Workshop Details
Phase Separation in Biology and Disease (Virtual participation)
03/21/2022 - 03/25/2022
Meeting Description:

The phenomenon of liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) has emerged in the last 10 years as a ubiquitous mechanism for organizing biopolymers within condensed, often liquid-like, bodies in cells to perform a dizzying array of biological processes. For example, phase separation is known to mediate nucleolar organization and ribosome biogenesis, cell fate determination in early development, activity-dependent protein translation in neurons, super enhancer-dependent gene expression, gene silencing, endocytosis, T cell receptor signaling, and many other processes too numerous to mention. Further, aberrant phase separation caused by gene mutations, or through altered protein regulation, is associated with a plethora of human diseases, including neurodegenerative disorders and a variety of cancers. This workshop will focus on several cutting-edge topics, as follows:

- Biological roles of phase separation, both cytoplasmic and nuclear
- Links between aberrant phase separation and disease
- Strategies to therapeutically modulate phase separation.

TSRC workshops are very small meetings (<25 attendees) which feature in depth discussion of topics at the interfaces of physics, chemistry and biology. All attendees will present a ~30 minute lecture and are encouraged to stay for the entire time. Meetings will be held in the mornings, allowing for afternoon discussions and outdoor activities, including skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobile driving, sledding, walking, etc. Discussions continue over ad hoc large and small group dinners.

We strive for gender and career-stage balance amongst attendees. In addition to attracting academic scientists, an important goal is to engage scientists from biotech companies focused on "drugging LLPS" that have emerged [e.g., Dewpoint Therapeutics
https://dewpointx.com/), Nereid Therapeutics (https://nereidtx.com/); and Faze Medicines (https://www.fazemed.com/)].

Notes:

We wish to ensure an intimate workshop setting, with no more than 25 participants. Participants will be required to show proof of vaccination. If you are interested in attending, but have not received an invitation, please contact the workshop organizer before registering.

TSRC is about expanding the frontiers of science, exploring new ideas, and building collaborations. The workshop schedule will allow for substantial unstructured time for participants to talk and think. All participants are expected to stay for the entire duration of the workshop. Scientists are encouraged to consider bringing family or friends. There is information on childcare and family activities at https://www.telluridescience.org/travel/families. Please contact Cindy Fusting at cindy@telluridescience.org with any questions or for assistance in coordinating care.

Meeting Venue:

Ah Haa School for the Arts
155 W Pacific Ave Telluride, CO 81435

Phase Separation in Biology and Disease (Virtual participation) Registered Meeting Participants:
Participant Organization
Gsponer, Joerg UBC
Milovanovic, Dragomir German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE)
Mueller-Cajar, Oliver Nanyang Technological University
Pappu, Rohit Washington University in St. Louis
Shorter, James University of Pennsylvania
Stachowiak, Jeanne University of Texas at Austin

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