The Protein Aggregation Conference: Polymorphic Species in Function and Disease - PROJECT SUMMARY This proposal seeks funding to support 18 early career scientists (ECS) and underrepresented groups (URG) to attend the FASEB Protein Aggregation: Polymorphic Species in Health and Disease meeting in Scottsdale, AZ June 28- July 2, 2025. This conference focuses on the latest advancements in protein assembly into amyloids, exploring their implications in health and disease. Inappropriate protein aggregation underpins various neurological and systemic diseases, particularly those linked to aging. Despite enormous progress in the advancement of knowledge for how protein aggregation relates to disease pathogenesis there remain few effective therapies for these diseases. Recent discoveries have unveiled examples of functional protein aggregation in membraneless organelles and signaling pathways. These phenomena encompass not only amyloids and other structured polymers but also liquid-liquid phase separation The mechanisms and regulation of these forms of aggregation are still being deciphered, but are already illuminating fruitful intersections with pathological aggregation. These new directions in the field place protein aggregation at an energetic and exciting moment of progress. Special emphasis for the transmission of information will be placed both on the formal presentations as well as on informal interactions through discussion sessions, which will catalyze the generation of new hypotheses and the initiation of collaborations. An important goal of the meeting is to enable ECS and URG to speak in the main oral presentation venue. For this reason, a 3-member Committee for Inclusion and Diversity (CID) was created, who will organize a ½ day pre-meeting entitled “NextGen Symposium”. Fifteen URG graduate students and postdoctoral fellows will be invited to speak at this pre-meeting, which will be attended by at least 12 main meeting speakers. In addition, we have already confirmed five ECS (all female and/or URG) to speak at the main venue and have an additional 18 slots to fill from abstracts. Moreover, we outline a strategy to maintain a >50% ratio in female and male speakers, including at least 22% URG and 40% ECS. Funding is sought to provide registration for the 15 pre-meeting speakers. At least 42 poster presenters will be selected to showcase their work on the main stage in form of 2-min lightning talks. Thus over 70% of attendees will have the opportunity to present their research in front of the entire audience. Round table discussions and panel sessions over lunch will enable ECS and URG to discuss topics like careers, inclusion of underrepresented scientists, effective grant writing, etc. with experts in the field. To commemorate this long- standing meeting, we will conclude the conference with a special 30th year anniversary session with the founding organizers and key figures in the field. Our 4-day program will bring the best researchers on the most cutting-edge topics of the discipline, while emphasizing diversity, equity, and inclusion.
