Protein Lipidation: Enzymology, Signaling, Therapeutics - PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT We seek funding to support participation in the 15th biennial FASEB Summer Research Conference on Protein Lipidation: Enzymology, Signaling, and Therapeutics, taking place from July 21st to July 24th, 2024, at Loews Ventana Canyon in Tucson, Arizona. Protein lipidation is a pivotal process in cellular function, with lipidated proteins playing critical roles in various human diseases, including cancer, infectious disease, and age-related disorders. This conference historically brings together scientists from diverse fields to discuss topics such as acylation, prenylation, lipid synthesis, intracellular lipid transport, and protein-lipid interactions, fostering interdisciplinary collaborations and innovative research ideas. The event this time features renowned keynote speaker Edward Tate from Imperial College, presenting a talk on Probes for protein lipidation and drug discovery. The conference will focus on four interrelated themes: advances in structural biology and enzymology of enzymes involved in protein lipid modification, roles of lipid modifications in physiological processes and diseases, new methodologies for studying protein lipidation and lipidated proteins, and recent therapeutic efforts targeting protein lipidation. There will be 8 sessions featuring 42 distinguished speakers, including 26 invited faculty speakers and 16 speakers presenting short talks. Graduate students and postdoctoral fellows will give two-thirds of the short talks, with the other third given by new investigators. We will also include a “Research Snapshots” session in which 10-15 students and postdoctoral fellows who brought posters but were not selected for short talks in the main program will be invited to give a 2 minute elevator pitch. To further increase our impact on students and postdoctoral fellows, three additional events will be held, including a career development session, a meet-the-expert session, and a session on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in science. The requested funds will be used to support graduate student and postdoc travel grants, childcare supplements, and other efforts to enhance inclusivity, particularly for underrepresented groups within the research community.
