The 2009 meeting of the PanAmerican Society for Pigment Cell Research and suggestively entitled "The Pigmentary System: Securing a Place Under the Sun" will be held in Memphis, TN, to update investigators on the most novel findings in the field of pigment cell research and the clinical advances in skin disease treatment. The main objective of this meeting is to provide a forum for basic researchers and clinicians to meet and share data on the complex field of skin pigmentation with its wider implications in human health, environmental effects of solar radiation and racial diversity. We expect to achieve a better understanding of the process of melanin pigmentation at molecular, cellular and entire organism levels that might lead to more effective treatments for pigmentary disorders ranging from rare genetic pigmentary abnormalities to autoimmune disorders of pigmentation and skin malignancies. The 15th Annual Meeting carries the theme 'The Pigmentary System: Securing a Place Under the Sun' to address topics related to the mechanism by which pigmentation offers protection from the damaging effects of the sun and how pigmentation is affected in a wide array of pigmentary disorders. Recent advances in pigment cell biology interfacing with other areas of research such as dermatology, basic biology, neurobiology, endocrinology, immunology, photobiology, ophthalmology, pathology, biochemistry, chemistry, physics and cancer research will be presented. Importantly, realizing that pigmentation is also the basis for racial discrimination with an impact for the individual well being and for the society as a whole, the PanAmerican Society for Pigment Cell Research opens the necessary space for discussion on health and social issues. The program will encompass unique blend of basic, translational and clinical sciences. It is expected that new avenues in pigment cells research will be discussed and future directions proposed to place this field on the forefront of basic and life sciences.

Memphis, situated in the southwestern corner of picturesque Tennessee, is a thriving community of about one million, perched on bluffs that overlook the Mississippi River. The climate is moderate. For the lover of the arts, there are museums and galleries, a symphony orchestra, a ballet company and numerous community theater groups. When it’s time to relax, one can enjoy fine restaurants representing cuisines from around the world. Memphis is renowned as the birthplace of the blues, and this musical tradition lives on in the clubs and cafes of Beale Street. While in Memphis, you are invited to experience a trip to Graceland. The tour leads you through Elvis Presley’s amazing journey to superstardom. You can also visit Elvis's Automobile Museum and board his custom jets. Please visit www.elvis.com for more information. Other sites to visit: Civil Right Museum, Gibson Factory. Nashville (the capital of the Country Music) and Tunica with its multiple Casinos are also within driving distance.

Click on the map for an enlargement (pdf-file).

The Hotels listed are offering discounted room rates for our meeting attendees.

Memphis Peabody Hotel
149 Union Avenue
Memphis, TN 38103
(901) 529-4000
Room Rates: Single $179/night; Double $179; Triple $199; Quad $199/night plus 15.95% tax plus Hotel Service Fee $ 9.95 per room per person.
Reservations for Peabody: For reservations call 1 800 PEABODY (press 2 for Memphis) and identify yourself as a member of the PASPCR. Discounted Room Rates will not be available after August 6, 2009.

Doubletree Hotel Memphis Downtown
185 Union Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee, 38103
Tel: 1-901-528-1800 Fax: 1-901-525-8509
Room Rates: Single $90/night; Double $90/night plus tax
Reservations for Doubletree: For reservations call 1 901 528 1800 or 1 800 222 TREE and identify yourself as a member of the PASPCR or book on-line at the www.memphisdoubletree.com.
Discounted Room Rates will not be available after August 14, 2009.


Transportation from hotels to University of Tennessee Health Science Center (Hamilton Eye Institute):

Public transportation
Within walking distance from the hotel there is a stop of vintage MATA MADISON AVENUE trolley line. This line runs between downtown and the medical center. Fare is $1 per person per trip. Exact fare is required and passes can be purchases on the trolley. 3-day pass costs $8. From both hotels walk one block north on Third Street and turn into Madison Avenue and board the trolley at the THIRD STREET stop. Get off at the PAULINE stop. More details about Memphis vintage trolley lines is available at: www.matatransit.com.

Shuttle services
Doubletree will issue a coupon for discounted shuttle service (PC Transportation) for $12 per round-trip per guest per day. The guests are individually responsible for arrangements and payment through PC transportation.

Ask any one of our local organizing committee members if you have questions or suggestions about the meeting program, the venue, registration and submission of abstracts, meeting participants, social events or anything we haven't mentioned. Send an e-mail to info@paspcr2009.org.

Local Organizing Committee
Andrzej Slominski, MD, PhD (Chair), Barrett Haik, MD, FACS, Charles Handorf, MD, PhD, Peter Netland, MD, PhD, Blazej Zbytek, MD, PhD, Barbara Frederick, MPA, Deborah Trapp, Leslie Ingram, MS, Amanda Mullins, MD

National Organizing Committee
Andrzej Slominski, MD, PhD (Chair), Frank Meyskens, MD, Gertrude-Emilia Costin, PhD, Prashiela Manga, PhD, John Pawelek, PhD, Tom Hornyak, MD, PhD

Renowned keynote speakers will address and discuss the issues related to pigmentation at 2009 meeting of PASPCR:

Sergei Grando, MD, PhD (University of California Irvine)
F. Holick, MD, PhD (Boston University)
Lawrence Pfeffer, PhD (University of Tennessee)
Michael Kastan, MD, PhD (St. Jude Hospital)
Ralf Paus, MD (University of Lubeck)
Jack Arbiser, MD, PhD (Emory University)
Russel J. Reiter, Ph.D., Dr.h.c.mult. (University of Texas, San Antonio)
Edwin Blalock, PhD (University of Alabama)
Gregory Barsh, MD, PhD (Stanford University)
Andrzej Slominski, MD, PhD (Uni. of Tennessee Health Science Center)
Dianna Johnson, PhD (University of Tennessee Health Science Center)

When you submit an abstract for the '09 meeting, please choose from the following topics to have it evaluated by the appropriate member of our scientific review committee: a) Biochemistry, Chemistry and Biophysics of Melanin Pigmentation, b) Cell Biology of Melanin Synthesis, c) Malignant Transformation of the Melanocyte and Melanoma Progression, d) Cell Surface and Nuclear Receptors and Their Ligands: Regulation of Melanocyte/Melanoma Behavior, e) Melanocyte Maturation/Differentiation: Developmental and Cellular Biology, f) Oxidative Responses in Melanocytes and Melanoma Cells, g) Melanocyte Response to Solar Radiation Pigmentary Disorders: Genetics, Etiology, Pathology and Therapy, h) Pigmentary System of the Eye, or i) Other.