Description: The conference will focus on recent advances in pigment cell biology interfacing with other areas of research including neurobiology, endocrinology, immunology, photobiology and cancer research. The program will represent a unique blend of basic, translational and clinical science. It is expected that new avenues in pigment cells research will be discussed and future directions proposed to place this field on the forefront of basic and life sciences.

Audience: Dermatologists, pathologists, basic science researchers from both academic and industrial backgrounds, residents, students interested in current problems of pigment cell research.

CME Accreditation: Methodist Healthcare accredited by the ACCME designates this educational activity for a maximum of 26 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits.  Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation .

For online registration see http://www.paspcr2009.org

 Program:

Friday, September 4

 
12:00—7:00 PM Registration

1:00—1:10 PM Official opening of the Meeting
by Andrzej Slominski and short introduction by Barrett Haik on behalf of the local Organizing Committee

1:10—1:30 PM Presidential Address
by Frank Meyskens, MD, President of the PASPCR
 
  Session 1: Biochemistry, Chemistry and Biophysics of Melanin Pigmentation
 
1:30—3:00 PM Selected abstract presentations
Chaired by John Pawelek, PhD (Yale University), Gertrude-Emilia Costin, PhD (Institute for In Vitro Sciences), Vincent Hearing, PhD (National Institutes of Health)

3:00—3:45 PM Keynote lecture 1: Dr. Sergei Grando, MD, PhD (University of California Irvine)
Title: Cutaneous cholinergic system: Lessons for skin pigmentary system

3:45—4:00 PM Coffee/tea break
 
  Session 2: Cell Biology of Melanin Synthesis
 
4:00—5:45 PM Selected abstract presentations
Chaired by Zalfa Abdel Malek, PhD (University of Cincinnati), Ana Luisa Kadekaro, PhD (University of Cincinnati), Marjan Huizing, PhD (National Institutes of Health)

5:45—6:00 PM Coffee/tea break

6:00—6:45 PM Keynote lecture 2: Michael F. Holick, MD, PhD (Boston University)
Title: Shining Light on Skin Pigment, Vitamin D and Health

 
7:00—10:00 PM Cocktail party at Dr. Charles Handorf's residence

 
 
Saturday, September 5

 
8:00—5:00 PM Registration

8:00—8:45 AM Keynote lecture 3: Lawrence Pfeffer, PhD (University of Tennessee)
Title: NF-kB signaling: implications for skin cancer

8:45—9:00 AM Coffee/tea break

  Session 3: Malignant Transformation of the Melanocyte and Melanoma Progression

9:00—11:00 AM Selected abstract presentations
Chaired by James Grichnik, MD (Duke University), Sancy Leachman, MD (University of Utah), John Pawelek, PhD (Yale University)

11:00—11:45 AM Keynote lecture 4: Michael Kastan, MD, PhD (St. Jude Hospital)
Title: DNA Damage Responses: From Molecular Mechanisms to Clinical Interventions

11:45—1:00 PM Lunch/ Poster viewing

 
  Session 4: Cell Surface and Nuclear Receptors and Their Ligands: Regulation of Melanocyte/Melanoma Behavior

1:00—2:30 PM Selected abstract presentations
Chaired by Prashiela Manga, PhD (New York University), Andrzej Slominski, MD, PhD (University of Tennessee Health Science Center), Zalfa Abdel-Malek, PhD (University of Cincinnati)

2:30—2:45 PM Coffee/tea break
 
2:45—3:30 PM Keynote lecture 5: Ralf Paus, MD (University of Lubeck)
Title: Neuroendocrinology of the Hair Follicle

 
  Session 5: Melanocyte Maturation/Differentiation: Developmental and Cellular Biology
 
3:30—5:00 PM Selected abstract presentations
Chaired by Tom Hornyak, MD, PhD (National Institutes of Health), Youwen Zhou, PhD (Skin Care Center, Canada), Lidia Kos, PhD (Florida International University)

5:00—5:15 PM Coffee/tea break

5:15—6:00 PM Aaron B Lerner lecture: Michael S. Marks, Ph.D. (University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine)
title to be announced 
 

7:00—11:00 PM Free time Suggested visit to Beale Street in walking distance from the hotel
 
 
 
Sunday, September 6
 
8:00—5:00 PM Registration
 
8:00—8:45 AM Keynote lecture 6: Jack Arbiser, MD, PhD (Emory University)
Title: Oxidative Stress, Melanocytes and Melanoma

8:45—9:00 AM Coffee/tea break
 
  Session 6: Oxidative Responses in Melanocytes and Melanoma Cells
 
9:00—11:00 AM Selected abstract presentations
Chaired by Frank Meyskens, MD (University of California Irvine)

11:00—11:15 AM Coffee/tea break

11:15—12.00 PM Keynote lecture 7: Russel J. Reiter, Ph.D., Dr.h.c.mult. (University of Texas, San Antonio)
Title: Melatonin and Its Metabolites As Anti-Oxidants: Implications for Pigment Cell Biology

12.00—12:30 PM Business Meeting

12:30—1:30 PM Lunch/ Poster viewing
 
  Session 7: Solar Radiation and the Pigmentary System: Securing the Place Under the Sun

1:30—3:30 PM Selected abstract presentations
Chaired by Andrzej Slominski, MD, PhD (University of Tennessee Health Science Center), Miri Seibeg, PhD (Johnson & Johnson)

3:30—4.15 PM Keynote lecture 8: Edwin Blalock, PhD (University of Alabama)
Title: The Immune System as a Sensory Organ

4:15—5:45 PM Posters Discussion with Coffee and Tea
Moderators: Youwen Zhou, PhD (Skin Care Center, Canada), Gertrude-Emilia Costin, PhD (Institute for In Vitro Sciences), Vijayasaradhi Setaluri, PhD (University of Wisconsin)

 
7:00 PM Gala Dinner
 
 
 
Monday, September 7

 
8:00—1:00 PM Registration
 
8:00—8:45 AM Keynote lecture 9: Gregory Barsh, MD, PhD (Stanford University)
Title: Novel Regulators of Melanin Pigmentation

8:45—9:00 AM Coffee/tea break
 
  Session 8: Pigmentary Disorders: Genetics, Etiology, Pathology and Therapy

9:00—11:30 AM Selected abstract presentations
Chaired by Caroline Le Poole, PhD (Loyola University), Richard Spritz, MD (University of Colorado), Raymond Boissy, PhD (University of Cincinnati)

11:30—12:15 PM Keynote lecture 10: Andrzej Slominski, MD, PhD (University of Tennessee Health Science Center)
Title: Neuroendocrinology of the Melanin Pigmentary System

12:15—1:30 PM Lunch