International Retroviral Symposium: Assembly, Maturation and Uncoating

University Of Utah, Salt Lake City UT

Investigators

Abstract

ABSTRACT During the past decades, the International Retroviral Symposium has focused on identifying key interactions essential for viral assembly and maturation with a particular focus on the nucleocapsid protein and its role. The last meeting of the international retroviral symposium was held in Boston at 2019 where we emphasized the role of NC/Gag in assembly highlighting what has been significant progress in this exciting area. In the 12th International Retroviral Symposium (IRS), we aim to expand the conference focus to include uncoating, and more broadly identify molecular interactions that connect various stages of assembly, maturation and uncoating. The conference has traditionally attracted a group of approximately 100 participants from around the globe. In the 12th IRS, we expect a slightly larger pool of participants, approximately 150, based on the broader focus of the symposium and the long period of time since the 11th symposium held in August 2019. Snowbird Utah provides an idyllic location due to its secluded nature and excellent conference support facility, which maximizes participant engagement. The goal of the 12th IRS is to provide a forum and facilitate identification of fundamental biophysical, biochemical, and virological principles governing retroviruses. These principles will in turn guide development of new antivirals, potent lentiviral systems, and better understanding of the role of retroviruses in human disease, all of which are within the focus of NIH. Our invited speakers are a mix of more junior and established principal investigators, represent countries with active retroviral research and include a significant number of female researchers. The majority of NIH funding will be used to broaden the participation of younger and less represented researchers within the symposium. NIH support is critical for training the next generation as well as injecting new ideas into the field. Conference website: https://ramm2023.utah.edu/