Diversifying the Transcriptome: Consequences for Development and Disease

The 2015 Gordon Research Conference on RNA Editing brings together researchers at the forefront of the field of editing and modification of nucleic acids. The impact of RNA and DNA editing and modification on biological systems is well-documented and progress in high-throughput nucleic acid sequencing techniques has clearly demonstrated that the information encoded in genomes is extensively altered at the level of gene expression. These changes impact processes as diverse as gene expression, protein synthesis, RNA splicing, somatic hypermutation, viral replication, organismal development, and immunoglobulin class switch recombination and are demonstrated to affect numerous human diseases, including cancer, metabolic disorders, pathogen recognition, immune system disorders, mitochondrial diseases, and viral and parasite pathogenesis. This biennial conference series has been held every other year since 1997, and is the only international meeting devoted to bringing together researchers working on the biogenesis, detection, and physiological consequences of normal and pathologic RNA-editing and modification events. The GRC provides a forum for researchers from diverse fields to interact extensively in an environment that promotes active discussion. Presentations from scientists at the frontiers of the field and at all stages of their careers will continue to enrich the highly collaborative nature of the RNA and DNA editing and modification fields and will excite new ideas and collaborations from among meeting participants leading to a broader understanding of these important processes in biology.

The 2015 GRC will include about 50 speakers representing all areas of RNA and DNA editing and modification systems, and a total of about 140 participants. The program will be organized to bring together experts and trainees working on different systems with common areas of interest, in the following broad areas: biogenesis and diversity of editing and modification; detection of editing and modification events, environmental adaptations and tuning genetic information; modification, editing and immunity; modification and editing-associated pathologies; regulation and quality control of editing and modification; transcriptomics and diagnostics; catalysis and target recognition by editing and modification enzymes; new horizons for editing and modification technology. A number of the speakers will be chosen from submitted abstracts, particularly from graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, junior faculty and underrepresented minorities, with a clear focus on the high scientific quality of a GRC. The program will also include four late afternoon poster sessions solely dedicated to encourage all participants to present results and engage in active discussions, and otherwise free afternoons to foster scientific interactions in a stimulating, but not competitive environment.