International Conference

July 1-5, 2000, Göteborg, Sweden

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Background

The discovery of aquaporin membrane water channel proteins by Agre and associates has provided fundamental insights into the molecular mechanism of water transport across biological membranes, a basic feature of life from microbials to humans. The fundamental importance of molecular water channels has led to a dramatic expansion of the field starting with 6 publications in 1992 to more than 160 papers in 1998.
Aquaporins are members of the MIP (major intrinsic protein) family which is comprised of presently more than 200 membrane channel proteins in mammals, bacteria, fungi and plants. Most MIP-family members from higher cells are aquaporin water channels which control water fluxes through cells and epithelia. Aquaporins are essential for regulation and control of body water balance and play key roles in diseases associated with altered water and salt transport. Aquaporins are also present in lower animal species. In plants MIP channels play important roles in intra- and intercellular water flow and hence in osmoregulation and developmental processes; the model plant Arabidopsis has more than 30 MIP channels. Most microbial members of the family are either also aquaporins or transport small solutes such as glycerol for utilization as carbon source or in osmoregulation.

Conference Topics: Fundamental Research

Structure and Function of Aquaporins and other Channels of the MIP Family
Identification of Novel Aquaporins and MIP Channels
Molecular Physiology of Water and Solute Transport
Model Systems and Gene Knockouts
Expression and Regulation of Aquaporins in Animal Tissues
Expression and Regulation of Aquaporins and Solute Channels in Plant Systems
Microbial Aquaporins and MIP Channels

Conference Topics: Applied Aspects

Human Disease and Treatment
Plant Development and Stress Tolerance
Engineering of Microbial Metabolism