The Institute for Systems Biology and the University of Alberta are co-hosting the first international symposium dedicated solely to peroxisome research in over a decade. This symposium was inspired by the family of Chloe Carlson, whose quest to find researchers and physicians who can help their daughter Chloe led them to the Institute for Systems Biology and is dedicated to the numerous families and children that are affected by disorders related to peroxisome dysfunction. The organizing committee is excited to convene this outstanding group of peroxisome researchers in hopes that together, through our different approaches, we will understand peroxisome biogenesis and function and ultimately cure diseases resulting from these devastating disorders.

Image compliments of microscopyu.com/

Co-organizers

John Aitchison, Institute for Systems Biology
jaitchison@systemsbiology.org

Richard Rachubinski, University of Alberta
rick.rachubinski@ualberta.ca

Suresh Subramani, University of California San Diego
ssubramani@ucsd.edu

Ralf Erdmann, Ruhr-Universität Bochum
ralf.erdmann@rub.de

Yukio Fujiki, Kyushu University
yfujiscb@mbox.nc.kyushu-u.ac.jp

About Peroxisome Disorders

Dysfunctional peroxisomes have catastrophic consequences leading to conditions that primarily afflict children. Often patients suffer from severe neurological, liver and kidney defects which can be fatal in early childhood.

Single Peroxisomal Enzyme Deficiencies:

• Rhizomelic chondrodysplasia punctata Type 2 (DHAPAT deficiency)
• Rhizomelic chondrodysplasia punctata Type 3 (alkyl-DHAP synthase)
• X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy
• Acyl–CoA oxidase deficiency
• D–bifunctional protein deficiency
• 2–Methylacyl-CoA racemase deficiency
• Sterol carrier protein X deficiency
• Refsum disease (phytanoyl-CoA hydroxylase deficiency)
• Hyperoxaluria Type 1
• Acatalasaemia

Peroxisomal Biogenesis Disorders

• Zellweger syndrome
  
• Neonatal adrenoleukodystrophy
  
• Infantile refsum disease
  
• Rhizomelic chondrodysplasia punctata

About Peroxisomes

Peroxisomes are ubiquitous intracellular organelles that play many regulated metabolic roles in human cellular physiology including beta-oxidation of long chain fatty acids; the synthesis of cholesterol, bile acids and plasmalogens; and the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide and superoxides. What makes peroxisomes remarkable is that they respond dramatically to various stimuli and their abundance, size, and enzymatic profiles vary by tissue location. Because of their varied metabolic and cellular roles, peroxisomes are linked to a number of human health concerns including aging, neuropathology, cancer, heart disease, obesity, and diabetes. A number of inherited genetic disorders, collectively called the peroxisome biogenesis disorders, are attributed to dysfunction of peroxisome assembly. Understanding the plasticity of peroxisomes, their different functions and the details of their biogenesis is important for determining the contributions the organelle makes to many human disorders and for developing treatments for these conditions.