The Regulation and Function of Small GTPases - Summary
The 2024 FASEB SRC entitled “Regulation and Function of Small GTPases” represents the latest iteration of a
long-standing conference on GTPase biology that first took place in 1991. Small GTPases are binary switches
that interconvert from the GDP-bound “off” to the GTP-bound “on” state by receptors and regulatory molecules
and, when in the on state, drive signaling through various effector molecules. This conference provides broad
coverage of the RAS superfamily of GTPases that number more than 160 members and are divided into five
families: RAS, RHO, RAB, ARF, and RAN. RAS was the first small GTPase identified and remains the best
studied. Given its oncogenic activation in nearly 20% of human tumors, RAS has garnered intense interest as a
pharmacological target. Once deemed “undruggable”, the recent deployment of two FDA-approved RAS
inhibitors to the clinic has now dispelled this idea. With the involvement of other small GTPases in tumorigenesis,
interest is growing in the pharmacological inhibition of additional members of this important superfamily of signal
transducers. The FASEB SRC on Small GTPases continues the tradition of past meetings in bringing together
the leaders in the field along with trainees and those new to the area to share exciting new findings that will drive
the field forward and promote collaborations that expedite the development of new therapies. In addition, the
meeting provides numerous training and career development opportunities for trainees, early career scientists,
and clinicians. This application seeks partial funding for the 2024 FASEB SRC entitled “Regulation and Function
of Small GTPases”. The meeting will feature Keynote Lectures from Drs. Anne Ridley and Mark Philips, two
leaders in GTPase biology. In addition, there will be 27 plenary talks. Twenty-one short talks will be selected from
submitted abstracts and delivered by young scientists. All attendees will present posters. Opportunities for
informal discussions and for networking will abound over the 4-day meeting that will include unscheduled time
in the afternoons as well as Meet-the-Expert lunches, and a Career Development workshop. Thirty-five percent
of invited speakers are new to the conference and will infuse new perspective and technologies. Thirty-eight
percent of the invited speakers are women as are half of the session chairs and one of the organizers. While
three invited speakers are from underrepresented groups, a concerted effort is planned to recruit additional
speakers and trainees who are members of underrepresented groups. Ten travel/registration awards will be
made to trainees with preference given to underrepresented minorities.
