24th Annual Meeting of the PanAmerican Society for Pigment Cell Research: “Harnessing the Power of Scientific Discoveries in Pigment Cell Research"

摘要 2021年泛美色素细胞研究学会（PASPCR）年会，题为： "利用色素细胞研究中科学发现的力量"将在肯塔基州的列克星敦举行， 2021年9月22日至25日。PASPCR成立于1988年，由大约100名成员组成， 临床医生、发育生物学家、生物化学家、免疫学家、细胞生物学家、光生物学家和化学家 研究色素沉着、黑色素和黑色素细胞。PASPCR 2021的总体目标是增加 我们对黑素细胞的正常和异常化学、生物学和光生物学的了解， 物种及其对人类健康和疾病的贡献。在与联合国成功合作的基础上， 美国光生物学会（ASP）在我们的最后一次会议上，我们计划联合全体会议的重点 关于紫外线损伤和修复，以刺激PASPCR和ASP调查人员之间的互动。另外我们 通过与Gluck Equine合作， 研究中心（英国）考虑将马作为色素细胞生物学和黑色素瘤的两个全会的模型 sessions.会议的目标是（1）突出黑色素结构和分析的最新进展 跨物种，色素细胞对光和其他环境刺激的反应，以及基因组水平 使用相关动物模型和人体组织了解黑素细胞的功能和转化，（2） 汇集了对光保护、黑素细胞发育、 以及干细胞生物学和健康在色素性疾病中的差异，以及（3）为年轻人提供指导 调查员，特别注重查明和克服妇女的职业障碍， 代表性不足的少数民族。我们强调多样性、包容性和公平的重要性（DEI） 通过两个专门的小组讨论，并邀请来自肤色协会的教师参加我们的会议。在 应受训人员和年轻调查人员的要求，我们将举办一次小组讨论，重点是 色素细胞研究在工业设置。我们已经确保有意义地吸收年轻的调查人员， 妇女，以及在PASPCR 2021的受邀演讲者和领导层中代表性不足的少数民族。的 会议还设有一个"导师混合器"，为学生和学员提供一个结构化的机制， 从知名科学家那里获得科学和职业指导。最后，我们正在计划一个混合虚拟 为应对COVID-19大流行，采取适当的物理距离措施， 最大限度地参与会议。在强大的组织团队的带领下，PASPCR 2021有望成为一个 色素细胞生物学社区的持久影响会议。

ABSTRACT The 2021 Annual Meeting of the Pan-American Society for Pigment Cell Research (PASPCR), entitled, “Harnessing the power of scientific discoveries in pigment cell research” will be held in Lexington, Kentucky, September 22-25, 2021. Founded in 1988 and made up of approximately 100 members, the PASPCR unites clinicians, developmental biologists, biochemists, immunologists, cell biologists, photobiologists and chemists in the study of pigmentation, melanin and melanocytes. The overall objective of PASPCR 2021 is to increase our knowledge of the normal and abnormal chemistry, biology, and photobiology of the melanocyte across species and its contribution to human health and disease. Building on the success of partnering with the American Society for Photobiology (ASP) at our last meeting, we are planning a joint plenary session focused on UV damage and repair to stimulate interaction between PASPCR and ASP investigators. In addition, we are taking advantage of the robust equine research being done at UK by partnering with the Gluck Equine Research Center (UK) to consider the horse as a model for pigment cell biology and melanoma in two plenary sessions. The goals of the meeting are to (1) highlight recent advances in melanin structure and analysis across species, in pigment cell response to light and other environmental stimuli, and in genome-level understanding of melanocyte function and transformation using relevant animal models and human tissue, (2) bring together investigators and clinicians with strong interests in photoprotection, melanocyte developmental and stem cell biology and health disparities in pigmentary disease, and (3) provide mentorship to young investigators with a specific focus on identifying and overcoming career barriers of women and underrepresented minorities. We have emphasized the importance of diversity, inclusivity and equity (DEI) with two dedicated panel discussions and by inviting faculty from the Skin of Color Society to our meeting. In response to requests by trainees and young investigators, we are incorporating a panel discussion focused on pigment cell research in the Industry setting. We have ensured meaningful inclusion of young investigators, women, and underrepresented minorities among the invited speakers and leadership of PASPCR 2021. The meeting also features a "Mentorship Mixer" that provides a structured mechanism for students and trainees to obtain scientific and career guidance from well-established scientists. Finally, we are planning a hybrid virtual online/live format with suitable physical distancing measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to maximize participation in the meeting. Led by a strong organizational team, PASPCR 2021 promises to be a conference of lasting impact for the pigment cell biology community.