Reversible Biological Acetylation in Health and Disease - Program Summary We seek funding for the conference Reversible Biological Acetylation in Health and Diseases under the auspices of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB). The 2024 conference will be the 9th meeting of this highly valued biennial conference. This unique forum attracts scientists with diverse expertise in biochemistry, structural biology, cell and molecular biology, developmental biology, translational and clinical research. We aim to showcase the latest conceptual insights and technical advances in the field. This meeting is particularly timely because of exciting new fundamental discoveries in the linkage of acetylation, metabolism, 3D chromatin and cancer. Furthermore, novel small molecular inhibitors are being developed to effectively block oncogenic lysine acetyltransferases or lysine deacetylases. A provisional cutting-edge program provides a balanced survey of groundbreaking basic and translational research. Major topics include: 1) Writers of protein acetylation; 2) Readers of protein acetylation; 3) Erasers of protein acetylation; 4) 3D chromatin organization; 5) Metabolic regulation of reversible acetylation; 6) Biological acetylation in cancer; 7) Biological acetylation in development and aging; 8) ‘Omics’ in acetylation; and 9) Chemical biology and drug development. The FASEB meeting traditionally brings all participants in a single conference venue for unopposed sessions. The format includes plenary and poster sessions, with the former covering state-of-the-art topics by leaders in the field and cutting-edge and timely oral presentations selected from submitted poster abstracts from junior colleagues, particularly pre- and post-doctoral trainees. This ensures active engagement of junior participants in the conference and stimulates attendance at poster sessions. Moreover, there will be a ‘meet the speaker’ period following each plenary session. Two interactive workshops are planned, one on diversity networking, and another on career development for early investigators. Both workshops offer participants the opportunity to informally share challenges and solutions that they encounter at the workplace and to promote awareness of the diversity of peoples’ situations, allyship, networking and mentorship. The primary objective of the conference is to bring together top basic scientists, and clinician investigators to foster interdisciplinary collaborations. A second objective is to help development of a new generation of scientists investigating molecular mechanisms involving KATs and KDACs. The organizers will make a concerted effort to design a meeting that engages and serves our pre- and postdoctoral trainees, early-stage independent investigators and scientists from under-represented groups. We provide travel awards and best- poster awards as well as plenary talk opportunities for accomplished early investigators and investigators from under-represented communities to enhance their international visibility and allow them to enjoy extended access to world-class faculty as they ponder their career options.
