Understanding the Chemistry of Nucleic Acid Components to Improve Human Health

The Nucleosides, Nucleotides and Oligonucleotides Gordon Research Conference is dedicated to understanding the chemistry and biology of its title compounds. A majority of cellular processes involve components of these biomolecules, and analogues of nucleosides, nucleotides and oligonucleotides are finding increased applications in biotechnology, biology, and medicine. Over thirty compounds in this class are FDA-approved agents to treat cancer, viral infections, and metabolic disorders and to interfere with oligonucleotide function. Finally, many nanotechnology tools depend on oligonucleotides and their chemical analogues to probe structure, function and mechanism.

The 2017 Nucleosides, Nucleotides, and Oligonucleotides Gordon Research Conference will bring together chemists, biochemists, biologists, medicinal chemists and others interested in all aspects of DNA, RNA, and their components and analogs. Deeper understanding of these pathways is vital to the treatment of disease, including cancer and viral infections. The program will feature a keynote lecture and eight sessions that broadly address current issues in nucleic acid chemistry, DNA repair, discovery of anticancer and antiviral agents, nucleotide signaling molecules, enzymology of purine and pyrimidine metabolism, and RNA structure and function. Academic and industrial researchers will find common ground for productive interactions at this conference. Enhanced participation of science trainees is anticipated by the proximity of this conference to a Gordon Research Seminar on the same topic.

This conference has a strong history of poster presentations by a large fraction of the participants, and several of these will be selected and highlighted as short talks based on the abstracts submitted.