International Gap Junction Conference 2013

描述(申请人提供)：人体内几乎所有细胞都形成缝隙连接。这些结构是由蛋白质(连接蛋白)组成的膜通道，连接相对的细胞，并提供小分子在细胞之间的直接移动。超过20种人类疾病与连接蛋白的突变有关。细胞通讯最广为人知的作用是使心脏内的心肌细胞同步跳动。在一系列心脏疾病中，心脏细胞通讯中断与心律失常和猝死密切相关。最近，一组与结构相关的蛋白质被发现在健康和疾病中对血管系统至关重要。随着该领域的迅速发展，研究人员发现，反复举行有针对性的科学会议是交流思想和技术的特别有价值的论坛，为科学发现铺平了道路。这项申请为2013年国际缝隙连接会议申请资金，该会议将于7月13日至18日在南卡罗来纳州查尔斯顿举行。这次会议是一系列独特的跨学科会议中的第14次，会议的重点是缝隙连接和相关的信号机制。NHLBI资助了R13，以支持2009年在美国召开的国际缝隙连接会议。这次会议的总体目标是更好地了解正常和疾病状态下的连接蛋白、连接蛋白和缝隙连接，首要目标是确定针对这些蛋白的新的药理学方法。心血管系统将是这次会议的一个特别重点。会议组织者古尔迪、科瓦尔、艾萨克森和毛尔丁博士在会议组织方面有着良好的记录。古尔迪、科瓦尔和伊萨克森博士是连接蛋白、内联蛋白和/或膜联蛋白生物学领域的资深研究人员。会议将特别强调该领域的创新发展，并使用一些新的办法来促进政府间联合委员会会议。所要求的大部分资金用于支持学生和受训人员的参与。此外，会议还将为以下方面提供持续论坛 促进富有成效的合作，并吸引来自不同背景的学生和博士后学员进入缺口连接领域。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Virtually all cells in the human body form gap junctions. These structures are membrane channels composed of proteins (connexins) that connect apposing cells and provide for the direct movement of small molecules between cells. Over 20 human diseases are linked to mutations in connexins. The most well-known role of cell communication is in synchronizing the beating of myocardial cells within the heart. Disruption of cell communication in the heart is strongly linked to arrhythmia and sudden death in a range of cardiac diseases. More recently, a structurally related group of proteins called pannexins have been found to be critical to the vasculature in health and disease. With the rapid developments in the field, investigators have found recurring targeted scientific meetings to be especially valuable forums for the exchange of ideas and techniques that pave the way for scientific discovery. This application requests funds for the 2013 International Gap Junction Conference, to be held in Charleston, South Carolina July 13- 18. This conference represents the 14th in a unique series of biennial interdisciplinary meetings focused on gap junctions and allied signaling mechanisms. The NHLBI funded an R13 in support of the International Gap Junction Conference the last time it was convened in the USA in 2009. The overall goals of this meeting are to achieve a better understanding of connexins, pannexins, and gap junctions in both normal and diseased states, with the overarching goal of identifying novel pharmacological approaches to target these proteins. The cardiovascular system will be a particular emphasis of the meeting. The meeting organizers Drs. Gourdie, Koval, Isakson and Mauldin have a strong track record in conference organization. Drs Gourdie, Koval and Isakson are established investigators in the area of connexin, innexin and/or pannexin biology. The meeting will place particular emphasis on innovative developments in the field and uses a number of novel approaches in promoting the IGJC meeting. A majority of the requested funds are in support of student and trainee participation. Additionally the meeting will provide a continuing forum for the fostering of productive collaborations and attracting students and postdoctoral trainees from diverse backgrounds to the gap junction field.