Oxidation-reduction (redox) reactions are responsible for the transfer of electrons among molecules and are crucial for life processes such as energy production, cellular signaling and the regulation of cellular stress. Central to understanding redox biology are molecules like reactive oxygen species (ROS), nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD), and glutathione (GSH), which play significant roles in maintaining cellular health and contribute to disease pathogenesis. ROS are chemically reactive molecules containing oxygen, produced naturally within biological systems. They regulate a variety of cellular functions, including signal transduction, immune responses, and cellular homeostasis. However, an excessive accumulation of ROS leads to oxidative stress, which can damage cells and tissues by oxidizing lipids, proteins, and DNA. Counterbalancing the detrimental effects of ROS, the body utilizes several antioxidant mechanisms that, when deregulated, are linked to various oxidative-stress associated conditions such as neurodegenerative disease, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer and the general process of aging. 

The meeting will focus on advances in our understanding the intricate roles and interactions of ROS, NAD, and GSH within the framework of redox biology, not only highlighting their importance in health and disease but also underscoring the potential of therapeutic interventions that aim to balance these crucial molecules. Such strategies hold the promise of preventing and treating a diverse array of diseases, particularly those associated with aging and oxidative stress.

Key Sessions

• Understand the generation, biological roles and dual nature of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cellular signaling, gene expression and cell death.
• Examine the protective mechanisms of antioxidants such as glutathione (GSH) in maintaining cellular redox homeostasis and preventing oxidative damage.
• Determine the biosynthesis and function of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) in ATP production, DNA repair and stress responses. 
• Explore the contribution and therapeutic potential of oxidative stress to diseases like cancer and neurodegenerative disorders.
• Assess strategies for enhancing NAD to treat age-associated diseases.
• Mitochondria dysfunction.

Confirmed Invited Speakers

Liron Bar-Peled (Massachusetts General Hospital)
IDENTIFICATION OF DRUGGABLE AND REDOX VULNERABILITIES
Issam Ben-Sahra (Northwestern University)
INFLUENCE OF DIET-DERIVED MOLECULES ON NUCLEOTIDE AND REDOX METABOLISM
Donita Brady (University of Pennsylvania)
CRACKING COPPER: UNVEILING REDOX SIGNALING AND TOXICITY MECHANISMS
Ed Chouchani (Dana-Farber Cancer Institute)
MECHANISMS OF REDOX CONTROL OF PROTEIN FUNCTION
Lydia Finley (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center)
CELL STATE DEPENDENT REDOX CHALLENGES
Gerta Hoxhaj (University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center)
THE PHYSIOLOGICAL ROLES OF NADPH REDOX COFACTORS
Isha Jain (Gladstone Institutes)
TURNING THE OXYGEN AND VITAMIN DIALS
Yvonne Janssen-Heininger (University of Vermont)
GLUTATHIONE-DEPENDENT PROTEIN OXIDATION AND LUNG STEM CELL FUNCTION
Randall Johnson (Karolinska Institutet)
EXERCISE AND OXYGEN: METABOLITES AS MEDIATORS OF ADAPTATION
Naama Kanarek (Boston Children's Hospital)
ONE-CARBON METABOLISM SUSTAINS EFFECTOR T CELL FUNCTION 
Thales Papagiannakopoulos (NYU Langone)
REDOX MECHANISMS OF DISEASE PROGRESSION IN LUNG CANCER
Jared Rutter (University of Utah)
METABOLITE SIGNALING AND REDOX HOMEOSTASIS
David Sabatini (IOCB Boston & Prague)
NEW APPROACHES TO STUDY ORGANELLAR METABOLISM
Poul Sorensen (UBC)
METABOLIC ADAPTATION TO GLUTATHIONE DEPRIVATION DRIVES OXIDATIVE STRESS RESISTANCE IN SARCOMA CELLS
Ramon Sun (University of Florida)
EXPERIMENTAL AND EPIDEMIOLOGICAL EVIDENCE SUPPORTING THE GLYCAN HYPOTHESIS IN ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE 
Lloyd Trotman (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)
NUTRIENTS AS TARGETED MEDICINE - CAN PRO-OXIDANTS CURE?
Matthew Vander Heiden (MIT)
INFLUENCE OF THE NUTRIENT ENVIRONMENT ON CANCER METABOLISM
Mariia Yuneva (Calico Life Sciences)
IDENTIFYING THE ROLE OF METABOLISM IN CANCER AND AGING

Target Audience

This conference will appeal to scientists and clinicians interested in basic biology of redox as well as how antioxidants and NAD+ supplements confer positive effects on healthy living and longevity.

Educational Need

This conference will provide a solid foundation in the basic principles of redox biology. It will cover the chemistry of oxidation-reduction reactions, the types of molecules involved, such as reactive oxygen species (ROS), NAD, and glutathione (GSH), and their roles in cellular physiology.

Additionally, the conference will offer updates on the latest research and developments in the field. This includes recent discoveries about the role of redox processes in cellular signaling, immune responses, and the pathogenesis of diseases like cancer.

Finally, there will be discussions on the clinical applications and therapeutics related to redox biology. Topics will include the links between oxidative stress, NAD, and diseases such as Parkinson's and cancer.

Key Words

Redox biology, ROS, NAD, GSH, aging, oxidative stress, physiology, pathology, antioxidants, mitochondria, metabolism, mitochondria dysfunction, cancer, metabolic signaling.

Unfortunately, all current ECR grants have been awarded. However, we hope to release additional grants later following fundraising efforts. If you are interested in future opportunities, feel free to sign up for updates about the conference to be kept informed should further grants be released. Or, you are welcome to send in an application in advance, to be considered in the first instance should additional grants be released.