1st International Symposium on Stress-Associated RNA Granules in Human Disease and Viral Infection

The field of RNA granule biology and how it impacts human disease is developing at a rapid pace. RNA granules are structures that manage the efficiency of gene expression in cells. When cells sense different kinds of stress (e.g. environmental stress or the stress of viral infection), RNA granules help to pause and reprogram cellular gene expression, so the cell can survive the stressful event. Thus, RNA granules play important roles in maintaining a healthy cell. It is becoming increasingly appreciated that defects in RNA granule formation and function are a feature of many human diseases. Because of this, we are initiating an international symposium to bring together leaders in the field of RNA granule biology as it relates to human disease. The symposium will take place on the campus of Dalhousie University in downtown Halifax, Nova Scotia, from June 9th to June 11th 2014 and will involve a minimum of 60 participants as well as pharmaceutical companies. This is the first symposium of its kind, and the goal of the organizing committee is to generate new knowledge in this emerging area of research and foster new collaborations.