Conference: 2012 Protein Transport Across Cell Membranes GRC and GRS-March 10-16, 2012 in Galveston, Texas

学术价值：第四届两年一度的蛋白质跨细胞膜传输戈登研究会议(GRC)将于3月11日至16日举行，在此之前，将于3月10日至11日举行本次会议的第一次戈登研究研讨会。这些会议将共同聚焦于蛋白质跨生物膜或进入生物膜的转运机制。蛋白质转运机制的阐明仍然是现代细胞生物学的一个基本目标，因为大约30%的蛋白质是通过细胞膜转运或整合到细胞膜中的。此外，蛋白质运输的缺陷会导致几种人类遗传病，具有感染性的微生物利用蛋白质运输系统向动植物输送毒力因子。蛋白质转位机制(转位酶)是高度复杂的纳米机器，由多个受体、发动机、检查点、通道和复杂的调节电路组成。因此，这一领域的进展需要一种综合的方法，结合不同的方法，包括生物化学、遗传学、X射线结晶学、低温EM和荧光单分子成像。这次会议是美国唯一一次致力于深入报道蛋白质运输领域的定期会议。它召集了这些不同方法论的专家来报告未发表的数据，评估假设，并产生新的理论和方法。2012年蛋白质跨细胞膜传输GRC的总体目标是促进对蛋白质传输领域知识和方法前沿的交流和热烈讨论。这在很大程度上将通过明智地挑选和招募发言者和讨论领袖，以及密集但非正式的全球资源中心会议形式来实现。2012年会议将以概述会议开始，向与会者介绍这一领域的一系列实验系统、方法和概念。其他会议将涉及主要运输系统的机械方面(某些真核生物为15至20个；原核生物可达10个)，以及新型运输系统。这次会议将推动对这些基本的和不同的蛋白质运输纳米机器的工作原理的了解。35位受邀的演讲者和讨论领导者已经接受了邀请，这表明了对这次会议的高度热情。广泛影响：这些相关会议的使命是提供一个论坛，既教育经验丰富的研究人员，又将新的研究人员介绍到该领域。GRC格式鼓励对未发布的数据和想法进行广泛而热烈的讨论，是实现这些目标的完美选择。相关的GRS是一个丰富的培训环境，将为博士后和学生提供参与此类讨论的信心。首先，GRS参与者将获得与蛋白质转位有关的概念、原理和机制的基本背景。其次，他们将收到对他们的研究的反馈，与他们的同行和高级调查人员建立网络，并在一个非恐吓的环境中磨练他们的陈述和讨论技能。其他吸收年轻调查人员的机制将包括选择参加GRC简短讲座，以及部分支持GRC注册。在2010年的会议上，女性与会者占了38%。2012年GRC和GRS将获得性别(和其他少数群体)平衡的演讲者计划，优先选择演讲者和讨论领导者，其中将包括注册支持。与与会者的国际分布一起，GRC和GRS将提供丰富的教育经验，指导不同的新一代科学家进入这一领域和相关领域。

Intellectual Merit:The fourth biennial Protein Transport Across Cell Membranes Gordon Research Conference (GRC) will be held March 11-16 and will be preceded by the first Gordon Research Seminar for this meeting on March 10-11. Together these conferences will focus on mechanisms involved in translocating proteins across or into biological membranes. Elucidation of protein transport mechanisms remains a fundamental objective of modern cell biology as ~30% of all proteins are either transported across or integrated into cellular membranes. Moreover, defects in protein transport result in several human genetic diseases, and infectious microbes use protein transport systems to deliver virulence factors to plants and animals. Protein translocation machineries (translocases) are highly sophisticated nanomachines, comprising multiple receptors, motors, checkpoints, channels and complex regulatory circuits. As such, progress in this field requires an integrated approach that combines diverse methodologies including biochemistry, genetics, x-ray crystallography, cryo-EM, and fluorescence single molecule imaging. This conference is the only regularly scheduled meeting in the US devoted to an in-depth coverage of the protein transport field. It assembles specialists in these varied methodologies to report unpublished data, to evaluatehypotheses, and to generate new theories and approaches. The overall goal of 2012 Protein Transport across Cell Membranes GRC is to stimulate the exchange and vigorous discussion of the frontiers of knowledge and methodology in the protein transport field. This will be accomplished in large part by the judicious selection and recruitment of speakers and discussion leaders, and also by the intense but informal GRC format of the conference. The 2012 conference will begin with an overview session that will inform participants on the range of experimental systems, approaches, and concepts of this field. Other sessions will cover mechanistic aspects of major transport systems (15 to 20 in some eukaryotes; up to 10 in prokaryotes), as well as novel transport systems. This conference will advance knowledge into the workings of these essential and varied protein transport nanomachines. Thirty-five invited speakers and discussion leaders have already accepted, indicating a high level of enthusiasm for this meeting.Broader impacts: The mission of these associated meetings is to provide a forum that both educates experienced researchers and introduces new investigators into the field. The GRC format, which encourages extensive and spirited discussions of unpublished data and ideas, is perfect for these goals. The associated GRS is a rich training environment that will provide postdocs and students the confidence to engage in such discussions. First, GRS participants will receive basic background in the concepts, principles, and mechanisms involved in protein translocation. Second, they will receive feedback on their research, network with their peers and senior investigators, and sharpen their skills in presentation and discussion in a non-intimidating environment. Other mechanisms to integrate young investigators will include selection for GRC short talks and partial support for GRC registration. Female participants made up 38% of the participants at the 2010 conference. The 2012 GRC and GRS will obtain a gender- (and other minority-) balanced program of speakers with preference for speakers and discussion leaders that will include registration support. Together with an international distribution of attendees, the GRC and GRS will provide a rich educational experience that will mentor a diverse new generation of scientists into this and related fields.