Neural Glycomics and Lipidomics
Currently scheduled for Late November or Early December 2006
Jolly Beach Resort, Antigua, West Indies

Organizing Committee
Steven E. Pfeiffer, Chair (USA), Tony Futerman, Vice-chair (Israel), Kunihiko Suzuki, Co-Vice, Chair (Japan), Robert K. Yu (USA), Yasuyuki Igarashi (Japan), Yoshio Hirabayasi (Japan), Pam Fredman (Sweden), Guido Tettamanti (Italy), David Brindley (Canada), Hugo Maccione (Argentina), Francisco Barrantes (Argentina), Satyajit Mayor (India)

Local Host
Surendra S. Parmar

Glycoconjugates, including both glycolipids and glycoproteins, have long been of interest to neurochemists and neuroscientists in view of their critical involvement in lipid storage diseases and other disorders affecting the nervous system. In recent times, an important integration of molecular biology and glycomics/lipidomics has occurred, with many of the genes for lipid and carbohydrate processing/synthesizing enzymes having been cloned and many knock-out mice developed. Investigations are increasingly being focused on elucidations of specific biological functions of these molecules, including physiological roles in cell-cell and intracellular signaling, neural development, trophic-assisted cell survival. Further, it is important to understand how lipids and proteins function cooperatively and synergistically. The identification of interacting networks of lipid metabolites and glycoconjugates in an integrated manner has become a current forefront of neurochemistry, and in addition have tremendous promise for opening new doors leading to a better understanding of neuropathological processes.

A three-day program with up to 300 scientists is envisioned in which invited experts will provide a foundation through the presentations of major addresses on each aspect of this burgeoning field of inquiry. These will be supplemented by additional, shorter talks garnered from the applicant pool, and bolstered further by vigorous poster sessions. Efforts will be made to encourage attendance by young investigators at all levels, and to provide support for students, post-doctoral fellows and Assistant Professor equivalents. Key areas of concentration will include: Modern Methods of Analysis and Integration; Bioinformatics; Genetic Models; Cellular Migration and Early Neural Development, and Cellular Differentiation; Synthesis, Trafficking and Sorting of Lipids and Glycoproteins; Intracellular Signaling; Glycosphingolipids and Microdomains (lipid rafts); Adhesion and Recognition; Cell-Cell Communication; Relationship to Neural Disease.