Protein  stability and pathways of self-assembly

Istituto Veneto di Scienze, Lettere ed Arti
Palazzo Franchetti
Venice, Campo S. Stefano
January 24-28, 2011

SCHOOL OVERVIEW AND PROGRAM
Thermodynamic and conformational stability of proteins in solution is a main issue in many fields: pathological protein deposition in neurodegenerative diseases, industrial separation processes by salt-induced precipitation,
pharmaceutical formulation, protein crystallization, or protein gelation (which is relevant, e.g., in the food industry).
In this context, the study of common pathways leading to different biologically relevant structures (crystals, fibrils, amorphous aggregates) has a pivotal importance.
The control and design of a specific morphology require a detailed knowledge of the molecular interactions and the basic mechanisms involved in aggregation.
The school will address this theme by covering several subjects from the physical chemistry of biomolecular solution to the mechanism of protein self-assembly and the strategies for a rational drug design, which enhances protein stability without affecting protein activity and function.
The school focuses on contemporary biophysical topics.
The selected subjects will draw young researchers' attention to frontier research issues of considerable scientific and educational impact.
The School will be held in the magnificent Palazzo Franchetti, the seat of the Istituto Veneto located in the historical centre of Venice.
In 2011, the subject of the school is Protein Stability and Pathways of Self Assembly covering the following topics:
1. Protein folding and conformational stability
2. Cold denaturation
3. Protein stability in crowded environments
4. Thermodynamics of protein solutions
5. Protein interactions and phase transitions
6. Mechanisms of protein self-assembly
7. Misfolding and aggregation
8. Conformational diseases

Lecturers:
Fabrizio Chiti, Università degli Studi di Firenze (Italy)
Ernesto Freire, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD (USA)
Stefano Gianni, Università di Roma "La Sapienza", Roma (Italy)
Richard Goldstein, National Institute for Medical Research, London (UK)
Abraham M. Lenhoff, University of Delaware, Newark, DE (USA)
Davi d A. Lomas, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, Cambridge (UK)
Vincenzo Martorana, Istituto di Biofisica, Palermo (Italy)
Annalisa Pastore, National Institute for Medical Research, London (UK)
Christian Rischel, Protein Structure and Biophysics, Copenhagen (Denmark)
Christopher J. Roberts, University of Delaware, Newark, DE (USA)
Pierandrea Temussi, Università di Napoli "Federico II" (Italy)
Guido Tiana, Università degli Studi di Milano (Italy)
Bente Vestegaard, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Copenhagen (Denmark)
Roland Winter, Technische Universität Dortmund (Germany)
Emanuela Zaccarelli , Università di Roma "La Sapienza", (Italy)

REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Applications are encouraged from young scientists (PhD students and postdocs) interested in the topics of the school.
A poster session will be held for students to present their activity (the presentation of a poster is not mandatory).
Participation fee:
300 euros (includes five nights accommodation and
lectures);
150 euros (includes only lectures and not accommodation);
A maximum of 30 participants are admitted to the school by the Scientific Committee based on the information provided in the application. The results of the selection will be communicated by email (or phone).
If admitted, payment must be transferred within two weeks of the notification of admission.
The deadline for registration is November 15, 2010.
Application process:
Send an email to the Scientific Committee at:
venice2011@pa.ibf.cnr.it
In the subject field, write your full name.
In the mail, please provide:
1. contact information (name, affiliation, address, email, and phone number);
2. current position;
3. name of reference person (e.g. supervisor);
4. preliminary poster title (not mandatory);
5. short CV (maximum one A4 page; text and pdf files are admitted).
Further information is available through the scientific coordinator or the director of the school.
The program of the School is published on our web site
http://www.istitutoveneto.it/biofisica
Tel. +39 041 24.07.711 - Fax +39 041 52.10.598

SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE
Christian Andersen
Novo Nordisk, Copenhagen
cbya@novonordisk.com
Rita Carrotta
CNR, Istituto di Biofisica, Palermo
rita.carrotta@pa.ibf.cnr.it
Rosina Noto
CNR, Istituto di Biofisica, Palermo
rosina.noto@pa.ibf.cnr.it

SCIENTIFIC COORDINATOR
Mauro Manno
Istituto di Biofisica,
Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche
Via U. La Malfa, 153 - 90146 Palermo (Italy)
Phone +39 091 68.09.305
Fax +39 091 68.09.349
E-mail: mauro.manno@pa.ibf.cnr.it
Director of the School
Giorgi o M. Gia cometti
Istituto Veneto di Scienze Lettere ed Arti,
Dip. di Biologia, Università di Padova
Viale G. Colombo, 3 - 35131 Padova (Italy)
Phone +39 049 82.76.326
Fax +39 049 82.76.300
E-mail: gcometti@bio.unipd.it