The sixth bi-annual Gordon Research Conference on Antimicrobial Peptides (AMPs) (termed also hostdefense? or antimicrobial peptides) will meet in Il Ciocco, from April 29 ? May 4, 2007. AMPs are? endogenous gene-encoded peptide antibiotics known as evolutionarily old components of innate immunity? of metazoans including invertebrates, plants, vertebrates, and mammals, including humans. They act by? prohibiting invasion and killing occasional and obligate pathogens. The emergence of antibiotic-resistant? microorganisms underscores the need to study AMPs. Evidence shows that AMPs mediate innate host? defense in a variety of biological settings. In addition to AMP microbicidal action by membrane disruptive? mechanisms, studies show that certain mammalian AMPs also have receptor-mediated inflammation-associated? activities, supporting the hypothesis that AMPs are multifunctional host defense effector? molecules. Knowledge of the roles of AMPs in innate immune responses will contribute to improved? understanding of the pathophysiology of human diseases, including cystic fibrosis, sexually transmitted and? opportunistic infections, periodontitis, inflammatory bowel disease, and others. The conference will focus on? this relatively young, rapidly expanding multidisciplinary field of study. The program will be divided into 9? sessions of oral presentations and two poster sessions. All participants will be urged to present in one of? these formats. The oral presentations will include keynote addresses by Professors Jules A. Hoffmann and? Tomas Ganz, 7 oral sessions (20 min lecture + 10 min discussion), and 12 short talks selected from key? posters, with attention to include junior and student participants. A short oral presentation will be presented? by the recipient of a newly-established Career Achievement Award. The themes of the oral sessions are:? Recognition of Bacteria and Regulation of AMP, Evolution of innate immunity, Non-Antimicrobial Functions? of AMPs, Synthetic Antimicrobial Peptides and Mimetics, Host-Pathogen Interaction at Epithelial Surfaces,? Pathogenesis and Microbial Resistance, Mode of Action of AMPs, and Moving AMPs From Bench to? Application. Ample time for organized discussion and informal interactions between participants has been? included. In addition, one session, """"""""Hot Corner and Late Breaking News"""""""" will be devoted to discussing? topics at the cutting edge of current investigation. The organizational philosophy is to encourage diverse? participation, and maintain an eye towards gender issues, junior scientists, minorities, and individuals with? physical limitations.
| Huang, Ling C; Reins, Rose Y; Gallo, Richard L et al. (2007) Cathelicidin-deficient (Cnlp -/- ) mice show increased susceptibility to Pseudomonas aeruginosa keratitis. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 48:4498-508 |
