Conference on Ciliate Molecular Biology to be held in Saxton's River, Vermont

该奖项将支持第十四届纤毛虫分子生物学国际会议，该会议将作为FASEB夏季研究会议于2009年7月19-24日在佛蒙特州萨克斯顿河举行。纤毛虫是一种多样的单细胞生物，在世界各地的许多环境中都有发现。多年来，它们一直是真核生物（非细菌）物种之间共享的细胞功能和遗传机制研究的模式生物。对纤毛虫的重要发现包括RNA酶、端粒（染色体末端）的结构，以及首次确定的组蛋白修饰在控制基因活性方面的功能。会议是主要的国际场所，为纤毛虫科学家展示他们在这些主题上的最新研究成果，以及基因组学、进化、细胞发育、运动和信号。将包括平台和海报会议，以及关于当前和新出现的特别感兴趣的主题的讲习班。预计将有120至150名研究人员参加，其中大多数来自美国国内，但也有一些来自世界各国。纤毛虫研究界以其高度合作的性质和对年轻研究人员职业发展的承诺而闻名。与以往的会议一样，将有一个研讨会专门讨论在本科课堂和独立研究环境中使用纤毛虫作为工具。这是第一次，这个研讨会将与一个专门用于本科生展示他们自己的研究成果的平台会议一起举行。为了促进不同职业水平的与会者就职业和研究发展进行富有成效的交流，会议将在选定的餐会上举行特别的“主题桌”，就不同的主题（由注册人提出）进行讨论。纤毛虫科学界强烈鼓励年轻科学家、女性和少数族裔参与会议计划。从NSF获得的资金将仅用于支持研究生和本科生，博士后研究员和初级研究人员的出席。

This award will support the Fourteenth International Meeting on Ciliate Molecular Biology, to be held as a FASEB Summer Research Conference in Saxtons River, Vermont, from July 19-24, 2009. The ciliates are a diverse group of unicellular organisms found in many environments throughout the world. For many years, they have served as model organisms for the study of those mechanisms of cellular function and inheritance that are shared among eukaryotic (non-bacterial) species. Key discoveries made with ciliates include RNA enzymes, the structure of telomeres (the ends of chromosomes), and the first identified function of histone modification in controlling gene activity. The conference is the major international venue for ciliate scientists to present their latest research findings on these topics, as well as on genomics, evolution, cell development, motility, and signaling. Platform and poster sessions, along with workshops on current and emerging topics of particular interest, will be included. Between 120 and 150 researchers are expected to attend, most coming from within the United States, but some traveling from countries around the world. The ciliate research community is known for its highly collaborative nature and for its commitment to the career development of young investigators. As at past conferences, there will be a workshop devoted to the use of ciliates as tools in undergraduate classrooms and independent research environments. For the first time, this workshop will be held in concert with a platform session devoted exclusively to undergraduates' presentation of their own research results. To promote the fruitful exchange of ideas on career and research development among attendees at various career levels, discussions will be held on various themes (suggested by registrants) at special "topic tables" at selected meals. The ciliate scientific community strongly encourages the participation of young scientists, women, and minorities in the conference program. The funding obtained from the NSF will be used solely to support attendance by graduate and undergraduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and beginning investigators.