This Gordon Research Conference is a combination of the former Gordon Conferences on Hormone Action, Hormones and Development, and Hormonal Carcinogenesis. This unique merger aims to advance these separate yet overlapping fields through cross-fertilization of ideas and knowledge on the underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms of hormone action and the common as well as unique aspects of hormonal control of developmental and carcinogenic events. The program will include state-of-the-art lectures and open discussions regarding the recent advances in hormone action, hormonal regulation of developmental events in diverse phyla, developmental pathways gone awry in cancer, steroid action in breast and prostate cancer, hormonal carcinogenesis at alternate sites and through alternate pathways, effects of environmental endocrine disruptors on development and cancer, epigenomic mechanisms in development and cancer under the control of hormones, and novel approaches for translational research. A wide range of model systems applicable to the study of hormone action in development, oncogenesis and cancer progression will be discussed as we attempt to identify common pathways that control early developmental events as well as carcinogenic events later in life. In addition to poster presentations by attendees, time will be allotted for short oral presentations of selected abstracts. Participation by trainees and members of both academia and industry is encouraged.

All organisms are exposed to harsh conditions. These harsh conditions include environmentally imposed stresses such as elevated temperature and irradiation, physiological stresses such as rapid cellular proliferation, oxidative stresses due to metabolic reactions, and pathophysiological stresses such as pharmacological agents, infection, and inflammation. Even normal developmental or nutritional changes exert stresses as systems temporarily depart from and try to re-establish homeostasis. If unmitigated, stress can lead to protein misfolding and aggregation, and cell death. Recent studies suggest that the ability to sense and respond to stress is critical for normal cell growth and development, and helps protect against diseases that include cancer, cardiovascular disease, metabolic disease (e.g., diabetes) and liver disease, and protein folding diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s and prion-based disease. Studies in model systems have helped establish these principles and suggest a correlation between longevity and the ability to mount stress responses. There is also an increasing appreciation that the stress response can be pharmacologically modulated, and thus diseases that arise from these phenomena might be selectively targeted.

The GRC meeting will highlight cutting-edge advances in these fields. As in the past, we will continue to emphasize vigorous discussions of recent exciting developments related to several areas of research. These include developments in stress sensing, signaling and gene expression. We will also focus on diseases of protein folding and conformation, the roles of stress genes in metabolism, growth and development, stress gene modulation of infection and pathophysiological states, the cell biology of stress, the chemical modulation of stress pathways, and the roles of stress in aging. Many opportunities will be provided for established and new investigators and for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows to engage in detailed but informal discussions. We seek to enhance the dissemination of new information and the formation of new collaborations. In turn, this will lead to advances and broaden our understanding of the role of stress proteins in human health, aging, and disease.

The Gordon Research Conference (GRC) on Molecular Pharmacology is one of the most popular forums for the gathering of scientists from academia, government, and industry to discuss recent, cutting-edge advances in signal transduction research, receptors and other drug targets. The main focus of the 2009 Molecular Pharmacology GRC will be on membrane receptors and G protein-mediated signaling since other areas of interest in molecular pharmacology are covered by other conferences. The proposed program seeks to integrate basic and translational aspects of research and to encourage cross-fertilization among different approaches. The goal of the conference has been, and continues to be, to advance progress by providing an integrated approach among important "growth areas" in Molecular Pharmacology. The GRC on Molecular Pharmacology convenes every two years. To strengthen the international nature of the Molecular Pharmacology GRC, in 2003 it was decided (by a vote of the attendees) that the conference should alternate between Ventura, California and a GRC location in Europe. The 2009 Conference will be its 21st edition and it will take place at the Il Ciocco Conference Center in Barga (Pisa), Italy.

Three main aspects will be covered by the 2009 conference: i) structural features of receptors and monitoring of receptor function at the single molecule level, ii) signaling and regulatory networks in physiological settings and pathophysiological conditions (e.g., cancer, viral infections, endocrine and cardiovascular disorders, smell), and iii) pharmacology of the brain and metabolism, in particular in animal models. Many of the speakers and discussants are leaders in the field; some are more junior investigators. Session Chairs have been chosen for their contributions to the field and demonstrated history of promoting active exchange of information with younger participants at the meeting. Poster sessions organized by topic will be an integral part of the meeting. All participants who are not speakers or session chairs/discussants will be asked to present a poster. Our general goal for the 2009 Conference is to continue the focus on cutting-edge research, encouraging cross-fertilization of ideas and techniques, supporting the participation of junior scientists, and importantly, by insuring diversity among speakers in terms of career stage and venues in which the scientists work.

The 2009 Gordon Research Conference on RNA Editing brings together scientists interested on RNA and DNA editing, as well as a large contingent of scientists working on DNA and RNA modification. This conference has been held for over 10 years and is the only regularly scheduled meeting devoted to these topics. The goal of the conference is to foster the exchange of ideas among individuals working on different types of nucleic acid editing and modification who are at the forefront of this exciting, fast-moving and diverse field with the hope of promoting new insights and deeper understanding of editing and modification mechanisms.

Editing is found in all organisms, including bacteria, protozoans, plants, yeast, flies and mammals. Mechanistically, there are many diverse types of editing that alter the sequence of RNA or DNA. In the case of modifications, their variety and extent are quite astonishing, with almost 100 different nucleosides reported in all types of nucleic acids. Both Editing and Modification influence many vital processes including genetic imprinting, splicing, protein synthesis, immunoglobulin class switch recombination, somatic hypermutation, cancer virus replication and control of miRNA. It is now clear that scientists investigating these diverse processes face many of the same theoretical and technical challenges. Thus, there is an ever-increasing need for cross-fertilization between these fields. The GRC on RNA Editing represents a unique opportunity for members of these fields to interact at a single conference that is at the cutting edge of science.

All participants are encouraged to present posters. To promote junior scientists, the organizers will choose among graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, or junior faculty from the submitted poster abstracts to give short talks. As is our tradition, we will strive to provide a gender balanced and an ethnically and geographically diverse group of speakers in a congenial and friendly environment.

The Mammalian DNA Repair Gordon Research Conference meets biannually. Unlike the larger conferences in this rapidly expanding field that meet regularly but less frequently, the Mammalian DNA Repair GRC does not attempt to be comprehensive in its coverage of the multiplicity of DNA repair processes and their biological importance but rather highlights recent major advances in selected key areas. As evidenced by a number of rare human genetic diseases involving DNA repair defects and by mouse models, DNA repair processes are now understood to be critical for maintaining genomic stability and genetic integrity and function in the face of abundant endogenously generated DNA damage as well as the typically low environmental exposures to genotoxins. A number of recent research advances using these systems place DNA repair squarely at the crossroads of cancer and aging, and mechanistic understanding of key processes is progressing rapidly. The 2009 conference will emphasize new themes in the area of the DNA damage response. Specifically, we will emphasize 1.) crosstalk among the six major DNA repair pathways 2.) the coordination of multiple pathways (NER, HR, and TLS) in DNA crosslink repair 3.) the importance of post-translational modifications (i.e., phosphorylation, Ubiquitination, and acetylation) in regulating the assembly and function of DNA repair complexes and 4.) the emergence of new diagnostic biomarkers and DNA repair inhibitors, such as PARP1 inhibitors, in cancer therapy.

Presentation of unpublished results will be strongly emphasized in instructions to all speakers, and interactive discussions involving all conferees will be actively encouraged. Broad participation will be facilitated through the selection of short talks from submitted abstracts, including those from postdocs and graduate students. Early application with submission of abstracts is strongly encouraged in order to aid in selection of conference participants and short platform talks.

This conference will emphasize mechanisms of angiogenesis and microvascular remodeling and their functional consequences in development and disease. Because angiogenesis and vascular remodeling are recognized as essential for tumor growth and progression of chronic disease, understanding the biological principles and factors that drive or inhibit blood vessel formation has gained importance. Increasing use of angiogenesis inhibitors in cancer and eye disease not only is enabling assessment of efficacy but also is revealing previously unrecognized features of vascular plasticity. The conference will explore current views of the regulation of angiogenesis, by examining the molecular mechanisms of blood vessel formation, maturation and regression. The conference will also address conditions that drive blood vessel abnormalities under pathological conditions and strategies for stopping angiogenesis, destroying defective blood vessels, and normalizing the vasculature at sites of disease.

The Polyamine Gordon conference will be held at the Waterville Valley Resort in Waterville Valley, New Hampshire from June 21-26, 2009. Since 1975, the Polyamine GRC has been a multidisciplinary conference focused on the polyamine metabolic pathway, the role of polyamines in cellular homeostasis and the development of small molecules that modulate polyamine metabolism as potential therapeutic agents. This meeting is widely regarded as the pre-eminent venue for the presentation and discussion of polyamine research. Polyamines are small organic polycations found in virtually all prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Despite their importance and ubiquitous occurrence, the cellular functions of polyamines are not fully understood. Polyamines are closely linked to cell growth, and inhibitors of polyamine biosynthesis are promoted as anti-proliferative agents. Polyamines are highly regulated at the levels of transcription, translation and protein turnover. Thus the field brings together researchers interested in the physiological role of polyamines in a wide array of organisms, and researchers interested in therapeutic applications such as cancer and parasitic or bacterial infection. The 2009 Polyamine GRC will feature presentations from scientists at the forefront of polyamine research in the areas of anticancer and antiparasitic drug development. The meeting will also include presentations outlining the role of polyamine metabolism in cellular homeostasis, with an emphasis on basic mechanisms of genetic, epigenetic and physiological control. It will also include short talks by students or postdocs whose work has been chosen from the poster presentations by the organizing committee. To further encourage the participation of student and postdoctoral scientists in the meeting, the Polyamine GRC will be held in conjunction with the second Gordon-Kenan Graduate Research Seminar (GKGRS) on Polyamines. The GKGRS will be held from June 20-21, and students and postdocs participating in the GKGRS will be expected to also attend the regular GRC meeting, which immediately follows.

The 2009 Gordon Conference on Ca²⁺ Signaling will present cutting-edge research on the cellular regulation and downstream functions of this remarkable ion-messenger. The Conference will be opened by a "State of the Field" lecture by Tullio Pozzan from the University of Padua, which will provide a brief overview of the achievements, problems and perspectives of Ca²⁺ signaling research. The first sessions of the conference will be dedicated to the roles played by Ca²⁺ in bioenergetics, apoptosis, important diseases and aging. During the following sessions we will discuss a wide range of topics such as calcium stores and calcium release channels, mechanisms of Ca²⁺ entry, comparative physiology of Ca²⁺ signals, interacting second messenger cascades and properties of Ca²⁺-binding proteins. For the first time in the history of this conference we are planning to include an open debate between two prominent scientists; the debate will be focused on the mechanisms of Ca²⁺ entry. The conference will be finished by a Keynote Lecture which will be presented by Tobias Meyer from Stanford University.

The conference will bring together researchers specializing in fundamental aspects of calcium signaling and scientists with interests in the roles played by Ca²⁺ in physiological reactions and in many important diseases (e.g. cardiovascular diseases, cancer, Alzheimer's disease and others). 32 scientists working at the forefront of Ca²⁺ signaling research have agreed to present lectures or serve as discussion leaders. The conference will provide opportunities for junior scientists and graduate students to present their work in poster format and exchange ideas with leaders in the field. 6 poster presenters will be selected for short talks.

The conference will be held in Il Ciocco Hotel in Tuscany. The site is located on two thousand acres of a spectacular natural park, which will provide an excellent setting for informal out-of-session discussions.

Several epidemiologic studies indicate that there may be a risk of cancer from use of chlorinated tap water. However, to-date, the health effects observed in single-chemical animal toxicity studies (primarily liver cancer) have not been able to explain the effects observed in the human epidemiologic studies (primarily bladder cancer). More recent epidemiologic studies have focused on reproductive and developmental effects. And, although there have been associations observed between chlorinated tap water and these effects, it is not known which chemicals / disinfection by-products (DBPs) in the water may be responsible. Also, because previous toxicological research has focused on single chemical testing, it is not known how the complex mixture of DBPs (typically more than 300 chemicals) affects the overall toxicity and human health risk assessments (are the effects additive or non-additive?). The aim of this conference is to have the latest DBP occurrence and formation, treatment, exposure, toxicity, and epidemiology research presented to continue the dialog between chemists, toxicologists, epidemiologists, and engineers in this area, and integrate epidemiologic, toxicology, exposure, and occurrence and formation studies so that this important human exposure issue may be solved.

The Conference will focus on intersections between development of the normal mammary gland and pathways that lead to carcinogenesis and breast cancer. Discussions will be led by experts in fields ranging from microRNAs, stem cells, hormone signaling, lactation and breast cancer. The contributions of genetic and environmental factors which influence lactation and risk of breast cancer will be included. In addition, the meeting has a tradition of exploring model systems and technological advances that can be adapted to enhance experimental approaches.

The overall goal of the meeting will be to enhance understanding of the fundamental connections between mammary gland development and the alterations that occur during tumorigenesis. The meeting format assures lively discussions as researchers exchange their most recent data and diverse perspectives. Participation of post-doctoral researchers, graduate students as well as senior investigators is encouraged through the selection of “short talks” from among the submitted abstracts. To submit an abstract, please follow the application process. There is also ample time set aside for poster sessions as well as leisurely discussions among participants during afternoons and following evening sessions.

Cancer is fundamentally a disease of abnormal gene/pathway function caused by specific alterations in the genome. The nature of these alterations – genetic and epigenetic, and the mechanisms that lead to such genomic changes is the focus of this GRC series. The field has seen a dramatic shift in the past decade from a pure genetic explanation for cancer to a mixed genetic/epigenetic explanation that has important implications for understanding disease causation, deciphering the pathways affected and devising new strategies for prevention and treatment of cancer. Sessions in the meeting will be devoted to recent developments with particular emphasis on whole genome approaches that are revolutionizing the field. Sessions will discuss genomic alterations (mutations, chromosomal changes) and epigenomic alterations (DNA methylation, histone modifications) in cancer in humans as well as in-vitro or animal models. Interactions between genetic and epigenetic changes will also be highlighted, as will clinical implications of the findings, with emphasis on drugs that target genetic or epigenetic changes.

The 2009 second Gordon Conference on Stem cells and Cancer will present cutting-edge research on the cellular and molecular mechanisms controlling self-renewal and differentiation of both normal and cancerous stem cells. Emerging data indicates that cancer stem cells are responsible for the growth and spread of tumors. Expansion of normal stem cells is under tight genetic and epigenetic constraints. Cancer stem cells have escaped these limitations on expansion resulting in expansion of the self-renewing cell populations. The goals of this meeting are to present the most current research into the cellular and molecular biology of normal- and cancer stem cells. Topics that will be explored in this meeting are cancer stem cell niche signaling, the regulation of stem cell self-renewal in normal stem cells and cancer the cell of origin of cancer, Cellular reprogramming mechanisms, new markers for stem cells and cancer stem cells and cancer stem cells as therapeutic targets. The conference will bring together key investigators at the forefront of stem cell research and will provide opportunities for postdocs and graduate students to present their work in poster sessions and in a selected set of short talks. There will be ample opportunity for discussions and informal interactions to help promote cross-disciplinary interactions and foster collaborations between stem cell researchers world-wide.

Gradient sensing and directed cell locomotion, known as chemotaxis, is fundamental to the proper development and functioning of eukaryotic organisms. During early development, chemotactic movements are involved in gastrulation and generation of the trilaminar embryo. Later in development, neuronal guidance is critical for appropriate wiring of the central and peripheral nervous systems. After birth, directed cell migration is critical in normal physiology and in pathology. A crucial function for gradient sensing and directed cell migration is in immune responses. The migration of immune cells through the body during surveillance as well as directed migration towards sites of infection and disease is dependent on chemotactic responses. Chemokines are major regulators of leukocyte migration, and understanding the mechanisms by which their receptors are able to regulate cell motility and direction sensing is critical to understanding how the body enhances and controls immune responses. There are also many pathological examples of gradient sensing and directed cell migration. In the immune system amplified responses to signals can give rise to abnormal inflammatory responses in diverse disorders including asthma and rheumatic diseases. Uncontrolled migration is also a key factor in the progression of cancer. Tumor cells leave original lesions and migrate to distal sites guided by chemoattractants.

There are important parallels between the mechanisms that contribute to cell migration during development, leukocyte trafficking, wound healing and cancer. For many of these conditions, including tumor invasion and metastasis therapeutic options are limited. It is therefore important to have scientists from these diverse disciplines meet to discuss these questions and identify parallel mechanisms that contribute to directed cell migration in diverse systems. This conference will foster new multidisciplinary approaches, and will bring together international leading scientists and young scientists in an atmosphere that encourages scientific exchange.

Planned sessions include (1) Directed cell migration in complex systems, (2) Migration in development and wound healing, (3) Inflammation and leukocyte trafficking, (4) Cell signaling in chemotaxis, (5) Cell polarity and motility in the immune system, (6) Cell polarity and the cytoskeleton in directed cell migration, (7) Modeling and bioengineering in directed cell migration, (8) Directed cell migration in cancer, and (9) Neuronal polarity and growth cone guidance. The combination of speakers and topics has been selected with the specific intention of stimulating new ideas and collaborations in the field of chemotaxis research. The session speakers will emphasize novel unpublished results directly related to gradient sensing and directed cell migration in diverse fields. Young investigators will be encouraged to present and discuss their findings in a supportive environment, by inviting up to 15-20 additional speakers from submitted abstracts and by holding four poster sessions. Scholarships will be offered to encourage participation by young scientists, women and underrepresented minorities.

The phenomenon of resistance to chemotherapy continues to plague treatment of cancer and bacterial infection. Whilst drug resistance should be considered a multi-factorial process the original “Multidrug Efflux Systems” GRC in 2003 highlighted the prominence and impact of drug efflux pumps in the phenotype. The long-term mission statement of the scientific community at this GRC was to provide a molecular description of the multidrug efflux process and to design inhibitors to overcome the actions of the pumps responsible for the phenomenon. The second GRC in 2005 focussed on molecular aspects of resistance to chemotherapy including regulation and bio-energetics. In addition, there was considerable discussion of the clinical relevance and the wider biological impact of multidrug efflux pumps. Efforts to understand the mechanism of multidrug efflux has advanced steadily with significant input from active participants of the previous GRCs.

However, a complete understanding requires the input of structural data and unfortunately this remains a difficult task for membrane proteins. Provision of structural data has begun in earnest and advances in expression systems and extraction techniques have brought us to the cusp for many efflux pumps. This aspect of research will be a particular focus for the 2009 “Multidrug Efflux Systems” meeting. Structural information will comprise high resolution X-ray and electron microscopy data in addition to molecular modelling for proteins whose structures are not fully understood. A particular emphasis will be to relate structural information with biochemical data on drug-protein interaction and chemical synthesis of inhibitors. The emerging structural information thus heralds an exciting period in the quest to circumvent multidrug resistance in bacterial infections and cancer.

The 2009 Molecular and Cellular Bioenergetics Gordon Research Conference will be held at Proctor Academy, Andover, New Hampshire from June 7-12, 2009. A traditional strength of the Conference lies in the structure-function and assembly of energy transduction components, and this will be continued, with the opening Session 1 on the F1-ATP synthase, including the nature of the Fo proton ‘turbine’. Session 2 will cover respiratory chain Complex I structure and function, where the as yet unrealized goal is to obtain a structure of the complete complex and to gain insight into the presently obscure mechanism of proton pumping. Session 3 will cover the V- and P-ATPases that act to pump protons, sodium, calcium and other ions at non-mitochondrial membranes. These pumps differ from the F-ATP synthase in the mitochondrion, and this comparative analysis gives insight into the evolution of each class of pump. Session 4 is an innovation that encapsulates the central theme of the Conference – namely to bring together biophysicists with their knowledge of structure and mechanism and ‘mitochondrial physiologists’ trying to understand how mitochondrial dysfunction impacts on the major neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and Huntington’s diseases. This concept in continued in Session 5 – new aspects of mitochondrial metabolism, where we shall be covering mitochondrial energetics in both type 1 (insulin secretion) and Type 2 (insulin resistance) diabetes, hearing recent advances on the Warburg effect in cancer and understanding the role of novel transporters in mitochondrial metabolism. Session 6 will be organized as a series of round-table discussions focusing on the most controversial aspects of the current field. Session 7 will focus on the unanswered questions on the mechanisms of proton pumping by Complexes III and IV, while Session 8 has the title ‘Mitochondria, Oxidative Stress and Aging’ and will discuss the status of the mitochondrial theory of aging and the roles of mitochondrial mutations. The final Session 9 bridges bioenergetics and cell biology by focusing on the roles of mitochondrial fission, fusion and function.

The 2009 Glycobiology Gordon Research Conference will be held January 18-23 at the Ventura Beach Marriott Hotel in Ventura, California. Please note the earlier date relative to recent years. The Glycobiology Gordon Conference offers a unique opportunity, in a collegial setting, to both contribute to and keep abreast of the latest developments in our multidisciplinary field. Many new glycan functions are rapidly emerging from the studies of tissues and organs of humans and model systems, as well as in the area of parasite-host interactions, and these advances are fueled by equally dramatic developments in glycan structural analysis technologies. Thirteen scientific sessions are currently planned to cover diverse areas of the field, including Structural glycobiology of enzymes and receptors, Mechanisms of glycosylation, Nerve and muscle glycobiology, Chemical glycobiology, Immune cell glycobiology, Vascular glycobiology, Developmental glycobiology, Cancer and cell regulation, Metabolic regulation, and Parasite glycobiology. In addition to the approximately 31 invited talks, ~26 short talks will be selected from poster abstracts, and eight Conference Awards will be available for outstanding abstracts submitted by graduate students, post-docs and new faculty members. All applicants are encouraged to present a poster. The size of the conference has been increased this year to 150 participants but, since registration is limited, early application is advised. We encourage participation of researchers new to the glycobiology field, as well as junior investigators, scientists from developing countries, racial/ethnic minorities, and disabled persons. Please join us for what promises to be an exciting and interactive meeting.

Conference awards will be selected approximately 2 months before the conference (in November), and short talks will be selected approximately 3-4 weeks before the conference (in December). Poster sessions will also be organized at this time by the Poster Chair, Kelley W. Moremen (CCRC, University of Georgia).

For further information contact the Chair:
Christopher M. West
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73104 USA
Phone: 405-271-4147
FAX: 405-271-3910
Email: Cwest2@ouhsc.edu

What makes us all the same and what makes us all different resides in our genetic material. Decoding of the chemical structure of DNA has led to a conceptual understanding of genetic processes. The sequence of DNA is the major storehouse for hereditary information, but epigenetic changes that result in silencing of genes is surfacing as a primary mechanism of modulating the genetic code. Similarly, interfering RNAs such as microRNAs also suppress or enhance this genetic information. The mutations arising from replication errors result in modulation of genome of a cell. These are addressed by the DNA repair processes that do proof-reading, excision or mismatch repairs. It is the goal of the GRC on Nucleosides, Nucleotides and Oligonucleotides (N2O) to aid investigators in learning about the newest developments relating to these fundamental actions in nucleic acid metabolism, as these processes provide a guideline to understand origin and treatment of diseases such as cancer, and viral infections.

While normal nucleosides result in DNA and RNA macromolecules, abnormal nucleosides have become the major class of therapeutics for cancer and viral diseases. Nucleoside analogues have been used for half a century but oligonucleotides are in an infancy stage for clinical use. Nonetheless, they are becoming tools for altering, silencing, and activating gene expressions that allow us to understand the cellular milieu and effect of each transcript or protein. Many revolutionary concepts involving specifically designed RNA and DNA oligonucleotides with novel functions have been shown to be useful in target validation and as new analytical and therapeutic agents. Challenges that were faced for delivery of these oligonucleotides resulted in a brand new field of transport and delivery including nanoparticles.

The 2009 N2O conference will focus on these aspects of nucleic acid. We are planning to have cutting-edge science that deals with nucleosides, nucleotides, and oligonucleotides as tools, as therapeutics, and as fundamentals of our genome.

The second Gordon Graduate Research Seminar (GRS) in Polyamines will be held in Waterville Valley, NH on June 20-21, 2009, preceding the Polyamines Gordon Research Conference (GRC) June 21-26, 2009. Further information regarding the Polyamines GRC can be found at:

http://www.grc.org/programs.aspx?year=2009&program=polyamines

The 2009 Polyamines GRS will be a unique opportunity for all graduate students and postdoctoral fellows with an interest in any aspect of the polyamine field. This is an exciting field that brings together scientists using mammalian, fungal, plant, and microbial models to study polyamines in the context of metabolism, transport, gene regulation, cancer and disease etiology, enzymology, drug discovery and development, pharmacology, and structural biology.

These meetings are designed, planned, and executed by and for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows to foster casual, pressure-free interactions among early-career scientists. Building on the success of the inaugural Polyamines GRS held in 2007, the 2009 Polyamines GRS will feature poster presentations and research talks by participants from around the world, shared meals and social events, and close interaction with a small group of senior scientists in the polyamine field that will act as mentors for the weekend. Depending on your level of experience, you may apply to attend the GRS to (1) interact with other young scientists and learn more about the many aspects of polyamines research; (2) present your work at the poster session; or (3) give a short research talk.

It is our hope that all GRS participants will also apply to attend the Polyamines GRC that follows from June 21-26, 2009. The GRS will serve as valuable introduction to the Gordon Conference experience and will help enable younger scientists to confidently participate in the Polyamine GRC programs. Further, we hope to once again select top research talks from the GRS for presentation at the GRC.

We recognize that conference and travel costs are an important consideration for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, and we are working diligently to significantly defray the costs of attending the Polyamines GRS for each accepted participant. If you are interested in attending the 2009 Polyamines GRS, you are encouraged to contact the meeting Chair, Andrew Goodwin (Johns Hopkins University, agoodwi9@jhmi.edu, (410) 955-4639) as soon as possible. Please provide the following information: institution, research mentor, years of graduate studies or postdoctoral training, and a brief description of your research interests in the polyamines field.

Gordon Research Conference on “Nitric Oxide (NO)” is designed to provide chemists, biologists, cell biologists, clinicians and other scientists with state of the art knowledge on the basic structure/function relationships of NO generating systems and the biology of NO as a signaling molecule in physiological and pathophysiological states. Sessions will include the chemical and molecular mechanism of action of nitric oxide in cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases as well as cancer. Specific sessions will focus on basic chemistry and biochemistry with emphasis on the mechanisms of NO action at various levels of NO and its role in cardiovascular, neurodegenerative disease and cancer. In addition, there are two prominently featured poster sessions selected from abstracts submitted to the meeting and a special "hot topics" session that encourages last minute submissions of exciting findings from new or established investigators culminating in awards for outstanding junior investigators. The main strength of this meeting is the opportunity for cross disciplinary interactions in a highly focused, yet informal intellectually stimulating atmosphere. The Gordon Conference on NO plays an essential role in exploring new vistas in this important translational field.

The insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) are essential regulators of normal somatic growth during childhood and are critical agents of tissue repair and regeneration throughout the lifespan. IGFs also may play deleterious roles in human disease, including potentially facilitating the survival and metastasis of cancer cells, contributing to the chronic vascular defects in diabetes mellitus, and possibly exerting a negative impact on aging. The focus of the 2009 Gordon Research Conference on Insulin-like Growth Factors in Physiology and Disease will be on these disparate functions of the IGFs, with an emphasis on the molecular and biochemical basis of IGF actions in the contexts of aging and regenerative medicine, cardiovascular biology, cancer, and metabolic disease. These topics and others will be presented by leading scientists in these fields. There will be additional opportunities for discussions during poster presentations and short talks, which will spotlight the research of new investigators, post-doctoral scientists, and graduate students, as well as during informal gatherings in afternoons and evenings. Keys goals will be to understand mechanisms of regulation of IGF production, to elucidate the signal transduction pathways mediated by the IGF-I receptor that control the different effects of the IGFs, and to discern the multi-factorial roles of IGF binding proteins in both physiological and pathological contexts. An additional emphasis will be on defining new opportunities for therapeutic interventions that will enhance the positive physiological actions of the IGFs and blunt their negative effects.

The Gordon Conference on Signal Transduction within the Nucleus will be the third one of a series held every other year. This conference provides an outstanding forum to present and discuss new findings for how signaling pathways participate in the regulation of nuclear processes. The unique angle established in the past meetings is the synergy gained from participants taking interdisciplinary approaches to connect signaling pathways to nuclear functions. This will be strengthened and enhanced in the 2009 meeting. Elucidating the mechanisms by which nuclear enzymes and macromolecular machines contribute to allowing an organism to respond and survive in an ever-chaning enviroment will be essential to gain a full understanding of the nuclear dysfunctions that contribute directly to disease processes, including cancer biology and genetic disorders.

The meeting will convene approximately 35 invited speakers representing key areas of nuclear signal transduction, with a total of 150 participants. The program will consist of morning and evening sessions that broadly address cutting-edge issues in the following areas: nucleo-cytoplasmic signaling, nuclear lipid signaling, nuclear receptor signaling, agonist-induced nuclear lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, chromatin regulation, DNA damage/repair pathways, nuclear organization and spatial architecture, nuclear membrane dynamics, RNA processing and export, and control of nuclear division. Small, intensive poster sessions will be convened in the later afternoons, allowing all participants to contribute to and learn about these topics. Informal discussions among established and junior principal investigators, postdoctoral fellows, and students will be stimulated during early-afternoon and late-evening breaks. We anticipate that this will be a highly novel meeting that offers the opportunity for investigators studyiing many newly discovered signaling pathways and nuclear functions to be connected.

The Gordon Vascular Biology conferences have been inaugurated 21 years ago and have become a highly anticipated event in the field. The study of vascular biology continues to proceed at a remarkable pace. Many new molecules relevant to vascular development and angiogenesis have been discovered in the last 2 years. Importantly, advances in vascular biology have contributed to the development of many new therapies and preventive strategies.

The 2009 conference will cover a variety of traditional as well as novel vascular biology topics including development of the vascular system, cell-cell and cell-matrix communications, proteoglycans and the vasculature, intracellular signaling, vascular permeability and maintenance, and hypoxia and metabolic regulation. The meeting will bring together speakers, discussants and participants that represent a wide range of disciplines, approaches and systems. The small size of the conference and the informal atmosphere will facilitate discussion and interactions. The theme of the conference makes it highly relevant to scientists working in various disciplines such as developmental, cell and molecular biology, genetics, cell signaling, and immunology among others, as well physicians and scientists seeking better understanding and treatment of various disease processes including cancer, cardiovascular disease and inflammation.

Metalloproteinases have emerged as critical posttranslational regulators of diverse cellular functions, mediated by their ability to act on a variety of substrate proteins. These include secreted molecules, such a chemokines and growth factors, matrix molecules such as laminins and collagens, and membrane anchored proteins, such as TNFα, TGFα, RANK-ligand and Notch. The consequences of metalloproteinase catalysis are broad, resulting in activation or inactivation of their substrate proteins, or modulation of the substrate’s functional properties or range of action. So it is not surprising that metalloproteinases function as key molecules in development, repair, and in the pathogenesis of diseases such as cancer, arthritis, and cardiovascular and neurological disorders. The wide range of metalloproteinase functions has attracted the attention of a vibrant and interactive group of scientists from diverse fields, whose major goals are to unveil the structural basis of metalloproteinase activity and inhibition, define their functions and substrate profile in physiological and pathological conditions and develop novel approaches to control unregulated proteolysis in disease.

The MMP Gordon Research Conference provides an outstanding international forum for interactions and exchange of ideas between metalloproteinase researchers from all corners of the world. The 2009 MMP GRC will be held in the spectacular surroundings of the Swiss Alps in Le Diablerets, and will address the structural, biochemical, and cell biological properties of metalloproteinases, their contributions to development and disease, and recent efforts to develop pharmacological inhibitors. In a departure from the organization of earlier MMP Gordon Conferences, sessions will not be centered on specific metalloproteinase subfamilies, such as MMPs, ADAMs or ADAMTSs, but instead, will integrate talks on various metalloproteinases functioning in different steps of a common process. The goal of the meeting is to provide a snapshot of some of the most exciting and breakthrough findings and novel efforts at the cutting edge of current metalloproteinase research in different fields. The conference will have an emphasis on unpublished data and will provide ample opportunities for discussions of ideas and concepts. We hope that the conference will appeal to those interested in all classes of metalloproteinases. We specifically encourage the participation of investigators who are new to the field, as well as graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. We look forward to welcoming you to the 2009 MMP Gordon Conference in Switzerland.

Rafi Fridman (Co-chair)
Carl P. Blobel (Chair)