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5^th International Conference 
Inhibitors of Protein Kinases

and Workshop Session
Novel Molecular Design and Simulation Methods
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June 23 - 27, 2007

 Warsaw, Poland

 ORGANIZERS:

	Institute of Biochemistry & Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences (PAS), Warsaw and CoE BioExploratorium, Division of Biophysics, Inst. of Experimental Physics, Faculty of Physics, University of Warsaw
CO-ORGANIZERS:
	Interdisciplinary Centre for Mathematical and Computational Modelling (ICM), University of Warsaw
	International Institute of Molecular & Cell Biology in Warsaw
	Institute of Biocybernetics and Biomedical Engineering, Polish Academy of Sciences (PAS), Warsaw

Background

       Protein phosphorylation is the most important pathway for regulation of  protein function in living cells. It is involved in the switching  of cellular activities from one state to another  and, in this way, regulates gene expression, cellular proliferation, and cell differentation. It is the major mechanism by which cells respond to extracellular signals, such as hormones and growth factors, and controls all events in the various stages of the cell cycle, as well as the response of the cell to environmental and nutritional stresses. 
     Given the key role of protein kinases and phosphatases in signal transduction, it was to be anticipated that this would stimulate searches for specific inhibitors. Considerable success has been attained with the aid of numerous approaches, both experimental and theoretical, aided in large part by the results of studies on the three-dimensional structures of these enzymes,  further supported by molecular modeling and structure-based drug design. Such inhibitors are now widely applied as tools for more precise delineation of signaling pathways. 
       Dysfunctions of protein kinases (and protein phosphatases) are associated with numerous severe pathological states. It is consequently not surprising that  the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors are amongst the most active participants in the design of protein kinase inhibitors, primarily with an eye to potential therapeutic applications. There are now highly potent and selective inhibitors, with Ki values in the nanomolar range, and even lower. A number of these are presently  in clinical use or in preclinical trials.
       A novel feature of the 4th IPK was the inclusion of several contributions on the protein kinases of pathogenic agents, an as yet emerging, but highly promising, field, both for basic research, and potential therapeutic applications, most timely in relation to current world-wide efforts to control  diseases.
       Apart from its truly international character, participants in previous IPK Conferences have included leading specialists representing a broad range of disciplines from both Academia and the Biotechnology sector, thus ensuring adequate interplay and stimulating discussions between those engaged in basic research and representatives of biotechnology firms. 
       The interest shown by participants at previous Conferences encouraged us to undertake organization of the 5th IPK, to be held again in Warsaw, June 23-27, 2007.
       In addition to invited  lectures, there will be several poster sessions. Abstracts of  posters accepted for presentation  will be published in a special number of the international journal Cellular & Molecular Biology Letters, which is available on line, amongst others, at MEDLINE/PubMed. Some posters may be selected for short oral presentation.
        For purposes of orientation as to subject matter, prospective participants may consult the published lectures of the four previous IPK Conferences, as follows:

 IPK'1998: Pharmacology & Therapeutics 82 (Nos. 2-3), 1999
 IPK'2001: Pharmacology & Therapeutics 99 (Nos. 2-3), 2002
 IPK'2003: Biochimica Biophysica Acta (Proteins & Proteomics) 1697 (Nos. 1-2), 2004
 IPK’2005: Biochimica Biophysica Acta (Proteins & Proteomics) 1754 (Nos. 1-2), 2005