SCIENTIFIC SESSIONS:
- PGE2 in PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
- PROSTANOIDS and the CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
- NOVEL LIPID MEDIATORS AND ADVANCES IN LIPID MEDIATOR ANALYTICS
- LIPOXYGENASES
- ADIPOSE TISSUE and BIOACTIVE LIPIDS
See the PROGRAM in detail.
We especially welcome graduate and postdoctoral students to attend this workshop, and a special session (Young SESSION + travel award) will be devoted to them.
In addition, abstracts for posters can be submitted online, and 20 additional oral communications will be selected from the submitted abstracts.
The registration fee is 250 euros (50 euros for students or post-docs).
Feel free to go on our website for on-line information, registration and abstract submission.
From Protein Trafficking to Lipid Sorting: A Fascinating Lipid Journey
By Daniel M. Raben
In the newest “Lipid News” article, Fred Maxfield discusses how he became interested in lipid trafficking that eventually led him to some seminal discoveries. As Fred notes in his article “Basic mechanisms for maintaining distinct lipid compositions in different organelles are only partially understood, which means that this is an area where fundamental principles are still awaiting discovery”. And much was discovered. This article outlines Fred’s discovery of lipid sorting and trafficking using a variety of state-of-the-art techniques. It’s a wonderful story that highlights discovery that arises from the interdisciplinary approaches of cell biology biochemistry and biophysics of membranes. It’s a fun read and one that captures the excitement of graduate student that still lives in an established investigator.
See the full article
LIPID NEWS: Desperately seeking Sputnik for fundamental science
It is clear that researchers and the public need something around which they can rally, but what should it be?
By Daniel M. Raben and Joseph J. Baldassare
We have been pondering an important question: Do we need a Sputnik for fundamental science? We have become convinced that we do, which leads us to another question: What might our Sputnik be?
The need for increased funding for research and training became a national priority 55 years ago after the launch of the first artificial satellite, Sputnik 1, by the former Soviet Union. Sputnik inspired President Kennedy in 1961 to challenge NASA to put a man on the moon and return him to Earth before the close of that decade.
This challenge reawakened a national interest in science and support for funding of both applied and fundamental research. These investments paid off in many ways. The 1960s spawned a number of scientific discoveries — the first laser, the first kidney transplant, the first commercial communication satellite, the first human heart transplant and the first handheld calculator. NASA directed a successful round-trip manned flight to the moon in 1969. In addition, advances in our understanding of basic biomedical science, physics and astrophysics led to technological advances that today are part of everyday life.
But now the nation appears to have lost sight of the role of science and the need to maintain funding for science. What do we need to do to spur enthusiasm in lawmakers and the general public for fundamental research similar to the enthusiasm that was present after Sputnik?
First, let’s look at why the launch of Sputnik was so effective. One obvious and important reason is national pride: The Russians were beating us! But today, because of rapid communication and other factors, the scientific community is global. Appealing to national pride alone is not only short-sighted but counterproductive. Clearly, global scientific collaboration is necessary. Focusing on national competition could damage collaborations important for future advances and discoveries.
Today, when we do engage in public discourse about science, we often hear the refrain, “We put a man on the moon in 10 years, so why can’t we cure cancer?” What people fail to realize, and what scientists fail to communicate effectively, is that we understood the laws of physics and essential aspects of cosmology necessary to put someone on the moon and return them to Earth. But we don’t understand all the rules of cancer and a variety of other diseases and destructive natural phenomena. That’s why we need to support fundamental research!
Clearly, it’s a major challenge to convince the general public once again of the vital role of science, especially fundamental research, to maintain and improve our lifestyles and lives. So we are putting the question to you: How can we inspire widespread support for advances in fundamental research that provide the foundations on which practical discoveries and applications depend? Which mission or cause do you think could be the Sputnik of fundamental science?
This article was published in the May 2014 issue of the ASBMB Today.
Congratulations to the new Lipid Division Award winners!
This year’s Shaw Young Investigator in Lipid Research Award Winner is Mary L. Kraft at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Dr. Kraft’s research focuses on using mass spectrometry to image lipids in cellular systems. She has developed and applied new and important methodologies to assess the organization of cholesterol and sphingolipids in the plasma membrane.
View meeting Lecture
This year’s Avanti Award in Lipids Winner is Sandra L. Hofmann at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. Dr. Hofmann’s research focuses on the metabolism of proteins modified by lipids. This work has lead to a better understanding of how mutations in the palmitoyl protein thioesterase gene contribute to a group of hereditary brain disorders called the neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses.
View meeting Lecture
Check out the new thematic series on Fat-Soluble Vitamins in the Journal of Lipid Research. This series is introduced by Mary L. Chang ASBMB Publications Manager for the Journal of Lipid Research in the August issue of ASBMB today:
Vitamins A, D, E and K are the four fat-soluble vitamins required to maintain good health in higher organisms. The July issue of the Journal of Lipid Research marks the beginning of a thematic series on these vitaminscoordinated by editorial board member William S. Blaner of Columbia University. The special section in the July issue includes an introductory editorial by Blaner and four reviews from experts on vitamin A. Subsequent issues this year will explore vitamins D, E and K.
In developing countries, vitamin A deficiency remains a major public health concern, and much research is focused on identifying populations most at risk. Coordinated efforts in molecular research to develop vitamin-A–fortified plant sources could help eradicate this public health problem. Epidemiologic studies are being conducted to understand how dietary intake of the vitamin might be related to development or incidence of certain diseases. The four thematic reviews in July’s JLR focus on vitamin A’s molecular actions and its metabolism.
In one review, Abdulkerim Eroğlu and Earl H. Harrison of Ohio State of University explore the research insights on carotenoid conversion to vitamin A, carotenoid metabolism to create apo-carotenoids, and the actions and metabolism of carotenoids in higher animals.
Columbia University’s Sheila M. O’Byrne and William S. Blaner’s contribution to the series examines how vitamin A is stored in the body as retinyl esters, how they evolved, and how mobilization of these stores is achieved through the actions of specific vitamin-A–binding proteins and enzymes.
Natalia Y. Kedishvili of University of Alabama at Birmingham reviews what is known of the formation of retinoic acid and how it is broken down and eliminated from cells and tissues.
In the fourth and final review, Ziad Al Tanoury, Aleksandr Piskunov and Cecile Rochette-Egly of France’s Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire discuss what is known about the retinoic acid receptors, how retinoic acid can affect genomic expression and the nongenomic effects of vitamin A.
ASBMB science writer Raj Mukhopadhyay has written some fascinating lipid-related blog posts. Check out one of the latest posts showcasing research indicating that gut bacteria may be a source of male steroid hormones. There are many more fascinating posts to browse on her blog Wild Types!
UP COMING LIPID MEETINGS
Kern Lipid Conference
Evolving Concepts of HDL Function in Cardiomeabolic Diseases and Beyond
Vail, Colorado
http://www.kernconference.org
ISPL 2014
21st International Symposium on Plant Lipids
Guelph, Canada - July 6-11, 2014
https://www.uoguelph.ca/ispl2014/
12th Euro Fed Lipid Congress
"Oils, Fats and Lipids: From Lipidomics to Industrial Innovation"
14-17 September 2014, Montpellier, France
http://www.eurofedlipid.org/meetings/montpellier2014/index.php
Systems Biology of Lipid Metabolism (B4)
Scientific Organizers: Matej Orešič, Antonio J. Vidal-Puig and Ana Maria Cuervo
February 9—13, 2015
Beaver Run Resort, Breckenridge, Colorado, USA
http://www.keystonesymposia.org/15B4
FASEB Science Research Conferences
Molecular Mechanisms of Intestinal Lipid Transport & Metabolism
July 6-11, 2014
Snowmass, Colorado
http://www.faseb.org/src
SCIENTIFIC SESSIONS:
- PGE2 in PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
- PROSTANOIDS and the CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
- NOVEL LIPID MEDIATORS AND ADVANCES IN LIPID MEDIATOR ANALYTICS
- LIPOXYGENASES
- ADIPOSE TISSUE and BIOACTIVE LIPIDS
See the PROGRAM in detail.
We especially welcome graduate and postdoctoral students to attend this workshop, and a special session (Young SESSION + travel award) will be devoted to them.
In addition, abstracts for posters can be submitted online, and 20 additional oral communications will be selected from the submitted abstracts.
The registration fee is 250 euros (50 euros for students or post-docs).
Feel free to go on our website for on-line information, registration and abstract submission.
From Protein Trafficking to Lipid Sorting: A Fascinating Lipid Journey
By Daniel M. Raben
In the newest “Lipid News” article, Fred Maxfield discusses how he became interested in lipid trafficking that eventually led him to some seminal discoveries. As Fred notes in his article “Basic mechanisms for maintaining distinct lipid compositions in different organelles are only partially understood, which means that this is an area where fundamental principles are still awaiting discovery”. And much was discovered. This article outlines Fred’s discovery of lipid sorting and trafficking using a variety of state-of-the-art techniques. It’s a wonderful story that highlights discovery that arises from the interdisciplinary approaches of cell biology biochemistry and biophysics of membranes. It’s a fun read and one that captures the excitement of graduate student that still lives in an established investigator.
See the full article
LIPID NEWS: Desperately seeking Sputnik for fundamental science
It is clear that researchers and the public need something around which they can rally, but what should it be?
By Daniel M. Raben and Joseph J. Baldassare
We have been pondering an important question: Do we need a Sputnik for fundamental science? We have become convinced that we do, which leads us to another question: What might our Sputnik be?
The need for increased funding for research and training became a national priority 55 years ago after the launch of the first artificial satellite, Sputnik 1, by the former Soviet Union. Sputnik inspired President Kennedy in 1961 to challenge NASA to put a man on the moon and return him to Earth before the close of that decade.
This challenge reawakened a national interest in science and support for funding of both applied and fundamental research. These investments paid off in many ways. The 1960s spawned a number of scientific discoveries — the first laser, the first kidney transplant, the first commercial communication satellite, the first human heart transplant and the first handheld calculator. NASA directed a successful round-trip manned flight to the moon in 1969. In addition, advances in our understanding of basic biomedical science, physics and astrophysics led to technological advances that today are part of everyday life.
But now the nation appears to have lost sight of the role of science and the need to maintain funding for science. What do we need to do to spur enthusiasm in lawmakers and the general public for fundamental research similar to the enthusiasm that was present after Sputnik?
First, let’s look at why the launch of Sputnik was so effective. One obvious and important reason is national pride: The Russians were beating us! But today, because of rapid communication and other factors, the scientific community is global. Appealing to national pride alone is not only short-sighted but counterproductive. Clearly, global scientific collaboration is necessary. Focusing on national competition could damage collaborations important for future advances and discoveries.
Today, when we do engage in public discourse about science, we often hear the refrain, “We put a man on the moon in 10 years, so why can’t we cure cancer?” What people fail to realize, and what scientists fail to communicate effectively, is that we understood the laws of physics and essential aspects of cosmology necessary to put someone on the moon and return them to Earth. But we don’t understand all the rules of cancer and a variety of other diseases and destructive natural phenomena. That’s why we need to support fundamental research!
Clearly, it’s a major challenge to convince the general public once again of the vital role of science, especially fundamental research, to maintain and improve our lifestyles and lives. So we are putting the question to you: How can we inspire widespread support for advances in fundamental research that provide the foundations on which practical discoveries and applications depend? Which mission or cause do you think could be the Sputnik of fundamental science?
This article was published in the May 2014 issue of the ASBMB Today.
Congratulations to the new Lipid Division Award winners!
This year’s Shaw Young Investigator in Lipid Research Award Winner is Mary L. Kraft at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Dr. Kraft’s research focuses on using mass spectrometry to image lipids in cellular systems. She has developed and applied new and important methodologies to assess the organization of cholesterol and sphingolipids in the plasma membrane.
View meeting Lecture
This year’s Avanti Award in Lipids Winner is Sandra L. Hofmann at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. Dr. Hofmann’s research focuses on the metabolism of proteins modified by lipids. This work has lead to a better understanding of how mutations in the palmitoyl protein thioesterase gene contribute to a group of hereditary brain disorders called the neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses.
View meeting Lecture
Check out the new thematic series on Fat-Soluble Vitamins in the Journal of Lipid Research. This series is introduced by Mary L. Chang ASBMB Publications Manager for the Journal of Lipid Research in the August issue of ASBMB today:
Vitamins A, D, E and K are the four fat-soluble vitamins required to maintain good health in higher organisms. The July issue of the Journal of Lipid Research marks the beginning of a thematic series on these vitaminscoordinated by editorial board member William S. Blaner of Columbia University. The special section in the July issue includes an introductory editorial by Blaner and four reviews from experts on vitamin A. Subsequent issues this year will explore vitamins D, E and K.
In developing countries, vitamin A deficiency remains a major public health concern, and much research is focused on identifying populations most at risk. Coordinated efforts in molecular research to develop vitamin-A–fortified plant sources could help eradicate this public health problem. Epidemiologic studies are being conducted to understand how dietary intake of the vitamin might be related to development or incidence of certain diseases. The four thematic reviews in July’s JLR focus on vitamin A’s molecular actions and its metabolism.
In one review, Abdulkerim Eroğlu and Earl H. Harrison of Ohio State of University explore the research insights on carotenoid conversion to vitamin A, carotenoid metabolism to create apo-carotenoids, and the actions and metabolism of carotenoids in higher animals.
Columbia University’s Sheila M. O’Byrne and William S. Blaner’s contribution to the series examines how vitamin A is stored in the body as retinyl esters, how they evolved, and how mobilization of these stores is achieved through the actions of specific vitamin-A–binding proteins and enzymes.
Natalia Y. Kedishvili of University of Alabama at Birmingham reviews what is known of the formation of retinoic acid and how it is broken down and eliminated from cells and tissues.
In the fourth and final review, Ziad Al Tanoury, Aleksandr Piskunov and Cecile Rochette-Egly of France’s Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire discuss what is known about the retinoic acid receptors, how retinoic acid can affect genomic expression and the nongenomic effects of vitamin A.
ASBMB science writer Raj Mukhopadhyay has written some fascinating lipid-related blog posts. Check out one of the latest posts showcasing research indicating that gut bacteria may be a source of male steroid hormones. There are many more fascinating posts to browse on her blog Wild Types!
UP COMING LIPID MEETINGS
Kern Lipid Conference
Evolving Concepts of HDL Function in Cardiomeabolic Diseases and Beyond
Vail, Colorado
http://www.kernconference.org
ISPL 2014
21st International Symposium on Plant Lipids
Guelph, Canada - July 6-11, 2014
https://www.uoguelph.ca/ispl2014/
12th Euro Fed Lipid Congress
"Oils, Fats and Lipids: From Lipidomics to Industrial Innovation"
14-17 September 2014, Montpellier, France
http://www.eurofedlipid.org/meetings/montpellier2014/index.php
Systems Biology of Lipid Metabolism (B4)
Scientific Organizers: Matej Orešič, Antonio J. Vidal-Puig and Ana Maria Cuervo
February 9—13, 2015
Beaver Run Resort, Breckenridge, Colorado, USA
http://www.keystonesymposia.org/15B4
FASEB Science Research Conferences
Molecular Mechanisms of Intestinal Lipid Transport & Metabolism
July 6-11, 2014
Snowmass, Colorado
http://www.faseb.org/src