Second World Congress on Water Channel Proteins (Aquaporins and Relatives) Celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the Discovery of the First Water Channel Protein (Later Called Aquaporin1) Cluj-Napoca, Romania, May 6-10, 2015
The first water channel protein (WCP) was discovered in the 1980s during studies of the human red blood cell membrane. In the 1990s it became obvious that WCPs constitute a large family of membrane proteins that are present in all kingdoms of life: plants, microorganisms (archaea, bacteria, yeast, and protozoa), and animals including humans. WCPs exist in three subfamilies: (1) aquaporins (AQPs) that are mainly water channels; (2) aquaglyceroporins (and glycerol facilitators) that convey water and/or other small molecules across membranes; and (3) S-aquaporins “superaquaporins” or subcellular AQPs. WCPs (over 450 members) belong to the superfamily of major intrinsic proteins (MIPs, over 800 members). The atomic structures of some MIPs have been determined and common structure–function relationships are expressed in microorganisms, plants, multicellular species and humans. The physiological roles of WCPs, and some of their involvement in diseases, are known; thus in the past 30 years WCPs have become a “hot” area of research in biochemistry and molecular cell biology, with wide and increasing implications for human health. In fact, a new domain of natural and biomedical sciences was born, domain which was called aquaporinology (Benga, 2013).
In 2011 The First World Congress on Water Channel Proteins (Aquaporins and Relatives) celebrating the 25th anniversary of the discovery of the first water channel protein (later called Aquaporin 1) was held in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, October 27-29, 2011. It was attended by hundreds of scientists and students, and was unanimously appreciated as a great success.
Since the progress of knowledge in this new field is taking place at such a fast rate, we invite all scholars working in the field, or those interested in the general topic of WCPs, to become valued participants in the Second World Congress dedicated to all scientific aspects of WCPs, that will take place in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, May 6-10, 2015.
PRESIDENT OF THE WORLD CONGRESS:
GHEORGHE BENGA
Member, Romanian Academy, Academy of Medical Sciences of Romania,
President, Cluj Branch of the Romanian Committee for the History and
Philosophy of Science of the Romanian Academy
President, The GHEORGHE BENGA FOUNDATION
President, The OUTNOBEL FOUNDATION
Professor, “Vasile Goldiş” Western University of Arad, Romania
Affiliate, University of Sydney, Australia
E-mail: gbgbenga@gmail.com
Scientific secretaries:
Ciprian Valentin Mihali (Lecturer | Experienced Researcher, The Institute of Life Sciences: Electron Microscopy Facility, “Vasile Goldiş” Western University of Arad
Ciprian Pribac (Senior Lecturer, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology,
“Vasile Goldiş” Western University of Arad)
INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY BOARD AND CONFIRMED PLENARY LECTURERS (Alphabetically ordered):
François Chaumont (Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium)
Andreas Eckhard (Tübingen, Germany)
Hefeng Huang (Hangzhou, P.R. China)
Kenichi Ishibashi (Tokyo, Japan)
Bhanu Jena (Detroit, USA)
Umberto Laforenza (Pavia, Italy)
Andreas F. Mack (Tübingen, Germany)
Toshiyuki Matsuzaki (Gunma, Japan)
Tsutomu Nakada (Niigata, Japan)
Richard Neutze (Gothenburg, Sweden)
Soren Nielsen (Aarhus, Denmark)
Peter Pohl (Linz, Austria)
Sei Sasaki (Tokyo, Japan)
Alexandru Tătaru (Cluj-Napoca, Romania)
Andrea Yool (Adelaide, Australia)
ROMANIAN SCIENTIFIC AND ORGANIZING COMMITTEE
(In alphabetical order)
Aurel Ardelean (President and Founding Rector, “Vasile Goldiş” Western University of Arad)
Leonard Azamfirei (Rector, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Târgu Mureş)
Ioan Bolovan (Professor and Vice-Rector, “Babeş-Bolyai” University, Cluj-Napoca)
Angela Borda (Vice-Rector, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Târgu Mureş)
Olivia Burta (Director, Center of High Performance Medical Research, University of Oradea)
Emil Burzo (President, Cluj-Napoca Branch of The Romanian Academy)
Vasile Cândea (President, Academy of Romanian Scientists)
Cristiana Ciortea (Senior physician, M.D., Ph.D., Cluj County Clinical Emergency Hospital)
Mihail Coculescu (Honorary President, Romanian Society for Neuro Psycho Endocrinology)
Coralia Cotoraci (Rector, “Vasile Goldiş” Western University of Arad)
Anda Curta (Director, Regional Center of Public Health, Cluj-Napoca)
Mircea Ifrim (Secretary General, Academy of Medical Sciences of Romania)
Vasile Jucan (Rector, “Gheorghe Dima” Academy of Music, Cluj-Napoca)
Anca Hermenean (Vice-Rector, “Vasile Goldiş” Western University of Arad)
Pompiliu Manea (Secretary, Cluj – Napoca Branch of the Romanian Committee for the History and Philosophy of Science of the Romanian Academy)
Liana Moş (Dean, Faculty of Medicine, “Vasile Goldiş” Western University of Arad)
Nicoleta Muntean (Researcher, Regional Center of Public Health, Cluj-Napoca)
Doru Pamfil (Rector, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary
Medicine, Cluj-Napoca)
Zoltan Pavai (Professor, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Târgu Mureş)
Ioan-Aurel Pop (Rector, “Babeş-Bolyai” University, Cluj-Napoca)
Ioan Victor Pop (Professor, “Iuliu Haţieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy,
Cluj-Napoca
Irinel Popescu (President, Academy of Medical Sciences of Romania)
Octavian Popescu (Director, Institute of Biology, Romanian Academy, Bucharest)
Doru Radosav (Director, “Lucian Blaga” University Library Cluj-Napoca)
Marius Raica (Rector, “Victor Babeş” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timişoara)
Mircea Trifu (Director, Casa Cărţii de Ştiinţă, Cluj-Napoca)
Doina Verdeş (Professor, “Victor Babeş” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timişoara)
Victor Voicu (Secretary General of The Romanian Academy, Bucharest)
The Second World Congress is organized under the Auspices of:
IFCC WASPaLM EFLM
Romanian Academy
Academy of Romanian Scientists
“Gheorghe Ionescu-Sisesti”Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences
Cluj City Council
Cluj City Hall
The Second World Congress is organized by:
The GHEORGHE BENGA FOUNDATION
In collaboration with:
MAIN PARTNERS (in alphabetical order):
Academy of Medical Sciences of Romania
“Babeş-Bolyai” University Cluj-Napoca
“Gheorghe Dima” Music Academy Cluj-Napoca
University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca
University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Târgu Mureş
“Vasile Goldiş” Western University Arad
“Victor Babeş” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timişoara
OTHER PARTNERS (in alphabetical order):
Academy of Romanian Scientists – Cluj Branch
Balkan Clinical Laboratory Federation
Casa Cărţii de Ştiinţă, Cluj-Napoca
Romanian Academy – Cluj Branch
SECRETARIAT AND MANAGEMENT OF SERVICES:
Wens Tour:
Phone: +4 0264 590 749; Fax: +4 0264 595 755;
E-mail: aquaporin@wens.ro;
PRELIMINARY PROGRAM
Wednesday May 6, 2015: 17:00 – 19:30 Opening Ceremony, Opening Lecture, Concert
20:00 – 22:00 Welcome Cocktail
Thursday May 7, 2015: 8:00 – 19:00 Registration
09:00 – 11:00 Plenary Lectures and Scientific Sessions
11:00 – 11:30 Coffee Break
11:30 – 13:30 Plenary Lectures and Scientific Sessions
13:30 – 15:00 Poster Discussions (and Snack Break)
15:00 – 17:00 Plenary Lectures and Scientific Sessions
17:00 – 18:00 Coffee Break and Poster Discussions
18:00 – 20:00 Plenary Lectures and Scientific Sessions
20:30 – 22:30 Gala Dinner
Friday May 8, 2015: 8:00 – 17:00 Registration
09:00 – 11:00 Plenary Lectures and Scientific Sessions
11:00 – 11:30 Coffee Break
11:30 – 13:30 Plenary Lectures and Scientific Sessions
13:30 – 15:00 Poster Discussions (and Snack Break)
15:00 – 17:00 Plenary Lectures and Scientific Sessions
17:00 – Closing Ceremony, Award of Certificates of Attendance
19:00 – Concert of “Transylvania State Philarmonic Cluj-Napoca” dedicated to the
World Congress Participants
Saturday May 9: Full Day Tour of Cluj-Napoca (with lunch)
Sunday May 10: Full Day Excursion (with lunch) to famous tourist sites in Transylvania: Turda salt mines (Salina), Alba Iulia (Roman ruins, Cathedrals, Museums, Citadel)
CONFIRMED PLENARY KEY-NOTE LECTURES
François Chaumont (Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium): New insights into plant aquaporin function and regulation
Andreas Eckhard (Tübingen, Germany): Water channel-based regulation of inner ear fluids
Hefeng Huang (Hangzhou, P.R. China): Water channels in reproductive system
Kenichi Ishibashi (Tokyo, Japan): What will be the role of intracellular aquaporins?
Bhanu Jena (Detroit, USA): Role of water channel in porosome-mediated secretion in cells
Umberto Laforenza, Cinzia Bottino, Giulia Gastaldi (Pavia, Italy): Aquaglyceroporins and adipose tissue
Andreas F. Mack (Tübingen, Germany): Aquaporin-4 in astroglial cells – a phylogenetic perspective
Toshiyuki Matsuzaki (Gunma, Japan): Tissue distribution of water channel proteins (aquaporins and relatives)
Tsutomu Nakada (Niigata, Japan): Aquaporin-4: the key to preventing Alzheimer’s disease
Richard Neutze (Gothenburg, Sweden): Insights from high resolution X-ray structures of eukaryotic aquaporins
Søren Nielsen (Aalborg, Denmark): Roles of renal aquaporins, aquaglyceroporins and pharmaceutical exploitation
Peter Pohl (Linz, Austria): Determinants of the unitary water channel permeability
Sei Sasaki (Tokyo, Japan): Cross-talk between bed and bench of AQP2
Alexandru Tătaru (Cluj-Napoca, Romania): Applications of the discovery of water channel proteins (aquaporins and relatives) in dermatology
Andrea Yool (Adelaide, Australia): Novel blockers of Aquaporin-1 ion channels for the treatment of cancer
TOPICS PROPOSED FOR SCIENTIFIC SESSIONS
Major Intrinsic Protein (MIP) Superfamily: Water Channel Proteins, Glycerol Facilitators
Classification and Phylogenetic Analyses of MIP Channels
Superaquaporins, Subcellular Aquaporins
Developmental Patterns of Expression of Water Channel Proteins
Methods/Techniques in Studying Water Channel Proteins
Molecular Structures of Water Channel Proteins: – Insights from Crystal Structure, MRI and Ultrastructural Analyses
Biophysical Characterization of Water Channels
Roles of Water Channel Proteins in the Transport of Substrates other than Water
Water Channel Proteins in Reconstituted Systems
Water Channel Inhibitors
Water Channel Proteins as Targets for Drugs in Various Cells and Diseases
Intracellular Messenger Modulation of Plant and Animal Water Channel Proteins
Plant Water Channel Proteins and Their Roles in: – Tissue Hydraulics; – Regulation under Environmental Stresses; – Carbon and Nutrient Assimilation
Bacterial Water Channel Proteins
Protozoan Water Channel Proteins
Insect and Invertebrate Water Channel Proteins
Water Channel Proteins in Aquatic Vertebrates, Amphibians, Reptiles, Birds, Mammalians
Water Channel Proteins and Cell Movements
Water Channel Proteins and Cancer
Water Channel Proteins and Nervous System: Physiology and Pathology
Gastro-intestinal, Liver and Biliary Tract Water Channel Proteins in Health and Disease
Eye Water Channel Proteins in Health and Disease
Kidney and Urinary Tract Water Channel Proteins in Health and Disease
Respiratory Apparatus Water Channel Proteins in Health and Disease
Water Channel Proteins and Cardiovascular System: Physiology and Pathology
Muscle Water Channel Proteins
Red Blood Cell Water Channel Proteins
Water Channel Proteins in Secretory Cells: Physiology and Pathology
Skin Water Channel Proteins in Health and Disease
Water Channel Proteins and Reproductive System
Adipose Tissue Water Channel Proteins and Metabolic Syndrome
Fluid Transport in Barrier Epithelia
Varia
CALL FOR PAPERS
Participants wishing to contribute to the Scientific Program with Lectures, Oral Communications, Short Communications or Posters are kindly requested to submit their ABSTRACTS, together with the REGISTRATION FORM of at least one author. For the abstract to be included in the final program AT LEAST ONE AUTHOR should have paid the Registration Fee BEFORE sending the ABSTRACT. If the paper is not accepted, the Registration Fee will be returned, after bank charges and a handling fee of 5 EUR is deducted.
Abstracts should be submitted by E-mail to: aquaporin@wens.ro.
The authors should indicate the preferred form of presentation. The scheduled time is: Lecture (25 min presentation, 5 min discussion), Oral Communication (12 min presentation, 3 min discussion), Short Communication (8 min presentation, 2 min discussion). The decision regarding the form of presentation will be taken by the Abstract Committee and will be communicated to authors by April 15, 2015 (at the latest).
The DEAD-LINE FOR ABSTRACT SUBMISSION for Lectures, Oral and Short Communications and Posters is April 10, 2015. Abstracts received after March 15, 2015 may not be included in the BOOK OF THE CONGRESS (CONTAINING THE PROGRAM AND ABSTRACTS).
DATES TO REMEMBER
May 6-10, 2015: Meeting dates
March 15, 2015: dead-line for payment of Reduced Registration Fee
April 10, 2015: dead-line for payment of Regular Registration Fee
April 25, 2015: dead-line for payment of Late Registration Fee
After April 25 the Registration Fee for Delegates will be increased to Eur 300; for Residents/ Stagiaires/MSc., PhD Students to Eur 200; for Undergraduate Students(with papers) to Eur 20. The Registration Fee for Undergraduate Students (volunteered to help in the organization) and for Accompanying Persons will remain unchanged.
April 10, 2015: dead-line for Abstract submission for Lectures, Oral and Short Communications and Posters
IMPORTANT: ALL PARTICIPANTS ARE ADVICED TO CHECK WHETHER MEDICAL INSURANCE THEY MIGHT HAVE, COVER THE MEETING DATES. FOREIGN PARTICIPANTS ARE STRONGLY ADVICED TO HAVE MEDICAL INSURANCE VALID FROM THE DAY ENTERING ROMANIA UP TO THE DAY LEAVING ROMANIA. THE ORGANIZERS COULD NOT COVER MEDICAL COSTS OF ANY KIND FOR ANY OF THE PARTICIPANTS.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: gbgbenga@gmail.com