AOCS Division Newsletter




	printer-friendly version . send feedback on this newsletter . unsubscribe AOCS Phospholipid Division Newsletter April 2007 ICBL–ILPS–ELIFE: Three successful lipid conferences in Pécs Willem van Nieuwenhuyzen and Laszlo Vigh *from inform* 18(3) p. 203 A joint meeting of three lipid associations was organized by the staff of the Biological Research Center of the Hungarian Academy of Science (BRC-HAS) and held during September 5–10, 2006, in the city of Pécs,120 miles south of Budapest, Hungary. The former BRC Director and HAS member Laszlo Vigh was conference chair with overall responsibility for the scientific program, with special focus on the International Conference on the Biosciences of Lipids (ICBL) sessions. One of the driving forces behind ICBL and cooperation with the European Lipidomics Initiative (ELIFE) and the International Lecithin & Phospholipid Society (ILPS) was Fritz Spener, former professor at the University of Münster, Germany, who now works from his hometown University of Graz in Austria. Meeting structure Under the umbrella of the 47th ICBL Congress, the “science week” started with a six-lecture ELIFE workshop followed by the ICBL Congress and ended with the ILPS Congress. The ELIFE workshop was held in cooperation with the International Society for the Study of Fatty Acids and Lipids (ISSFAL). The combination of the final two ICBL sessions with two additional sessions constituted the 9th ILPS Congress titled “Phospholipids for Health” focusing on nutrition and biochemistry of phospholipids. These latter sessions were organized by Michael Schneider of Lecithos, Freinsheim, Germany, and ILPS Executive Director Willem van Nieuwenhuyzen. There was overall enthusiasm from registrants for the joint scheduling of the three events. The scientific program involved 10 sessions with 47 plenary lectures by invited speakers and 17 oral presentations, selected from the submitted abstracts for posters. More than 100 posters were presented. In total over 230 technical registrations were made for all three events, with over 10% coming from Japan and 5% from North America. Abstracts of the lectures and posters were published in the September issue of Chemistry and Physics of Lipids (143:38–114, 2006). All sessions were held in the art deco styled marble Congress Hall of the Palatinus Hotel in the city center. The social program was excellent, promoting conviviality among all scientists. The opening mixers, a reception in the town hall, a visit to winery caves presenting Transdanubian local color, and a concluding joint congress dinner were all much appreciated. Sessions** Lipidomics and Health (ELIFE workshop). Jürgen Borlak, Fraunhofer Institute, Hannover, Germany, discussed the role of the lectin-like oxidized (Ox)-LDL receptor LOX-1 in endothelial dysfunction as a possible explanation of aberrant lipid metabolism in human diseases. Balazs Sarkadi, National Medical Center, HAS, Budapest, described the ABC transporters for membrane lipids, while Hee-Young Kim of the National Institute of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA, considered the application of mass spectrometry in membrane-related signaling research. Pierre Bougnoux of INSERM, Tours, France, discussed the relationship between diet, breast cancer, and the lipidome (the totality of lipids). The 10th L.L.M. van Deenen lecture. Ben de Kruijff, University of Utrecht, The Netherlands, addressed “Membranes, Where Lipids and Proteins Meet.” He said that lipids are organized in bilayers and provide the membrane with its barrier function; proteins give rise to the specific functions of membranes such as transport, recognition, and catalysis. A new model considered the key role of membrane phosphatidic acid. Lipidomics. Markus Wenk, National University of Singapore, discussed lip-idomics of host-pathogen interactions, and Edward Dennis, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, USA, described the progress being made in lipid maps and eicosanoid lipidomics. Gerd Schmitz, University of Regensburg, Germany, focused on the effect of the differential raft regulation during Ox-LDL and E-LDL (enzymatically modified LDL) loading in human macrophages. Membrane Microdomains. Janos Szollosi of HAS, Debrecen, Hungary, reported that membrane microdomains are distinct molecular association clusters with function properties, while Gerhard Schütz, Johannes Keppler University, Linz, Austria, examined the nanoscopic organization of the plasma membrane using single molecule microscopy. Toshihide Kobayashi, Riken, Wako-shi (Tokyo), Japan, described the combination of different novel cholesterol probes with the capability of revealing the cholesterol gradient in cell membranes. Gerrit van Meer of Utrecht University, The Netherlands, discussed dynamic organization and unexpected function of typical raft lipids. “Tibor Farkas in memorium.” The late Tibor Farkas, who led the Biological Research Center of HAS to excellence, was recognized. During the 1960s he worked in Italy, and later in the United States, at a time when open cooperation between the East and West was still very difficult. He was elected member of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States in 1989 for his work on biochemistry and physiology of lipids with focus on the adaptation of membrane to changes in temperature. Michael Schlame, New York University, New York City, USA, described the Barth syndrome, a human disorder of cardiolipin metabolism that is caused by mutations of the tafazzin gene leading to reduced content of cardiolipin. Pablo Escriba, University of the Balearic Islands, Palma de Mallorca, Spain, considered the effects of membrane-lipid therapy. Lipids and Stress. John Zehmer, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA, discussed thermal acclimation in raft microdomains of the plasma membrane. John Harwood, Cardiff University, United Kingdom, presented studies on a novel desaturase involved in stress adaptation in the soil protozoon Acanthamoeba castellani. Ibolya Horvath, HAS, Szeged, Hungary, described stress protein responses in mammalian cells under the control of lipid composition and microdomain organization of membranes, while George Carman, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA, discussed the regulation of the yeast Mg2+-dependent phosphatidate phosphatase in response to nutrient deprivation. Gene Regulation by Lipid Signaling. Folkert Kuipers, University of Groningen, The Netherlands, spoke on the regulation of lipid metabolism by the nuclear receptors LXR (liver X receptor) and FXR (farnesoid X recpetor), while Nico Marx, University of Ulm, Germany, considered the cardiovascular effect of PPAR (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor) activators. Bart Staels, INSERM, Lille, France, demonstrated that nuclear receptors are the therapeutic targets to modulate the metabolic syndrome. What are Healthy Lipids? Ingeborg Brouwer, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, reported that n-3 fatty acids are important in preventing cardiac arrhythmia. Bengt Vissby, Uppsala University, Sweden, discussed the health effects of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), noting there are as yet no proven health benefits of CLA in humans. Scope exists, however, for further clinical trials to document the possible benefits of CLA isomers as antitumorigenic or immunogenic agents. Gwendolyn Barcelo-Coblijn, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, USA, reported that alpha-linolenic acid-enriched (flaxseed) diets show beneficial effects in cattle and firefighters. These diets significantly increase n-3 fatty acid (FA) content in red blood cells. Metabolism and Function of Lipids in the Brain. Thomas Brenna, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA, discussed the influence of perinatal long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) nutrition and prematurity on neural tissue PUFA composition and function in non-human primates. Sylvie Chalon, INSERM, Tours, France, considered the effects of n-3 PUFA on neurotransmission systems, while László Puskás, BRC-HAS, Szeged, described “Protein micro arrays for dietary lipid-induced expression analysis in the brain.” Andrew Sinclair, Deakin University, Burwood, Australia, asked whether the relationship between long-chain PUFA and brain function will reach the same public status as the “calcium and bone” relationship. Detailed reports on beneficial effects of long-chain n-6 and n-3 PUFA on human brain phospholipids have been available for over 40 years. He said arachidonic acid (AA) and DHA reduce the impact of depression and schizophrenia and that data from animal models of Alzheimer’s show evidence of benefits from DHA application. Benjamin Buaud, ITERG, Bordeaux, France, discussed the effects of n-3 PUFA deficiency on the expression of nuclear receptors and synaptic plasticity markers in rat brain, and Jérémy Skrzypski, University of Bourgogne, Dijon, France, presented studies on the influence of n-3 FA on PUFA metabolism in rat brain in relation to aging. Sphingolipids. Yoshio Hirabayashi, Riken Brain Science Institute, Wako-shi (Tokyo), discussed the role of glycosphingolipid synthesis in brain development and survival; l-serine is essential for sphingolipid synthesis in neuronal function and activity. Tony Futerman, Weizmann Institute, Rehovot, Israel, described the inclusion of the Longevity Assurance (LASS) gene as a member of the mammalian cer-amide synthase gene family. Gábor Tigyi, University of Tennessee, Memphis, USA, reported on the structural analysis of sphingosine-1-phosphate and LPA (lysophosphatidic acid) receptors from computational models for rational drug design. Howard Riezman, University of Geneva, Switzerland, described the biosynthesis, transport, and functions of sphingolipids in yeast. Yasuyuki Igarashi, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan, discussed topological metabolism and transbilayer dynamics of sphingolipids, and Makoto Ito, Kyushu University Fukuoka, Japan, described the biological significance of ceramide metabolism in development of nervous and vascular systems in zebrafish. Åke Nilsson, University of Lund, Sweden, considered “Sphingolipids in the Gut. What Are the Key Issues?” Dietary milk sphingolipids have shown positive anti-tumor effects in experimental colon cancer in animals and humans. Peter Slotte, Åbo Akademi, University Turku, Finland, reported that sphingomyelin interacts with cholesterol in cells, reducing desorption rate and oxidation susceptibility. Willem F. Nieuwenhuizen, TNO Quality for Life, Zeist, The Netherlands, described dietary sphingolipids effects on lowering plasma cholesterol and triacylglycerol levels and preventing liver steatosis in APOE3Leiden mice. He challenged food companies to work on foods with enhanced levels of sphingolipids and phospholipids. Willem van Nieuwenhuyzen, Lecipro Consulting, Limmen, The Netherlands, reviewed nutritive aspects of soy phospholipids with emphasis on choline supply. Rui-Dong Duan, University of Lund, Sweden, discussed sphingomyelinases and cer-amidases in intestinal mucosa where expression of alkaline sphingomyelinase (alk-SMase) is subject to change by dietary factors and some anticancer drugs. Karel van Erpecum, University Medical Center, Utrecht, The Netherlands, described the influence of bile salts on molecular interactions between sphingomyelin and cholesterol in the biliary and intestinal tracts. Marine Phospholipids. Erik Lovaas, University of Tromsø/BioSea Management AS, Norway, considered marine phospholipids derived from fish and fish by-products as third-generation n-3 products. He noted that marine phospholipids facilitate n-3 FA transport over the blood-brain barrier, preventing n-3 FA deficiency in the brain. Joseph Hibbeln NIAAA/NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA, described the preliminary positive influence of n-3 FA in reducing aggression and violence in alcoholics, possibly by increasing brain serotonin levels. Hee-Yong Kim, also of the NIAAA/NIH, presented her work on the effects of brain phosphatidylserine in neuronal signaling. Dori Pelled, Enzymotec, Migdal-HaEmeq Israel, reported that n-3 phosphatidylserine affects positively both the cognitive performance and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children. Maud Cansell, ISTAB, University of Bordeaux, France, compared the metabolic fate of n-3 PUFA in plasma and liver of rats supplemented with marine lipid-based liposomes or fish oil. Hogne Hallaraker Natural SA, Hovdebygda, Norway, described the functions of long-chain phospholipids focusing on enzymatically transesterified phospholipids based on a number of clinical studies made in cooperation with several institutes. Awards* The ICBL 2006 Poster Awards were presented to the following authors (name of presenter underlined): Bellenger, J., F. Guinot, S. Bellenger, and M. Narce, UPRES Lipides et Nutrition, University of Burgundy, Dijon, France; Natter, K., J. Petschnigg, and S.D. Kohlwein, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University Graz, Austria; Andersson, M.X., M. Goksör, and A.S. Sandelius, Departments of Plant and Environmental Sciences, and of Physics Göteborg University, Sweden. The presenting authors each received certificates and 500 Euros. The Awards were donated by the Organizing Committee of the ICBL 2006 and presented by the Chair, Laszlo Vigh. In addition, ICBL decided to offer for the first time a Young Speaker Award to scientists below the age of 40 for short oral presentations. The publication Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) had agreed to be the sponsor of this award. Fritz Spener, the Executive Manager of BBA Section Molecular and Cell Biology of Lipids, presented the ICBL Young Speaker Award in the form of a certificate and 500 Euros to Harini Sampath, Departments of Nutritional Sciences and of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, USA, for a paper co-authored by M. Miyazaki and J.M. Ntambi. Sponsorships All three associations gratefully acknowledged the sponsors. Avanti Polar Lipids Inc., USA, sponsored both ICBL and ILPS conferences. ICBL was sponsored by Hungarian companies and foundations. ILPS was sponsored by ADM—Lecithin Group, USA, and Spectral Service Laboratory GmbH, Germany. The sponsors made it possible for invited speakers to be given travel support. Near Future Activities ICBL has scheduled the 48th Conference for Turku, Finland September 4–8, 2007, to be chaired by Peter Slotte, Åbo University, Turku (netlink: www.icbl2007.abo.fi). ILPS has scheduled its 10th Phospholipid Congress to be held in 2–3 years’ time and is to organize Lecithin Technologies short courses at the 2007 AOCS Annual Meeting & Expo scheduled for Québec City, Canada, and also in Belgium in 2008 (netlink: www.ilps.org). Willem van Nieuwenhuyzen is Director Lecipro Consulting (willem@lecipro.nl). Laszlo Vigh is Former Director BRC, Member HAS Szeged (vigh@nucleus.szbk.u-szeged.hu). Other stories in this newsletter: Greetings From the Chair, by Bruce Sebree Short Course on Lecithin Properties and Technological Functions GRAS Approval for Enzyme Technology USB Recognizes List Announcement of Research Funds A number of drivers affect the protein bioadhesives market AOCS, 2710 S. Boulder, Urbana, IL 61802-6996 USA	Division Officers Chairperson Bruce Sebree phone: +1-217-451-4067 fax: +1-217-451-2693 e-mail: sebree@admworld.com Vice Chairperson Jonathan Maynes phone: +1-314-982-3162 fax: +1-314-982-2899 e-mail: Jmaynes@solae.com Secretary Gary List phone: +1-309-681-6388 fax: +1-309-681-6340 e-mail: listgr@ncaur.usda.gov Treasurer Moghis Ahmad phone: +1-847-573-0707 fax: +1-847-573-0770 Email: Moghis@jinapharma.com Member-at-Large Bernie Szuhaj phone: +1-260-489-6849 Member-at-Large Lance Colbert phone: +1-217-451-5802 fax: +1-217-451-2457 e-mail: colbert@admworld.com Member-at-Large Randy Zigmont phone: +1-203-262-7100 fax: +1-203-262-7101 e-mail: rzigmont@aol.com Member-at-Large Walt Shaw phone: +1-205-663-2494 fax: +1-205-663-0756 e-mail: waltshaw@avantilipids.com Member-at-Large Susan Gurkin phone: +1-770-986-6268 fax: +1-770-986-6282 e-mail: susan.gurkin@degussa.com Member-at-Large Willem van Nieuwenhuyzen phone: +31 72 505 5617 fax. +31 72 505 5618 e-mail: willem@lecipro.nl Immediate Past Chair Susan Carlson phone: +1-913-588-5359 fax: +1-913-588-8946 e-mail: scarlson@kumc.edu Past Chairperson Joseph Casey e-mail: JCasey@solae.com