Source: GORDON RESEARCH CONFERENCES, INC submitted to NRP
2021 CAROTENOIDS GORDON RESEARCH CONFERENCE AND SEMINAR
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
COMPLETE
Funding Source
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
1027675
Grant No.
2021-67017-35998
Cumulative Award Amt.
$20,400.00
Proposal No.
2021-02732
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Oct 1, 2021
Project End Date
Sep 30, 2023
Grant Year
2022
Program Code
[A1343]- Food and Human Health
Recipient Organization
GORDON RESEARCH CONFERENCES, INC
512 LIBERTY LN
WEST KINGSTON,RI 02892-1502
Performing Department
Department of Food Science
Non Technical Summary
This is a proposal to support the 2021 Carotenoids Gordon Research Conference (GRC) (August 8- 12, 2021, Ventura, California). Note that -due to the COVID-19 Pandemic -since the original submission of the proposal the above-mentioned conference has been postponed toJanuary 8-13, 2023 at the same location. The Carotenoids GRS that preceed this conference has been postponed toJanuary 7-8, 2023 at the same location.Carotenoids are isoprenoid pigments synthesized by plants and microorganisms with essential roles in photosynthesis, development and physiological responses. Animals utilize carotenoids obtained from the diet for pigmentation, protection from oxidative stress, vision and as vitamin A precursors. Carotenoids derivatives possess potent biological activities as nuclear receptor ligands that regulate critical mammalian cell signaling pathways. Thus, carotenoids impact on human health and chronic disease development with multiple mechanisms, throughout the lifecycle. Also, carotenoid research has focused on the biofortification of staple crops with provitamin A carotenoids to prevent vitamin A deficiency, an unresolved public health issue. This GRC provides a unique forum for investigators in the fields of plant and animal carotenoid biology. By covering different disciplines, including physiology, genetics, biochemistry, metabolism, cell biology, structural and systems biology, this conference fosters cross-disciplinary perspectives, sharing of technological expertise, and establishment of new collaborative efforts, ultimately facilitating the discovery of novel mechanisms and common properties of carotenoids across the kingdoms of life. The educational mission of the conference is strengthened by the accompanying Gordon Research Seminar (GRS), specifically for students and postdocs, and by selecting postdocs and graduate students for short talks at the GCR, promoting the contribution of women and minorities to this field of research.
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
(N/A)
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
7015010101050%
2062499106050%
Goals / Objectives
This is a proposal to support the 2021 Carotenoids Gordon Research Conference (GRC) (August 8- 12, 2021, Ventura, California). Note that -due to the COVID-19 Pandemic -since the original submission of the proposal the above-mentioned conference has been postponed toJanuary 8-13, 2023 at the same location. The Carotenoids GRS that preceed this conference has been postponed toJanuary 7-8, 2023 at the same location.Carotenoids are isoprenoid pigments synthesized by plants and microorganisms with essential roles in photosynthesis, development and physiological responses. Animals utilize carotenoids obtained from the diet for pigmentation, protection from oxidative stress, vision and as vitamin A precursors. Carotenoids derivatives possess potent biological activities as nuclear receptor ligands that regulate critical mammalian cell signaling pathways. Thus, carotenoids impact on human health and chronic disease development with multiple mechanisms, throughout the lifecycle. Also, carotenoid research has focused on the biofortification of staple crops with provitamin A carotenoids to prevent vitamin A deficiency, an unresolved public health issue. This GRC provides a unique forum for investigators in the fields of plant and animal carotenoid biology. By covering different disciplines, including physiology, genetics, biochemistry, metabolism, cell biology, structural and systems biology, this conference fosters cross-disciplinary perspectives, sharing of technological expertise, and establishment of new collaborative efforts, ultimately facilitating the discovery of novel mechanisms and common properties of carotenoids across the kingdoms of life. The educational mission of the conference is strengthened by the accompanying Gordon Research Seminar (GRS), specifically for students and postdocs, and by selecting postdocs and graduate students for short talks at the GCR, promoting the contribution of women and minorities to this field of research. This conference meets the goals of the Program Areas "Food and Human Health", Priority Code A1343, and "Diet, Nutrition and Prevention of Chronic Diseases", Priority Code A1344.
Project Methods
(N/A)

Progress 10/01/21 to 01/25/23

Outputs
Target Audience:The audience supported by this award included professors, associate professors, assistant professors, graduate students and postdocs, as well as a few representative from the industry,working in the carotenoid field of research worldwide (see countries distribution in the tablebelow). Australia 1 Canada 1 Chile 2 Denmark 1 France 2 Germany 6 Ireland 1 Israel 4 Italy 3 Japan 1 Mexico 2 Saudi Arabia 5 South Korea 1 Spain 7 The Netherlands 1 United Kingdom 2 United States 53 Uruguay 1 Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?In addition to the scientific GRC program, the GRSpre-conference was entirelygeared towards the training and professional development of the early career scientists. To this goal, the GRS chair invited two senior investigators, Drs. Bok and Kedishivli, to present a plenary lecture focused on traning and professional development.In the same spirit, the GRCalso included a "Power Hour" session, chaired by Drs. Poliakov and Moran, during which all the attendees were invited to participate to discuss/brainstorm on diversity, equity and inclusion issues most commonly experienced in the work space. Finally, there wasample time for discussion and networking during the poster sessions, meals and free afternoons. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?As per GRC policies, the content of the posters and talks must be predominantly focused on unpublished work. Hence, dissemination of the results of the GRS/GRC cannot be disseminated to communites of interest. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The GRC conference was held on January 8-13, 2023 (after being postponed multiple times due to the Covid pandemic) and it was preceeded by the GRS conference on January 7-8, 2023 (this latter run and attended exclusively by early career scientists). The GRS included 34 attendees. The GRC included 94 attendees at different career stage as indicated in the table below. The GRC participantsincluded 44 females and 50 males.In agreement with the goals of the propoal, this award sponsored thefull GRSregistration of 17 early career attendees and 2 invited speakers.Morevoer, this proposal sponsored the full GRCregistration of 19early career attendeeswho were selected (based on the submitted abstract) to present their work either as a short talkor as a poster preview talk. Note that two of the early career scientists attending the GRC were sponsored partially by this award and partially by a GRC fellowship for students belonging to underrepresented minorities(Carl Storm Fellowship). Assistant Professor 11 Associate Professor 8 Graduate Student 23 Other 1 Post Doc 12 Professor 26 Research Director 4 Research Scientist/Engineer 9

Publications


    Progress 10/01/21 to 09/30/22

    Outputs
    Target Audience:This grant supports the 2023 GRC/GRSCarotenoids that will be held January 7-13, 2023 in Ventura, CA. Thus, this conference did not take place yet. It is currently in its planning phase.This conference targets established and early career scientists in the field of carotenoids reasearch. Changes/Problems:This conference has been postponed from 2020 to 2023 due to the Covid pandemic. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The above-mentioned conference is still in its planning phase. It will be held in January 2023. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Nothing Reported What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

    Impacts
    What was accomplished under these goals? The above-mentioned conference is still in its planning phase. It will be held in January 2023.

    Publications


      Progress 10/01/21 to 09/19/22

      Outputs
      Target Audience:The audience included professors, associate professors, assistant professors, graduate students and postdocs from around the world. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?In addition to the scientific program, there will beample time for discussion and networking during the poster sessions, meals and free afternoons. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Nothing Reported What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Continue to develop the scientific program.

      Impacts
      What was accomplished under these goals? The conference has been rescheduled from 2021 to be held from January 8-13, 2023.

      Publications