Proper expression, folding, transport, and clearance of proteins are critical for cell function and organismal health. Chaperones and enzymes that post-translationally assist newly synthesized proteins help ensure that they are correctly folded and functional, or are degraded. Translocation machineries, proteasomes, and autophagic activities are critical for subcellular localization and for degradation as necessary. Stress and aging challenge the robustness of these chaperone and clearance networks leading to protein mismanagement, overload, and cellular dysfunction. In humans, this is associated with the accumulation and aggregation of misfolded and aggregation-prone proteins, a feature of numerous neurodegenerative, metabolic, and oncogenic diseases.  

You are invited to participate in the 2016 meeting on Protein Homeostasis in Health & Disease, marking the 25th anniversary of the first Cold Spring Harbor meeting in 1991 related to heat shock and the role of molecular chaperones. Over the past twenty-five years, the field has exploded and much groundbreaking work - on molecular chaperones, the unfolded protein response, stress responses, and how these processes are implicated in disease - has first been presented at this meeting. This year's meeting provides an opportunity to showcase the latest research in this area and to feature several keynote talks by leading investigators who have contributed to the development of the field and who will put their current efforts in the context of past developments.

The meeting will begin after dinner at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, April 18, and conclude with lunch on Friday, April 22, 2016.

The format of the meeting will include eight sessions consisting of invited and short talks, chosen from the submitted abstracts, and two poster sessions. All speakers and chairs are strongly encouraged to stay for the entire meeting. The organizers will decide the suitability of each abstract for oral or poster presentation, but please specify if you prefer a poster.

Abstracts should contain only new and unpublished material and must be submitted electronically by the abstract deadline. Selection of material for oral and poster presentation will be made by the organizers and individual session chairs. Status (talk/poster) of abstracts will be posted on our web site as soon as decisions have been made by the organizers.

We are eager to have as many young people as possible attend since they are likely to benefit most from this meeting. We have applied for funds from government and industry to partially support graduate students and postdocs. Apply in writing to Val Pakaluk stating need for financial support - preference is given to those submitting abstracts.

We hope to see you at Cold Spring Harbor in April.

Regular packages are all-inclusive and cover registration, food, housing, parking, a wine-and-cheese party, cocktail reception, and lobster banquet. No-Housing packages include all costs except housing. Full payment is due four weeks prior to the meeting.