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The RIKEN Center for Developmental Biology (CDB) was established in April 2000 in Kobe, Japan to promote research into the fundamental mechanisms of animal development and regeneration. To keep pace with advances and identify future directions in these rapidly evolving fields in 2003 the CDB inaugurated a program of annual symposia covering diverse aspects of developmental biology and regeneration, and aimed at promoting the free and timely exchange of research achievements.
The 2008 symposium is entitled “Shape and Polarity”.
Cells which make up our body often display polarization by distributing proteins, RNA and organelles unevenly within the cells, allowing them to acquire unique cell shapes and diverse functions. For example, cell polarity is known to be indispensable, in cell movement and epithelial cell function. In addition, polarized dividing cells distribute proteins and other factors disproportionately between daughter cells, resulting in the formation of cells with different fates. Spatial regulation of polarity also induces cells or cell clusters to reorganize, and as this dynamic process progresses, cell populations take on forms of different tissues and organs and finally, an individual body. Cell polarity is a fundamental element in development and homeostasis, and revealing the mechanisms behind cell polarity and its functions will, undoubtedly, lead to a greater understanding of many life phenomena.
In this symposium we explore:
- how cells polarize
- the role of polarity in cells
- how polarization is coordinated within cells
- how cell populations become organized into tissue and organs by rearrangement of polarized cells
We encourage the submission of abstracts from scientists, increasing the opportunity for lively and informative exchange of views. In addition to the invited speakers, a number of poster submissions will be selected for short talks giving a forum for presenting the latest and most exciting research. A limited number of travel fellowships aimed at graduate students and post-docs traveling to Japan are available. Owing to the size of the venue, the number of participants will be limited to approximately 120 persons.
We look forward to welcoming you to the RIKEN Center for Developmental Biology, Kobe, Japan.
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