2007 Epithelial Differentiation & Keratinization

描述（由申请人提供）：戈登上皮分化和角化研究会议的目标是为表皮和上皮生物学前沿的新研究、机会和概念的传播和讨论提供一个刺激的论坛。1979年第一次会议的组织者欧文·弗里德伯格（Irwin Freedberg）和伊斯·伯恩斯坦（Is Bernstein）来自皮肤生物学领域，他们的愿景是为临床和基础科学家之间的互动建立一个论坛。表皮仍然是一个中心焦点，但会议已经发展到包括其他上皮系统和发育模式。此外，专注于上皮外（例如干细胞生物学和癌症领域）的研究人员也为我们小组带来了有价值的概念。2007年的项目反映了这一持续的发展，增加了对上皮干细胞更新、组织形态发生和体内平衡的细胞内和细胞间信号通路的关注。下一次会议将于2007年7月29日至8月3日在罗德岛州史密斯菲尔德的布莱恩特大学举行，会议的目标是：1)建立在定义上皮生物学前沿最重要的问题和机会并促进该领域的互动和讨论的坚实传统之上；2)培养和刺激上皮生物学中年轻研究者和未被充分代表的少数群体的研究人员的发展，他们将继续这一传统；3)确保该领域保持活力，并接受其他领域的概念和进步。为了实现这些目标，2007年会议将汇集国际骨干参与者，包括来自学术界、工业界、临床医生和基础研究人员、青年科学家和资深科学家、皮肤科医生和病理学家、细胞、发育和分子生物学家，在一个有利于自由交流思想的氛围中。会议将讨论的主题包括：1)上皮组织等复杂系统的全局方法；2)发展与癌症；3)干细胞与基因治疗；4)转录;5)分化与信号传导；6)细胞粘附与形态发生；皮肤是一个完整的器官。此外，两场议题上升会议（周二和周四晚上）将突出海报摘要，以确保该计划反映在提交本奖助金和会议之间（大约10个月）可能出现的令人兴奋的新主题。在“议题上升”会议中，将为优秀的研究生和博士后水平的演讲颁发若干“青年研究者奖”。该提案的具体目标是筹集资金，以支持旅行、会议主席、特邀演讲者和其他选出的参与者。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The goal of the Gordon Research Conference on Epithelial Differentiation and Keratinization is to provide a stimulating forum for the dissemination and discussion of new research, opportunities and concepts at the forefront of epidermal and epithelial biology. The organizers of the first meeting in 1979, Irwin Freedberg and Is Bernstein, came from the field of cutaneous biology and their vision was to develop a forum for interactions among clinical and basic scientists. The epidermis remains as a central focus, but the meeting has evolved to include other epithelial systems and developmental models. In addition, investigators whose focus is outside epithelia (for instance, in the area of stem cell biology and cancer) also bring valuable concepts to our group. The program for 2007 reflects this continuing evolution with an increased focus on intra- and intercellular signaling pathways involved in epithelial stem cell renewal, tissue morphogenesis and homeostasis. The aims of the next conference, to be held July 29 - August 3, 2007 at Bryant University, Smithfield, Rhode Island are: 1) to build on a solid tradition of defining the most important problems and opportunities at the frontiers of epithelial biology and facilitating interactions and discussion in this area, 2) to nurture and stimulate the development of young investigators, and researchers from under-represented minorities, in epithelial biology who will continue this tradition, 3) to ensure that the field remains vibrant and receptive to concepts and advances in other fields. Towards accomplishing these aims, the 2007 conference will bring together an international cadre of participants including scientists from academia, industry, clinicians and basic researchers, young scientists and senior scientists, dermatologists and pathologists, cell, developmental and molecular biologists in an atmosphere conducive to free exchange of ideas. The themes to be developed in the Sessions include 1) Global approaches to complex systems like epithelial tissues; 2) Development and Cancer; 3) Stem cells and Gene Therapy; 4) Transcription; 5) Differentiation and Signaling; 6) Cell adhesion and morphogenesis; 7) Skin as an integrated organ. In addition, two Issues Rising sessions highlighting poster abstracts (Tuesday and Thursday evenings) will ensure that the program reflects exciting new topics that may emerge between submission of this grant and the meeting (approximately 10 months). Within the Issues Rising sessions, several "Young Investigator Awards" will be given to outstanding graduate student and postdoctoral level presentations. The specific goal of this proposal is to generate funds to support the travel, and conference for chairs, invited speakers and other s elected participants.