2008 Genes and Behavior Gordon Research Conference

描述（由申请人提供）：基因与行为GRC， 2008年项目总结申请资金用于支持第三届戈登基因与行为研究会议，该会议将于2008年2月24日至29日在意大利巴尔加举行。从NIH获得的资金将用于部分支付来自美国的参与者（即年轻研究者（博士后和研究生），受邀演讲者和讨论领导者）的旅行和/或会议费用。会议将集中讨论动物行为学、神经生物学、遗传学、分子生物学、生态学和进化生物学的交叉领域，重点是分子遗传学、生物技术和行为科学的整合。总体目标是提供一个论坛，在完善和备受尊敬的戈登研究会议形式下，为两组科学家内部和之间的讨论提供一个论坛：那些开发遗传工具来研究精心选择的“模型行为系统”中的行为的科学家，以及那些在精心选择的“模型遗传系统”中研究行为的科学家。所有受邀的演讲者和讨论主持人都是在各自领域备受尊敬的专家，他们是由会议主席与会议计划委员会和特设顾问委员会协商后选出的。特别注意实现性别平衡，并邀请来自不同学科的专家参加，以便对基因对行为的影响有广泛的了解。本次会议的具体目标可以概括为：1)为基因与行为联系的最新研究提供一个论坛；2)将主要研究模式行为系统的研究人员聚集在一起，这些研究人员被选中回答行为中的一般问题，而那些研究模式遗传系统的研究人员被选中是因为他们的遗传可追溯性；3)促进分子遗传学和基因组学技术从模式遗传系统向模式行为系统的转移；4)扩大在模式遗传生物中被问到的行为问题的范围；5)确定阻碍基因组学和行为生物学整合的知识差距以及可以促进这种整合的联系。优先考虑（参加会议）代表性不足的群体成员和初级同事（研究生，博士后助理和新助理教授）。后基因组时代的主要挑战之一是理解复杂特征的遗传基础，特别是行为。了解基因和行为之间的关系将是推进精神疾病预防和治疗的关键，也是阐明对人类健康至关重要的行为过程的关键，包括影响心脏病或药物滥用风险的生活方式决定。本次会议将通过汇集研究各种生物模型、人口和技术方法的专家，促进在这方面的理解取得进展。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Genes and Behavior GRC, 2008 Project Summary Funds are requested to help support the Third Gordon Research Conference on Genes and Behavior, to held 24-29 February 2008 at Barga, Italy. Funds received from NIH would be used to partially defray the travel and/or conference fee costs for participants (i.e. young investigators (postdocs and graduate students), invited speakers, and discussion leaders) from the US. The Conference will focus on topics at the interface of animal behavior, neurobiology, genetics, molecular biology, ecology and evolutionary biology with an emphasis on the integration of molecular genetics, biotechnology and the behavioral sciences. The overall aim is to provide a forum, within the well- established and highly respected Gordon Research Conference format, for discussions within and between two groups of scientists: those developing genetic tools to study behavior in carefully selected "model behavioral systems," and those who study behavior in carefully selected "model genetic systems." All of the invited speakers and discussion leaders are highly regarded experts in their fields, and they were selected by the Conference Chair in consultation with a conference program committee and an ad-hoc committee of advisors. Special attention has been given to achieving gender balance and to include experts from the diverse disciplines that must be represented to achieve a broadly based understanding of the influences of genes on behavior. The specific objectives of this conference may be summarized: 1) To provide a forum for the latest research linking genes to behavior; 2) To bring together researchers working primarily on model behavioral systems, chosen to answer general questions in behavior, with those working on behavior in model genetic systems, chosen for their genetic tractability; 3) To promote transfer of molecular genetic and genomic techniques from model genetic systems to model behavioral systems; 4) To expand the range of behavioral questions being asked in model genetic organisms; and 5) To identify both gaps in knowledge that hinder the integration of genomics and behavioral biology and links that could enhance this integration. Preference (for attending the conference) will be given to members of under-represented groups and junior colleagues (graduate students, postdoctoral associates, and new assistant professors). One of the major challenges of the post-genomic era is to understand the genetic basis of complex traits, especially behavior. Understanding the relationships between genes and behavior will be key for advancing in the prevention and treatment of mental illnesses and for illuminating behavioral processes important to human health, including life-style decisions affecting the risk of heart disease or substance abuse. This conference will promote progress towards this understanding by bringing together experts working with a variety of organismal models, human populations and technical approaches.