2012 Mutagenesis Gordon Research Conference

描述(由申请人提供)：2012年戈登突变研究会议(GRC)题为“微妙的平衡：遗传稳定性和疾病中的细胞突变途径”，将重点讨论突变的不同机制及其影响人类健康和疾病的方式。突变为进化提供了“原材料”，但突变率的升高和遗传的不稳定与衰老以及与年龄相关的癌症和神经变性疾病有关。此外，生殖系突变会带来影响许多综合征的遗传病风险。诱变与环境有关，因为许多环境因素提高了突变率，从而增加了暴露于环境中的个人的疾病风险，并增强了遗传性疾病的风险。微生物中的突变为理解基本机制提供了重要的模型，它们对于产生具有更高的抗生素耐药性或新的致病特征的变异具有重要意义。该计划的特点是专注于突变是如何发生的，并导致癌症、神经退化、过早衰老和一系列遗传性罕见人类疾病中表现出的遗传和基因组不稳定。DNA维持的基本机制是这一领域的组成部分，也是该计划的重要组成部分。被邀请的演讲者代表了上述所有主题，涵盖了学术、政府和非营利机构部门的一系列实验室。大约25%的演讲者将从提交的摘要中挑选出来，这将确保包括最新的发展，并确保初级调查人员在计划中得到最佳代表。该计划分为开幕式主旨会议，随后每天上午和下午的会议将讨论(1)突变中的分支途径；(2)氧化应激和内源性DNA损伤；(3)DNA维持途径；(4)重组途径，好的和不好的；(5)有问题的DNA结构；(6)微生物世界中的超突变；(7)组织特异性和衰老相关的突变；(8)突变和疾病。会议内有充足的讨论时间，会议外有充足的非正式时间供与会者互动。每天的海报会议能够展示正在进行的工作，并促进学生、博士后研究员、新的研究人员和该领域更资深的人物之间的直接互动。主要目标是探索诱变研究前沿的现有知识；确定诱变研究的新方向；确定提高遗传稳定性的治疗策略，以消除疾病，或利用诱变本身作为一种治疗方法；鼓励新的合作，特别是开发跨系统和学科的工作；以及加强和促进青年科学家的职业生涯，并鼓励他们在该领域继续工作。网站的质量(萨尔维里贾纳大学，纽波特，RI)将加强这些互动，同时提供全面的访问和支持，本身就是一个重要的吸引力，潜在的与会者。 与公共卫生相关：突变是DNA序列中影响遗传功能的变化，是癌症形成的核心，与神经退行性变和早衰综合征有关，并会导致遗传性疾病风险。这次会议将探讨控制遗传稳定性或在各种系统中引起突变的机制的最新研究进展。该计划和地点将最大限度地传播新成果，并加强与突变领域相关研究的广泛科学家之间的互动。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The 2012 Gordon Research Conference (GRC) on Mutagenesis, titled "A Delicate Balance: Cellular Mutation Pathways in Genetic Stability and Disease", will focus on the diverse mechanisms of mutagenesis and the manner in which they affect human health and disease. Mutagenesis provides the "raw material" for evolution, but elevated mutation rates and genetic instability are associated with aging and age-related diseases of cancer and neurodegeneration. Moreover, germline mutations confer inherited disease risk affecting many syndromes. Mutagenesis relates to the environment in that many environmental agents drive up mutation rates to increase disease risk in exposed individuals and potentiate inherited disease risk. Mutations in microbes provide important models for understanding basic mechanisms, and they are of importance in generating variants with increased antibiotic resistance or novel pathogenic features. The Program is distinguished by its focus on how mutations occur and give rise to the genetic and genomic instability manifest in cancer, neurodegeneration, premature aging and a host of inherited rare human diseases. Basic mechanisms of DNA maintenance are an integral part of this area and are also an important component of the program. The invited speakers represent the entire range of subjects cited above, and they cover a range laboratories of the academic, government and non-profit institute sectors. About 25% additional speakers will be selected from the submitted abstracts, which will ensure that the latest developments are included, and that beginning investigators are optimally represented on Program. The Program is organized into an opening keynote session, followed by daily morning and afternoon sessions on (1) Branching Pathways in Mutagenesis; (2) Oxidative Stress and Endogenous DNA Damage; (3) DNA Maintenance Pathways; (4) Recombinational Pathways, Good and Bad; (5) Problematic DNA Structures; (6) Hypermutation in the Microbial World; (7) Tissue-Specific and Aging-Related Mutagenesis; (8) Mutation and Disease. Abundant time is included for discussion within the sessions, with plentiful informal time outside the sessions for participants to interact. Daily poster sessions enable the presentation of work in progress and facilitate direct interaction among students, postdoctoral fellows, new investigators, and more senior figures in the field. Key objectives are to explore current knowledge at the frontier of mutagenesis research; to identify new research directions in mutagenesis; to identify therapeutic strategies to enhance genetic stability to offse disease, or to exploit mutagenesis itself as a therapy; to stimulate novel collaborations, especially exploiting work across systems and disciplines; and to enhance and promote the careers of young scientists and encourage their continuation in the field. The quality of the site (Salve Regina University, Newport, RI) will enhance these interactions while providing full access and support, and is itself a significant attraction for potential attendees. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: Mutations, changes in DNA sequence that affect genetic function, are central to cancer formation, are associated with neurodegeneration and premature aging syndromes, and give rise to inherited disease risk. This meeting will explore the latest research developments in mechanisms that control genetic stability or give rise to mutations in a wide variety of systems. The program and venue will maximize dissemination of new results and enhance the interactions among a broad range of scientists doing research related to the field of mutagenesis.