2010 Biology and Pathobiology of The Cornea

描述（由申请人提供）：视力在生活质量中起着巨大的作用，眼表对正常视力的适当折射和光线通过起着重要作用。角膜是“眼睛的窗户”，因此作为最外层的屏障，它是透明的，无血管的，提供了眼睛75%的屈光度。与身体的其他屏障组织不同，角膜和支持附件（眼睑、结膜、睑板腺、泪腺）已经进化出独特的机制来保持透明度和折射。这些功能需要通过泪液、适当的组织水化、生物力学强度、屏障特性、免疫调节和受限的血管生成来满足。疾病、受伤、手术、隐形眼镜佩戴和感染都可能对维持角膜功能所需的微妙平衡产生不利影响，导致角膜雾化、浑浊和失明。近年来，角膜和前眼的研究有了巨大的发展，某些领域已经变得非常复杂。这次戈登研究会议的目的是为研究人员，临床医生，临床研究员，研究生和博士后研究员提供一个环境，以满足和推动角膜研究的前沿。这次戈登研究会议是该领域的第一次会议，将提供一个独特的机会，汇集小组在更广泛的眼部组织背景下探索角膜功能，使用细胞和分子生物学，成像，生物力学，转基因动物模型，基因传递，microRNA，蛋白质组学，基因组学和再生干细胞生物学。这是把不同的团队聚集在一起比较笔记、合作和获得新见解的好时机。这个两年一次的会议也将为学生和受训者提供一个非常需要的连续性，以逐渐发展他们的技能和获得信心，因为他们努力成为独立的调查者。会议将涵盖角膜和眼表研究的最新进展，遗传基因组学和蛋白质组学方法，microRNA基因调控，屏障功能和分泌，感染，免疫反应，外科，仿生学，干细胞生物学及其应用。这项提议的目的是为会议争取部分资金，以支付与会者的注册费和/或旅费。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Vision plays a huge role in the quality of life, and the ocular surface is instrumental in the appropriate refraction and passage of light for normal vision. The cornea is the "window to the eye" and thus as the outermost barrier is uniquely transparent, avascular, and provides 75% of the refractive power of the eye. Unlike other barrier tissues of the body, the cornea and supporting adnexa (eyelids, conjunctiva, meibomian glands, lacrimal glands) have evolved distinctive mechanisms to maintain transparency and refraction. These functional demands are met by the tears, appropriate tissue hydration, biomechanical strength, barrier properties, immune modulation and restricted angiogenesis. Disease, injury, surgery, contact lens wear and infections may all adversely affect the delicate balance required to maintain corneal functions, leading to haze, opacification and blindness. Corneal and anterior eye research has grown tremendously in recent years, and certain areas have become remarkably sophisticated. The intent of this Gordon Research Conference is to provide a setting for researchers, clinicians, clinical fellows, graduate students and postdoctoral fellows to meet and push forward the frontiers of cornea research. This Gordon Research Conference, the first in this area, will provide a unique opportunity to bring together groups exploring corneal function in the context of broader ocular tissues, using cell and molecular biology, imaging, biomechanics, transgenic animal models, gene delivery, microRNA, proteomics, genomics and regenerative stem cell biology. This is a good time to bring these different groups together to compare notes, to collaborate and gain new insights. This biennial conference will also provide a much needed continuity for students and trainees to gradually develop their skill and gain confidence as they strive to become independent investigators. The sessions will be organized to cover recent advances in cornea and ocular surface research, genetic genomic and proteomic approaches, gene regulation by microRNA, barrier functions and secretion, infections, immune response, surgery, biomimetics, stem cell biology and its applications. The aim of this proposal is to secure partial funding for the conference to cover registration fees and/or travel costs for participants. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: This biennial Gordon Research Conference on the Biology and pathobiology of the cornea will make a huge impact on the field by providing a well-known conference setting for investigators with diverse expertise and at different career stages to meet and push the frontiers of cornea research.