Nucleic Acid Sensing Pathways: Innate Immunity, Immunobiology and Therapeutics

Organizer(s): Thomas Tuschl, Veit Hornung and Karl-Peter Hopfner

Sponsored by DFG Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft

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Summary of Meeting:

Human cells possess intricate nucleic acid recognition processes for monitoring cellular stress and pathogen infection, which trigger the production and release of interferons and cytokines to alert neighboring cells including cells of the immune system. Various classes of nucleic acid sensors, each specific to detecting modified or unmodified, structured or unstructured DNA or RNA, have been identified and are characterized by distinct subcellular localization and also cell-type-specific expression patterns. These sensors include various nucleotidyl transferases producing second messenger small ribonucleic nucleic acid molecules as well as membrane-bound receptors ultimately leading to phosphorylation of transcription factors driving cytokine and interferon expression. This meeting focuses on cytoplasmic DNA and RNA sensors and the function of their linear and circular oligonucleotide second messenger cGAMP and 2’,5’-oligoadenylate produced upon activation. Substantial progress has been made in identification of the structures of these sensors, their nucleic acid ligands and second messenger molecules, as well as the underlying molecular pathways leading to transcriptional activation. Animal models inactivating various pathways of innate immunity have been developed. This progress has enabled targeted development of antagonists and agonists of cytokine and interferon production for therapeutic targeting of inflammatory diseases and vaccine adjuvant development, respectively. An international group of academic and industry scientists and clinicians with expertise in biochemistry and structural biology, nucleic acid chemistry, immunology, human genetics, virology, rheumatology and vaccine development will converge at this meeting to discuss the latest developments in this field.

Scholarship Deadline: January 7 2016

Discounted Abstract Deadline: January 7 2016

Abstract Deadline: February 9 2016

Discounted Registration Deadline: March 8 2016

Abstract submission is now closed. Registered attendees may bring a poster onsite. Please contact our office at +1 800-253-0685; +1 970-262-1230 or email info@keystonesymposia.org if you are interested.

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We gratefully acknowledge additional support for this conference from:

We gratefully acknowledge the generous grant for this conference provided by:

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Grant No. 1R13AI122351-01
Funding for this conference was made possible [in part] by 1 R13 AI 122351 - 01 from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. The views expressed in written conference materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

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