Virus Structure and Assembly - Project Summary/Abstract “The Virus Structure and Assembly Conference” is the premier international meeting for structural virology, attracting hundreds of researchers at every career level from around the world. Organized as part of the FASEB Science Research Conference series, it has been running biennially since 1990. The Conference covers a broad range of bacterial and eukaryotic viruses, with an initial focus on virus structure and assembly pathways, mechanisms of virus entry, virus-host interactions, and viral replication, recently expanded to encompass viral genomics and evolution, therapeutics, vaccines, and nanotechnological applications. A unique feature of the Virus Structure and Assembly Conference has been the ability to merge and integrate tremendous advances in biophysical studies of viruses with functional aspects of virus biology. Fueled by the cryo-electron microscopy revolution, the FASEB meeting has brought together structural biologists, virologists, and microbiologists, promoting interactions and guiding young researchers to embrace studies on viruses. The broad focus on virus systems studied from different angles encourages inter-disciplinary approaches, stimulates collaborations, and supports the rapid transfer of technology, overcoming silos and roadblocks of more topic-focused conferences. To maintain its legacy of scientific innovation in virology, our program includes top investigators in all areas of structural virology from around the world, more than one-third of whom are new to the Conference. For 2024, we will strengthen the focus on pandemic readiness with ample exposure to RNA viruses such as HIV-1, Influenza, and SARS-CoV-2. A vital aspect of the FASEB Virus Structure and Assembly Conference pedigree is the focus on mentoring and training sessions that we achieve through extensive small-group activities between senior and junior researchers. Scientific discussions with speakers and among participants are vital to encourage the flow of new ideas and new collaborations, expanding the base and bringing new scientists to the Conference. In 2024, we will have feature daily “Meet the Expert” sessions as well as “Meet the Sponsor” and “Flash Talk” sessions for graduate students to present posters selected by our judges for 15-minute platform talks. A rich “Career Development Workshop” will be offered to early-stage researchers with guests from academia, the private sector, and government agencies, who will present, compare and contrast alternative career paths in science. All sessions will keep a strong focus on women and underrepresented groups in science, creating awareness and promoting scientific inclusiveness. Robust fundraising primarily made possible by our super-sponsor Thermo Scientific and support through this NIH R13 will allow us to offer travel scholarships to an unprecedented number of graduate students, postdocs, and early-stage researchers. While continuing the tradition of top-quality FASEB meetings, the 2024 Virus Structure and Assembly Conference will also substantially attempt to enlarge the scientific base and promote the participation of underrepresented scientists.
