The annual meeting of the American Society of Nephrology (ASN) is the largest gathering in the world of clinical and basic scientists working on the kidney. During the first two days of Kidney Week, the ASN sponsors a series of intensive symposia including a 2-day Advances in Research symposium for clinician investigators, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, early- to mid-career academicians, practicing physicians and allied health care professionals. The subject area of this symposium is reviewed thoroughly by the ASN's Post- Graduate Education (PGE) Committee and reflects important and time-sensitive areas of clinical and translational investigation with important clinical and public health implications for the management of kidney diseases and their related comorbidities and complications. The 2013 ASN Advances in Research Conference entitled, """"""""From Molecules to Man to Main Street: the Impact of Innovations in Translational Science,"""""""" is scheduled for November 5-6, 2013 in Atlanta, GA. The focus of the conference is to translate basic concepts of molecular pathogenesis of kidney disease into innovative and effective diagnostics and therapeutics. The purpose of this grant application is to request funds for junior faculty, postdoctoral fellow, and graduate student travel awards so that ASN members at early stages of their careers can attend this conference prior to the 2013 ASN annual meeting in Atlanta, GA.
Translation of basic insights of molecular pathogenesis of disease into effective therapies in humans remains slow, expensive and fraught with many challenges. In nephrology this is particularly challenging since, despite the high incidence of kidney disease, we have very few approved targeted therapies directed toward preventing or treating acute disease and arresting progression of chronic disease. The program of the Advances in Research Symposium has been developed to explore concepts and best practices to familiarize participants with strategies that can optimize innovation and translation. The program is designed for basic scientists, clinical scientists, practitioners, trainees and members of the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. An important goal will be to develop familiarity with the processes and language of innovation and translation and to foster networking of individuals involved with the translational process from all its various perspectives
