Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
Epigenetics refers to the study of heritable changes in genome function that occur without a change in primary DNA sequence. The 2009 Gordon Conference in Epigenetics, to be held August 9 - 14, 2009, at The Holderness School, NH, will feature discussion of various epigenetic phenomena, emerging understanding of their underlying mechanisms, and the growing appreciation that human, animal, and plant health all depend on proper epigenetic control. Special emphasis will be placed on genome-environment interactions particularly as they relate to human disease. Towards improving knowledge of molecular mechanisms, the conference will feature international leaders studying the roles of higher order chromatin structure, noncoding RNA, repeat elements, nuclear organization, and morphogenic evolution. Traditional and new model organisms are selected from plants, fungi, and metazoans. Our application requests partial funding to support this Gordon Conference. Our primary goals are to provide a venue in which basic and applied scientists from diverse fields to come together and exchange knowledge at the forefront of their respective fields, and also to provide an environment in which the careers of young investigators (students, postdoctoral fellows, and new principal investigators) can be promoted. The conference will consist of 9 formal sessions, each consisting of 5-7 oral presentations (including plenary talks by leading scientists in the area) and 4 afternoon poster sessions.
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
(N/A)
Developmental
100%
Goals / Objectives
The goals of the Gordon Research Conference on Epigenetics to be held August 9 - 14, 2009, are to advance our understanding of epigenetic mechanisms by facilitating the exchange of information and ideas from experts working in a wide array of epigenetic systems, to introduce new issues and new questions that push the boundaries of epigenetics, while at the same time, provide a venue in which alternative viewpoints can be heard and discussed openly; and to promote the careers of young investigators, including students, postdoctoral fellows, and new principal investigators including underrepresented minorities.
Project Methods
The Gordon Research Conference on Epigenetics will have 9 platform sessions featuring 48 invited speakers, 12 discussions by leaders built into each session, 9 short talks selected from abstracts, and four poster sessions spread over five days. In order to maximize talks featuring critical discoveries made in the final months leading up to the meeting, we plan to feature 2 additional long talks and 9 short talks selected from submitted abstracts. Of particular interest will be those new to the conference, members of under-represented groups, and young investigators, including new principal investigators, postdoctoral fellows, and students. Each long talk will be 20' followed by 10' of discussion. Each short talk will be 10' followed by 5' of discussion. The remaining time will be given to our 12 discussion leaders who will present overviews and alternative viewpoints.