Vertex (Lie) algebras in higher dimensions

Vertex algebras provide an axiomatic algebraic description of the operator product expansion (OPE) of chiral fields in 2-dimensional conformal field theory. Vertex Lie algebras (= Lie conformal algebras) encode the singular part of the OPE, or, equivalently, the commutators of chiral fields. We discuss generalizations of vertex algebras and vertex Lie algebras, which are relevant for higher-dimensional quantum field theory.