Protein Lipidation: Enzymology, Signaling, and Therapeutic - PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT This proposal seeks funding to support participation in the 16th biennial FASEB Science Research Conference on Protein Lipidation: Enzymology, Signaling, Therapeutics to be held July 13-15, 2026, at the “Yours Truly, DC” hotel in Washington, DC. Protein lipidation is a general term for a set of lipid-based, covalent, post- translational modifications of various types. Protein lipidation greatly impacts cellular function, with lipidated proteins having critical roles in human disease, including cancer, infectious disease, neurological disorders, and age-related disease. This conference historically assembles scientists from diverse fields to discuss topics such as S-acylation, prenylation, lipid synthesis, intracellular lipid transport, and protein-lipid interactions. The conference is intended to foster interdisciplinary collaborations and innovative research ideas. The conference will feature Mark D. Distefano (Distinguished McKnight University Professor, University of Minnesota) as the keynote speaker, who will present a talk on Chemical tools for the study of protein lipidation. The conference will focus on advances in three interrelated areas: i) structural biology and enzymology of enzymes involved in protein lipid modification, ii) methodologies for identifying and assessing the impact of lipidation on protein behavior, and iii) the impact of lipid modifications in physiology and disease, including therapeutic efforts targeting protein lipidation. There will be a keynote and seven multi-speaker scientific sessions, featuring 30 speakers in total, including 23 invited distinguished Investigators (30 min talks) and 7 speakers identified from submitted abstracts (15 min short talks). The short talks will prioritize trainees (i.e., graduate students and postdoctoral fellows) and new investigators. Trainees not selected for short talks in the main program will be invited to give a 1 slide (2 minute) pitch about their research poster during a dedicated RESEARCH SNAPSHOTS event (1 hour). Additional events to further increase our impact on trainees will include a MEET-THE-EXPERT session and NETWORKING events. The requested funds will be used to support travel awards for select domestic trainees (e.g., graduate students and postdocs selected for short talks or best poster winners), domestic Early- Stage Investigators (i.e., prioritizing those within 3 years of 1st career appointment), and domestic attendees that would otherwise not be able to attend the meeting without assistance (e.g. childcare support; trainees experiencing unanticipated lapses in funding support).
