novel animal models, medical therapies, and mechanisms of cell death. However, we have the flexibility to include "late-breaking" discoveries as well. A highly favorable aspect of the 13 meetings held to date is the intimate venues that have fostered formal and informal discussions among established scientists and newcomers with diverse backgrounds. This relaxed atmosphere has allowed clinicians and researchers from all parts of the world to meet each other and learn of each other's work. At recent meetings, we have encouraged young investigators to attend by providing travel grants. In 2002 (Birkenstock, Switzerland), full travel awards were provided to 23 young investigators new to the field, supported primarily by an NEI conference grant. In 2004 (Perth, Australia), the NEI grant supported travel for 20. In 2006 (Bariloche, Argentina), the NEI grant supported 17 young investigators. In 2008 (Emeishan, Sichuan, China), the NEI grant funded 23 awards. Many of the young scientists supported by this NEI Conference Grant now are independent investigators with NIH and/or other major grant support. In this proposal, we request funds to provide 1) full travel awards to 20 young investigators and 3 keynote speakers and 2) some administrative expenses. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: Project Narrative This meeting brings together the leading researchers, clinician-scientists, and ophthalmologists from around the world to discuss their research in a relaxed and collegial atmosphere. The travel awardees will have an opportunity afforded by no other scientific meeting of its type to meet and interact with these outstanding scientists. There is ample evidence that this conference has had profound effects on the scientific careers of many of the young scientists who attended.