Editing and Modification of RNA and DNA

The 2011 Gordon Research Conference on RNA Editing brings together leading investigators to discuss cutting edge research on the editing and modification of RNA and DNA. Editing and modification is found in all organisms, and influences many vital processes including splicing, protein synthesis, immunoglobulin class switch recombination, somatic hypermutation, cancer virus replication, nervous system development and function, control of miRNA, and genetic imprinting. This conference has been held every other year since 1997, and is the only regularly scheduled meeting devoted to these topics. This GRC provides an outstanding venue for investigators to present new findings on the diverse nucleic acid editing and modification systems, and to present new approaches to understanding these systems, in a forum that promotes active discussion among participants, and which often leads to new insights and deeper understanding of editing and modification mechanisms.

This meeting will include about 50 speakers representing the central areas of RNA and DNA Editing and Modification, and a total of about 140 participants. The program will be comprised of nine morning or evening sessions, which will be organized to bring together investigators working on different systems with common areas of interest, in the following broad areas: evolution and diversity in editing and modification; target site recognition and catalysis by editing and modification enzymes; editing and innate immunity; regulation of editing and modification; editing, viral infection and host defense; macromolecular machines and functional interactions; structural insights into RNA editing and modification; biological and medical impact of editing and modification; RNA editing and RNA interference. A number of the speakers will be chosen from submitted abstracts, particularly from graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, junior faculty, and underrepresented minorities. In addition, the program will include four late afternoon poster sessions at which all participants are encouraged to present results, and otherwise free afternoons to further foster interactions.