From Mechanism Stems Therapy

The 2014 Gordon Research Conference (GRC) on Post-Transcriptional Gene Regulation will be the sixth in a biennial series that began in 2004. This GRC provides an outstanding forum to present and discuss new findings about the mediation and regulation of RNA metabolism in normal and diseased states, and how such processes can be targeted and/or harnessed to treat disease. Elucidating the basic mechanisms of post-transcriptional gene regulation is essential to fully understand the organization, evolution and function of present-day genomes, as well as the involvement of RNA metabolic dysfunction in numerous genetic and acquired disorders. Such fundamental knowledge underpins development of novel therapeutics based on or targeting specific post-transcriptional processes. Areas of emphasis in 2014 will include RNA processing, RNP assembly and dynamics, intra- and extra-cellular RNP transport, mRNA translation and decay, the functions of long and short non-coding RNAs, and novel therapeutic avenues arising from our ever-increasing understanding of post-transcriptional mechanisms. Methodologies to be discussed will include genomic, bioinformatic, chemical and systems biology-based strategies, single and ensemble molecule and cell-based studies, use of model organisms, high-throughput screening and medicinal chemistry. A key goal of the 2014 meeting is to increase interaction between academic and industrial scientists for their mutual benefit and to facilitate development of novel therapeutics.

The meeting will convene approximately 45 speakers representing key areas of post-transcriptional gene regulation and therapeutic development, with a total of 160-200 participants from both academia and industry. Short talks will be chosen from abstract submissions. In addition, four late afternoon poster sessions will enable all participants to contribute to and learn about the above-mentioned topics. Participants will also have the opportunity to interact at meal times and during free early afternoon and late evening periods. While the quality of science will be cutting-edge, the atmosphere is aimed at being relaxed and interactive. Four poster prizes will be awarded: two to graduate students, and two to post-docs.