This proposal requests partial support for the FASEB Research Conference on ?NAD+ Metabolism and Signaling? to be held June 13-18, 2021 at the Westin Snowmass Hotel, Snowmass, CO. This conference, which began in 2009 and has been attended biennially by researchers from across the world, is critical to the mission of the NIA because NAD+-dependent processes mediate key aspects of healthy aging and metabolic disorders. Although there are specialized conferences that focus on Sirtuins, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARPs), calcium signaling, and drugs and nutritional interventions that interface with the fundamental and translational science of NAD+ (e.g., aging, metabolism, cancer), this conference is the only one that cuts across all of these areas. The strength and innovation of this meeting is that it provides a unique venue for cross-disciplinary interactions among NAD+ biologists from diverse areas, who use a wide variety of approaches and model systems. This conference will (1) bring together leading scientists working on NAD+ metabolism and signaling, (2) create networking and career opportunities for early-stage investigators, (3) train the next generation of scientists, and (4) promote the improvement of human health as it pertains to NAD+ metabolism and signaling. The major goals of this conference are to: (1) share the most current information on NAD+ metabolism and signaling, (2) foster new interactions among scientists who do not normally interact to promote interdisciplinary interactions and collaborations, (3) provide career and training opportunities for early-stage investigators and trainees through interactions with leaders in the field, and (4) facilitate translational research leading to improvements in healthy aging and other aspects of human health. We expect that new insights from this meeting will advance the entire field and lead to a greater evidence-based understanding of NAD+ metabolism in healthy people, as well as in individuals affected by diseases of aging. The objective of this proposal is to obtain funds to support conference fees for outstanding junior investigators, as well as those who are underrepresented in science. To meet these goals and objective, we propose three specific aims: (1) finalize the scientific program by selecting individuals from the submitted abstracts to present short talks that will complement other talks presented at the meeting; (2) identify early-stage scientists and trainees who will receive financial support, and (3) provide administrative support to distribute the funds from this R13 mechanism. The organizing committee comprises four members (Drs. Kraus, Mostoslavsky, Gorbunova, and Guse), who were nominated by the 2019 FASEB NAD+ Metabolism and Signaling conference organizers and voted on by the participants at that meeting. Each member is an expert in one or more of the topics that will be covered during the course of the meeting. The organizers have relied on their diverse backgrounds and broad range of expertise to organize a comprehensive meeting covering all major areas of NAD+ metabolism and signaling research. New and exciting ideas will undoubtedly emerge from such diverse, but ultimately unifying topics.
NAD+ metabolism and signaling is a core component of all facets of human biology. It plays a key role in healthy aging, metabolic functions, cancer and other diseases of aging. To disseminate the most recent and impactful results in the field, and train the next generation of basic scientists and clinicians, the Federation of American Societies of Experimental Biology (FASEB) sponsors a biennial conference on ?NAD+ Metabolism and Signaling.? With this R13 application, we seek funding to enable highly meritorious early-stage scientists and trainees, especially those from underrepresented groups, to attend this meeting. Because NAD+-dependent processes mediate key aspects of healthy aging and metabolic disorders, support for this meeting will advance the mission of the National Institute on Aging.
