CONFERENCE: 2002 Gordon Research Conference on Magnesium in Biochemical Processes & Medicine, February 3 - 8, 2002 in Ventura, California

尽管镁（Mg2+）在生化和生理过程中的作用比以往任何时候都得到了更广泛的认识，但我们对正常Mg2+生理的理解仍然存在巨大差距。与我们对钙的多种作用的理解相比，我们对Mg2+的分子、生化和生理作用的理解严重不足。例如，细胞内的Mg2+浓度受到严格调控，但Mg2+进入细胞的机制却完全未知。到目前为止，还没有发现Mg2+通道，第一个膜Mg2+转运体（通道、载体或泵）尚未被分离出来。至于细胞外的Mg2+，血液（血浆）中的Mg2+浓度受到严格调节（像钙一样），但迄今为止尚未发现Mg2+激素。因此，重要的是要鼓励新的、年轻的镁生物学研究者在智力上和经济上得到支持。该奖项提供资金支持12名年轻的分子生物学家在2002年2月3日至2月8日在加州文图拉举行的第八届戈登生物过程和医学镁会议上展示他们工作的海报。鉴于分子生物学对我们理解镁在生命基本过程（光合作用、DNA和蛋白质的稳定、300多种细胞酶的激活）中的作用所带来的希望，NSF基金将专门用于研究镁基础科学的年轻研究者。这笔资金将用于补贴他们的旅费和（或）会议费用，每人600美元。这些新的镁研究骨干将根据三个标准进行选择：1)他们必须在过去3年内发表过关于镁的化学、生理或分子生物学的重要论文；2)他们必须是镁戈登研究会议的新成员；3)他们可能长期致力于镁的生理、生物化学和分子生物学的基础研究。招募和培养年轻的研究人员特别适合关注科学前沿的戈登会议。

Although the role of magnesium (Mg2+) in biochemical and physiological processes is more widely appreciated now than it ever was, huge gaps remain in our understanding of normal Mg2+ physiology. Compared to our understanding of the multifarious roles of calcium, our understanding of the molecular, biochemical and physiological roles of Mg2+ are woefully inadequate. For example, Mg2+ concentrations are tightly regulated inside cells, but the mechanism of Mg2+ entry into cells is entirely unknown. No Mg2+-channel has been identified to this date, and the first membrane Mg2+ transporter (channel, carrier, or pump) has yet to be isolated. As to Mg2+ outside cells, Mg2+ concentrations in the blood (plasma) are tightly regulated (like calcium), but a Mg2+ hormone has not been discovered to date. Hence it is important that new, young investigators of magnesium biology are encouraged intellectually and supported financially. This award provides funds to support the travel of 12 young molecular biologists to present posters of their work at the 8th Gordon Conference on Magnesium in Biological Processes and Medicine to be held in Ventura CA from Feb. 3 to Feb. 8, 2002. In view of the promise that molecular biology holds for our understanding of magnesium in basic processes of life (photosynthesis, the stabilization of DNA and proteins, the activation of over 300 cell enzymes), the NSF funds will be earmarked for young investigators who study the basic science of magnesium. The funds will be used to subsidize their travel and/or conference fees at the level of $ 600 each. This new cadre of magnesium investigators will be selected according to three criteria: 1) they must have published a significant paper on the chemistry, physiology, or molecular biology of magnesium in the past 3 years, 2) they must be new to the Magnesium Gordon Research Conference, and 3) they are likely to make a long-term commitment to basic research on the physiology, biochemistry and molecular biology of magnesium. The recruitment and the nurturing of young investigators are particularly appropriate for the Gordon Conferences that focus on the Frontiers of Science.