General Information

Markus Wenk (National University of Singapore)
Hongyuan (Robert) Yang (National University of Singapore)

Lipid research has gained from a number of recent achievements and developments. First, genetic and cell biological research has provided new insights into molecular mechanisms of lipid action. Second, it is becoming increasingly clear that deregulated lipid metabolism plays an important role in many human diseases, in addition to obvious presentations such as diabetes. Third, novel analytical approaches (in particular liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry) which allow analysis of lipids in complex mixtures and at a systems level scale are being developed at a very rapid pace. Furthermore, research and development is increasingly supported by a wide variety of reagents and tools (such as synthetic lipid standards, analogues of natural lipids, lipid affinity probes, etc). Convergence of these developments will thus open new opportunities in drug and biomarker development, at both non-clinical and clinical stages.

The aim of this symposium is to spur this process by bringing together investigators with diverse backgrounds in lipid research. Cell biologist, biochemists, biophysicists will present their latest research advances in an open workshop-style forum. In addition, a round table discussion at the end of the meeting should help to distill the various topics which are up for presentation. The symposium is organized by the National University of Singapore and the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology. It will be held in Singapore, a geographical and cultural link in global exchange, traditionally in trading and transportation, and more recently in biomedicine.