The American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB) - Annual Meeting Dec 5-9, 2009

The American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB) will hold its 49th Annual Meeting at the San Diego Convention Center, from December 5-9, 2009.

We are extending to teachers and your students two special invitations to this event:

• First, we are offering free registration to high school teachers to attend the meeting.
• Second, we are inviting you, your fellow teachers, students, and parents to attend the 19th Annual Program for High School science teachers and their students. There is no cost to attend this program.  CLICK HERE for a flyer to advertise this event.

This year's presentation, "CSI (Cell Science Investigations): Clathrin-Mediated Endocytosis," will be held on Sunday, December 6, from 1:45 pm to 3:00 pm, in Room 31 of the San Diego Convention Center. The speaker is Sandra L. Schmid from The Scripps Research Institute.

Just like whole organisms, individual cells in the body must obtain nutrients, communicate with each other, and react to their surroundings. The cell is separated from its environment by a limiting plasma membrane. Entry into the cell is tightly regulated and occurs by a process called clathrin-mediated endocytosis or CME. CME involves assembly of coat proteins, in particular clathrin onto the inner surface of the plasma membrane to form coated pits. Coated pits become deeper and rounder and eventually pinch off as coated vesicles that carry surface-bound molecules (nutrients, signaling hormones, etc.) into the cell. Learn how the CSI team is identifying the cellular machinery required for CME (rounding up the suspects) and determining their mechanism of action (modus operandi).

Students may go straight to Room 31 of the San Diego Convention Center beginning at 1:45 pm to receive meeting badges.  Lemonade and popcorn will be served.  (Please ask your students to eat lunch prior to attending the program.)  The presentation will begin promptly at 2:00 pm.  Following the presentation from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm, students can tour the Exhibit Hall to see the latest products and services for biomedical researchers.

Students and teachers have found the ASCB High School Program to be an excellent opportunity to learn about exciting advances in cell and molecular biology. You may wish to consider offering the students who attend the program extra credit in their science classes.

As noted on the flyer, pre-registration is requested for the High School Program.  Please register online.  

CLICK HERE for more information on either program, or write to aharris@ascb.org.

On behalf of the ASCB and the ASCB Education Committee, I look forward to welcoming you to the 2009 American Society for Cell Biology Annual Meeting and High School Program.

Sincerely,

Alison Harris

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Alison L. Harris

Meeting Planner

The American Society for Cell Biology

8120 Woodmont Avenue, Suite 750

Bethesda, MD 20814

(301) 347-9300

fax (301) 347-9310

aharris@ascb.org

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See you at the 49th ASCB Annual Meeting!

December 5-9, 2009

San Diego, CA

For more information, go to www.ascb.org/meetings