Retinal Degeneration Conference

描述（由申请人提供）：即将举行的第十三届视网膜变性国际研讨会的主要目标是促进基础和临床科学家之间的当前信息和想法的交流，以促进我们对遗传性和年龄相关性视网膜变性的基本机制和治疗干预措施发展的理解的新进展。已作出特别努力，使新的调查人员进入该领域，并包括建立调查人员与临床和基础科学背景。我们已经达到了一个点，在这个领域的科学奋进的历史中，有一个共同的兴趣之间的基础和临床科学家在了解视网膜疾病的基本机制。该会议自1984年以来每两年举行一次，促进了许多合作研究项目，提供了重要的新信息。与以前的会议一样，2008年会议将有丰富的研究人员，从细胞和发育生物学家到来自世界各地主要研究/临床中心的临床科学家。2008年会议将于9月18日至23日在中国四川峨眉山举行，作为9月24日至29日在中国北京举行的第十八届国际眼科研究大会的卫星会议。会议将有3个主题演讲，6个平台会议，每天有专门的时间进行海报展示。该计划将在会议前3-4个月由组委会和国家眼科研究所代表最终确定。将涵盖的主题将包括新的基因和基因座，基因治疗，纳米粒子，分子遗传学，黄斑变性，新的动物模型，医学治疗和细胞死亡机制。然而，我们也可以灵活地包括“最新”的发现。迄今为止举行的12次会议的一个非常有利的方面是亲密的场所，促进了具有不同背景的知名科学家之间的正式和非正式讨论。这种轻松的气氛使来自世界各地的临床医生和研究人员能够相互见面，了解彼此的工作。在最近的会议上，我们通过提供旅费赠款鼓励年轻调查人员参加。2002年（B）在2010年（瑞士，rgenstock），向23名新到外地的年轻调查员提供了全额旅费，主要由NEI会议赠款提供支助。2004年（澳大利亚，珀斯），国家环境倡议的赠款资助了20. 2006年（阿根廷巴里洛切），NEI赠款资助了17名年轻研究人员。许多由NEI会议资助支持的年轻科学家现在是NIH和/或其他主要资助支持的独立研究人员。在本提案中，我们要求提供资金，用于：（1）向20名年轻调查员和3名主旨发言人提供全额旅费，（2）支付一些行政费用。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The primary goal of the forthcoming XIII International Symposium on Retinal Degenerations is to promote the exchange of current information and ideas among basic and clinical scientists in the interest of fostering new advances in our understanding of basic mechanisms and development of therapeutic interventions for inherited and age-related retinal degenerations. Special effort has been made to bring new investigators into the field and to include established investigators with clinical and basic science backgrounds. We have reached a point in the history of scientific endeavor in this field where there is a common interest among basic and clinical scientists in understanding the fundamental mechanisms underlying retinal diseases. This meeting, which has been held biennially since 1984, has been responsible for fostering many of the collaborative research projects that have provided vital new information. As with previous meetings, the 2008 conference will feature a rich mixture of investigators, ranging from cell and developmental biologists to clinician-scientists from major research/clinical centers throughout the world. The 2008 meeting will be held in Emeishan, Sichuan, China on September 18 - 23 as a satellite of the XVIII International Congress of Eye Research to be held in Beijing, China September 24 - 29. The meeting will have 3 keynote presentations, 6 platform sessions, and dedicated time each day for poster presentations. The program will be finalized by the Organizing Committee and representatives of the National Eye Institute 3-4 months before the meeting. Topics to be covered will include new genes and loci, gene therapy, nanoparticles, molecular genetics, macular degeneration, novel animal models, medical therapies, and mechanisms of cell death. However, we have the flexibility to include "late-breaking" discoveries as well. A highly favorable aspect of the 12 meetings held to date is the intimate venues that have fostered formal and informal discussions among established scientists with diverse backgrounds. This relaxed atmosphere has allowed clinicians and researchers from all parts of the world to meet each other and learn of each other's work. At recent meetings, we have encouraged young investigators to attend by providing travel grants. In 2002 (B¿rgenstock, Switzerland), full travel awards were provided to 23 young investigators new to the field, supported primarily by an NEI conference grant. In 2004 (Perth, Australia), the NEI grant supported travel for 20. In 2006 (Bariloche, Argentina), the NEI grant supported 17 young investigators. Many of the young scientists support by this NEI Conference Grant now are independent investigators with NIH and/or other major grant support. In this proposal, we request funds to provide: 1) full travel awards to 20 young investigators and 3 keynote speakers and 2) some administrative expenses.