Recipient Organization
GORDON RESEARCH CONFERENCES, INC
512 LIBERTY LN
WEST KINGSTON,RI 02892-1502
Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
This grant application requests support for the 21st Gordon Research Conference (GRC) on the Chemistry and Biology of Tetrapyrroles at Salve Regina University, Newport, RI (July 23-28, 2006). The two specific aims of this conference are: 1).To provide a forum for the discussion of recent unpublished data by scientists with common interests in the chemistry and biology of tetrapyrrole compounds (e.g. the heme in hemoglobin and tha plan pigment, chlorophyll, needed for photosynthesis); and 2). To promote the exchange of ideas between established, new and young investigators from a wide variety of scientific disciplines (e.g., chemists, plant biochemists and biologists, microbiologists, biotechnologists and clinicians) by providing ample discussion time following formal presentations; by holding poster sessions that serve as a focus for the discussion of common interests; and, by fostering a collegial atmosphere.
Animal Health Component
20%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
80%
Applied
20%
Developmental
(N/A)
Goals / Objectives
Thus, the major objectives are to encourage fruitful interaction between scientists from a wide range of disciplines whose work is related in some way to tetrapyrroles including young scientists as well as established investigators. In addition to formal presentations, conferees present their research at poster sessions with open access over several days. Significant periods of time are set aside during the conference, which is held in a quiet location at Salve Regina University, for the development of professional relationships among the participants that traditionally help to generate not only lively discussion with the exchange of ideas but also collaborative projects that are extremely productive.
Project Methods
This grant application requests support for the 21st Gordon Research Conference (GRC) on the Chemistry and Biology of Tetrapyrroles at Salve Regina University, Newport, RI (July 23-28, 2006). The two specific aims of this conference are: 1).To provide a forum for the discussion of recent unpublished data by scientists with common interests in the chemistry and biology of tetrapyrrole compounds; and 2). To promote the exchange of ideas between established, new and young investigators from a wide variety of scientific disciplines (e.g., chemists, plant biochemists and biologists, microbiologists, biotechnologists and clinicians) by providing ample discussion time following formal presentations; by holding poster sessions that serve as a focus for the discussion of common interests; and, by fostering a collegial atmosphere. Since 1966, this biennial interdisciplinary conference has fostered collaborations between basic scientists including biochemists, biologists,
chemists and clinicians interested in tetrapyrroles. In a variety of protein environments, tetrapyrroles have diverse roles providing redox catalysts to harvest light energy and to activate, deliver and sense diatomic gases (e.g. oxygen, carbon monoxide and nitric oxide) often acting as signaling systems. This GRC represents an important venue for exchange between basic and applied researchers on tetrapyrroles and for refinement of new tools and therapies under development by the biomedical industry. Modification of the optical properties of biliprotein photoreceptors is a potential tool for the regulation of the growth and development of agronomically-relevant crop plants. Sessions have been specifically devised to showcase these advances and include new sessions: tetrapyrrole trafficking (e.g. intracellular transporters); tetrapyrroles in complex biological processes (e.g. circadian rhythms; global iron homeostasis); nanostructures and artificial enzymes (e.g. model systems of
photoreaction centers); and, a workshop with a focus on metabolomics. Funds are requested to partially support conference fees and/or travel of approximately 4 young plant biochemists who have not previously attended as well as approximately 3 plant biochemistry speakers. This program includes 28 confirmed invited speakers, a plenary lecturer, and 9 discussion leaders, selected for their scientific excellence and recent innovative work that makes significant contributions to the breadth of the program. The remaining ca. 100 conferees will be chosen to ensure a broad representation of women, ethnicity and young scientists from various disciplines in academia, medical research institutions and industry. The strengths of this established GRC are its disciplinary diversity, focus on new unpublished work, time for discussion, informal atmosphere and ban on dissemination of conference proceedings.