Protein Phosphorylation

In its 40th year, this conference focuses on discoveries and techniques in the field of protein phosphorylation in health and disease, bringing together an interdisciplinary group of scientists representing academia and industry. 

Protein phosphorylation is one of the most prevalent post-translational modifications governing a wide spectrum of cellular processes and is of paramount significance in the development and homeostasis of adult organisms. Decades of intensive studies of regulatory networks that coordinate protein phosphorylation in cells have highlighted their remarkable susceptibility to disruption across numerous disease conditions. Protein kinases, the catalysts driving phosphorylation, remain a prime focal point for FDA-approved therapeutics. However, the emergence of drug resistance mechanisms calls for a deeper comprehension of their functionality. 

This conference will cover the most recent findings aimed at understanding the molecular underpinnings governing the regulation of protein kinases and other phosphorylation regulators. There will be a focus on young investigators as invited speakers, as well as faculty and group leaders from historically excluded groups. 

Goals and Takeaways: 

• Activation, deactivation, structural elucidation, inhibitor impacts, and the molecular rationale behind evolving drug resistance. 
• The latest advances in pioneering therapeutic approaches targeting protein kinases in human diseases will be presented by experts in the field. 

Program Topics 

• Therapeutic response and resistance to Ras/RAF pathway inhibition 
• Molecular scale regulation of phosphorylation 
• Spatial control of signaling 
• Receptor tyrosine kinase activation and disease 
• Targeting kinases in disease 
• Phosphorylation and the immune system 
• Systems and mathematical approaches 
• Atypical kinase signaling systems 
• Systems approaches to targeted therapeutics 

Workshops 

A Meet the Experts session will feature an expert panel discussing professional development and pathways, with questions from early-career scientists. 

A Career Development Workshop will focus on key aspects of establishing an independent research position. This session will offer graduate students, postdocs, and early career investigators the chance to ask a panel of experienced faculty members about their recent experiences with transition and success in securing funding.