2013 Fibronectin, Integrins & Related Molecules GRC/GRS

描述（由申请人提供）：我们请求部分支持纤维连接蛋白，整合素和相关分子戈登研究会议（GRC）和戈登研究研讨会（GRS）。会议将分别于2013年2月10日至15日和2月9日至10日在加州文图拉的文图拉海滩万豪酒店举行。会议的广泛和长期目标首先是增加我们对以下问题的理解：1）细胞与周围细胞外基质之间的相互作用如何促进正常发育和稳态; 2）如何利用这些知识来更好地理解和治疗人类疾病，如癌症和心血管疾病; 3）细胞基质粘附的基本分子机制，包括从细胞外的细胞外基质通过跨膜受体如整合素延伸到细胞骨架和细胞核的复杂超分子结构; 4）整合素粘附体的分子如何特别适应于响应和抵抗机械力。我们的第二个目标是为下一代科学家的教育和培训做出贡献。在GRC之前的GRS的增加和更新为研究生，博士后和其他具有可比经验和教育水平的科学家提供了一个特殊的机会，可以相互讨论他们目前的研究，并与4名资深科学家讨论。从过去的经验来看，很明显，这一计划加强了与会者的信心，使他们更积极地参与主要的GRC。这个应用程序的具体目标是举行一个GRS和一个GRC，推进该领域。为期两天的GRS将召集2名特邀演讲者，2名讨论负责人，最多50名研究生和博士后与会者，其中12人将被选中进行演讲。为期五天的GRC将召集22位特邀演讲者，包括GRS参与者在内的150位与会者，其中22位将被选中参加会谈。这两个项目都将包含海报会议，以进一步最大限度地提高科学讨论。这些会议寻求通过解决目前许多生物学领域共同面临的两个挑战来推动该领域的发展。首先是整合强大的定量分析，生物物理学和工程方法，先进的显微镜和数学建模，以提高我们对分子机制的理解。特别是，这是至关重要的，我们把这些方法来阐明特殊的机械传感特性的整合素粘附机械。第二个是使用方法来解决完整生物体内的功能，从而更好地理解这些分子如何促进发育，稳态和疾病，从而可以改善整合素和ECM相关疾病的治疗。我们特别寻求了解细胞外基质的机械特性和细胞骨架的联系如何对细胞行为产生如此深远的影响。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): We request partial support for the Fibronectin, Integrins and Related Molecules Gordon Research Conference (GRC) and Gordon Research Seminar (GRS). The meetings will be held February 10-15, and February 9-10, 2013 in the Ventura Beach Marriott, Ventura, California, respectively. The broad and long-term objectives of the conference are firstly to increase our understanding of: 1) how interactions between cells and the surrounding extracellular matrices contribute to normal development and homeostasis; 2) how to use this knowledge to obtain a greater understanding and treatment of human diseases, such as cancer and cardiovascular disease; 3) the fundamental molecular mechanisms of cell matrix adhesion, involving complex supramolecular structures extending from the extracellular matrix outside the cell, through transmembrane receptors such as intregrins, to the cytoskeleton and nucleus; 4) how the molecules of the integrin adhesome are especially adapted to respond to and transduce mechanical force. Our second objective is to contribute to the education and training the next generation of scientists. The addition and renewal of the GRS that precedes the GRC provides an exceptional opportunity for graduate students, post- docs, and other scientists with comparable levels of experience and education to discuss their current research with each other and 4 more senior scientists. From past experience it is evident that this scheme strengthens the confidence of the attendees so that they are more active and engaged in the main GRC. The specific aims of this application are to hold a GRS and a GRC that advance the field. The two day GRS will convene 2 invited speakers, 2 discussion leaders with up to 50 graduate student and postdoctoral attendees, 12 of whom will be selected to give talks. The five day GRC that follows will convene 22 invited speakers, with 150 attendees, including the GRS participants, 22 of which will be selected for talks. Both programs will contain poster sessions to further maximize scientific discussions. These meetings seek to advance the field by addressing two challenges shared by many biological fields at present. The first is to integrate robust quantitative analysis, biophysical ad engineering approaches, advanced microscopy and mathematical modeling to enhance our understanding of molecular mechanisms. In particular, it is vital that we bring these approaches to elucidate the special mechano-sensing properties of the integrin adhesion machinery. The second is to use methods to address function within the intact organism, leading the way to a better understanding of how these molecules contribute to development, homeostasis and disease, so that treatments of integrin and ECM related diseases can be improved. We especially seek to understand how mechanical properties of the extracellular matrix and the links to the cytoskeleton have such profound effects on cell behavior.