Organelle Cross-Talk in Cellular Homeostasis

This brand-new conference will focus on the complexity of communication and functional interplay among cellular organelles, emphasizing their role in maintaining cellular homeostasis. Organelle crosstalk is pivotal for coordinating cellular processes, and disruptions in these interactions are implicated in a range of diseases, including neurodegenerative disorders, metabolic syndromes, rare genetic diseases, and cancer. By bringing together diverse perspectives, the conference will deepen our understanding of lysosome biology, sphingolipid metabolism, mitochondrial function, and protein quality control, while exploring their implications for health and disease.

The inaugural program will focus on four main themes. First, it will present data on how lysosomes and autophagy regulate sphingolipid degradation and maintain cellular health. The sessions will also discuss how sphingolipids are produced, processed, and how disruptions in these pathways contribute to disease. The conference will then examine how mitochondrial function intersects with sphingolipid and lysosomal pathways, particularly in the context of energy production and cellular dysfunction. Finally, it will explain how cells manage protein folding and degradation, with an emphasis on how disruptions in protein quality control can interact with sphingolipid accumulation to worsen disease. These themes will serve as a platform to enhance knowledge of cellular homeostasis, focusing on topics such as autophagy-lysosome biology, sphingolipid metabolism, the role of mitochondria, and protein quality control in both health and disease.

Attendees will learn about:

· Key pathways involved in sphingolipid synthesis, transport, and degradation, and how their disruption leads to disease.

· Molecular mechanisms of lysosomal function and autophagy in sphingolipid processing.

· Emerging therapeutic approaches targeting sphingolipid metabolism and organelle dysfunction.

· Advanced research tools for studying organelle interactions and sphingolipid-related disorders.

Program Topics

· Cellular aspects of sphingolipid homeostasis

· Protein quality control in health and disease

· Autophagy-lysosomal pathways and mitochondrial biology

· Organelle crossings in cell death pathways

· Dynamic imaging techniques and computational modeling of an organelle

· AI’s role in exploring organelle cross-talk

· Maintenance of organelle homeostasis as a therapeutic strategy

· Organelles as drug carriers

· Clinical aspects of sphingolipid metabolism in diseases

Workshops

A Meet the Experts session will provide early-career researchers an opportunity to discuss science issues and tips for navigating careers in biomedical research and clinical practice. 

A Career Development Workshop for early-career researchers and junior faculty will feature a panel discussion on career choices with a panel of scientists, clinicians, and industry professionals discussing diverse career paths in academia, clinical practice, industry, and advocacy.