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.