Protein Phosphatases - ABSTRACT This application requests partial funding support for the 2026 Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) Science Research Conference on Protein Phosphatases, entitled, “Shaping the Future of Phosphatase-Targeted Therapeutics,” to be held at the Yours Truly DC Hotel in Washington, DC, on December 14–17, 2026. Protein phosphatases play fundamental roles in cellular signaling pathways, and for more than 36 years, this conference has provided a premier forum for advancing our understanding of their roles in normal physiology and human disease. Recent discoveries have expanded our understanding of the functions and regulation of more than 1,000 protein phosphatase catalytic and regulatory subunits, complexes, and isoforms that govern cellular homeostasis. As the causal roles of specific phosphatases and their disease-associated mutations continue to be elucidated, investigators across academia, medicine, and industry are integrating basic, translational, and clinical research to accelerate therapeutic discovery. This conference provides a forum for disseminating emerging discoveries, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, and translating mechanistic insights into therapeutic strategies. The 2026 meeting represents the 18th installment of this long-standing biennial conference, held continuously since 1990, and remains the only North American conference dedicated exclusively to protein phosphatases. The meeting will also continue the successful partnership between the FASEB Protein Phosphatase Conference and the Japanese Association for Protein Phosphatase Research (JAPPR), strengthening international collaboration and scientific exchange. The 12 scientific sessions will feature internationally recognized leaders and emerging investigators presenting advances in structural biology, signaling, disease mechanisms, drug discovery, and translational science. The 2026 keynote lectures will be delivered by two internationally recognized leaders in phosphatase research: Anne Bertolotti, PhD, Group Leader at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (MRC-LMB), and Michel Tremblay, PhD, Distinguished Professor at McGill University. The Specific Aims of the 2026 FASEB-JAPPR Conference are to: (1) present and discuss the latest advances in the structure, regulation, and function of protein phosphatases, with particular emphasis on their roles in cancer and other human diseases and their validation as therapeutic targets; (2) highlight innovative technologies, rigorous experimental approaches, and emerging discoveries that integrate phosphatase biology with complementary scientific disciplines, foster multidisciplinary collaboration, and accelerate therapeutic translation; and (3) strengthen the future biomedical research workforce by supporting the professional development of early career investigators, including graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and junior faculty, through a collaborative and scientifically rigorous environment that promotes mentoring, networking, scientific exchange, and opportunities to present their research. This R13 proposal requests support to facilitate the participation of early career investigators as oral and poster presenters, enabling participants from a broad range of institutions and scientific disciplines to engage with leaders in the field, establish collaborations, and advance phosphatase research.
