Cell-cell contacts exert profound biological effects during both health and disease. Mechanisms promoting or modulating cell-cell contact promote sessile versus motile cell phenotypes, physically integrate cells into tissues, transduce forces that shape tissues and organisms, and pass signals across the plasma membrane. Many of the molecules involved are tumor suppressors or oncogenes, and further include host cell targets that allow for the entry of bacteria, viruses and parasites. Major challenges include increasing our understanding of the processes involved at the molecular level, and determining how such protein complexes or signaling pathways are integrated at the cell, tissue and organismal levels.

The 2009 Gordon Research Conference on Cell Contact & Adhesion will examine conceptual and experimental advances in our field, including relationships with emerging research areas. Focus areas will include cell polarity and morphogenesis. We seek to complement mechanistic analysis with the full spectrum of invertebrate, vertebrate and cellular systems necessary for functional analysis. We will continue to advance long-standing interests in cadherin and catenin based adherens junctions, as well as the biology of desmosomes, and tight and gap junctions.

As a stand-out meeting in this field, we aim to promote an environment that welcomes young investigators/ trainees from diverse backgrounds (note fellowship opportunities on GRC homepage), while encouraging established scientists to embark on novel questions. In addition to invited presentations, most sessions will include speakers selected from the submitted abstracts. The conference format consists of morning and evening lecture sessions, and by design provides ample time for discussion and interaction between junior and senior scientists during afternoon poster sessions, communal meals and other social events. All attendees are highly encouraged to submit an abstract and to present a poster. We look forward to your application, and to a vibrant scientific interchange at our conference’s new and appealing location - Waterville Valley Resort in New Hampshire, USA.

The Bones and Teeth Graduate Research Seminar (GRS) - "Advances in the Understanding of Bone And Cartilage Development" will take place on July 11&12, 2009 at the University of New England. The GRS is to be held on the Saturday and Sunday preceding the 2009 Bones and Teeth Gordon Research Conference –and attendees of this conference are encouraged to attend both meetings. Please note there are separate application/registration processes for the two meetings.

The GRS is open to young scientists (graduate students and post-doctoral researchers) and will provide a unique forum for participants to present and exchange new data and ideas. The focus of this GRS will be on recent advances in understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms regulating bone cell differentiation and development of the skeletal system. All oral presentations will be chosen from submitted abstracts and given by student or post-doc participants. The Saturday afternoon session will be led by Dr. Jack Martin of the University of Melbourne, Australia, and the Sunday morning session will be led by Dr. Pamela Robey of the NIH (and the 2007 GRC Chair). The 2009 GRC Chair, Dr. Brendan Boyce and Vice-Chair, Dr. Bjorn Olsen will also attend. This GRS will provide an outstanding opportunity for trainees to present their work, receive constructive feedback, network with other trainees in the field and facilitate future collaborations. The GRS will also prepare students for the general meeting and create an atmosphere more conducive to higher levels of student participation and leadership throughout the subsequent Bones and Teeth GRC.

All attendees are encouraged to present a poster of their work. The general abstract deadline is June 20, 2009. The deadline for abstracts to be considered for oral presentation is May 25, 2009. Please contact chairs if you have any questions.

Meeting Description

Renewable energy is attracting extensive attention as a result of pervasive concerns about global sustainability and global climate change due to fossil fuel consumption, and solar energy conversion, either to biofuels or through artificial photosynthesis, is a central area of research in renewable energy. The increased focus on solar energy is due in large part to its abundance and wide availability—more energy from sunlight strikes the earth in an hour than all the energy consumed by humans in a year. However, solar energy is both diffuse and intermittent. Thus, large area collection schemes that are still cost-effective must be developed and deployed, and robust mechanisms of energy storage must be designed. Fuels are preferable to electrical forms of storage due to their high energy density and ease of transportation. Thus, development of low-cost, efficient, and scalable schemes for solar energy capture and conversion into fuel will be vital to both future energy supply and global sustainability.

This Graduate Research Seminar will complement the GRC conference on Solar Fuels. This meeting will feature oral and poster presentations by graduate students and postdoctoral scholars currently working in the fields of solar energy capture and conversion, photoelectrochemistry, and catalysis. Two major aspects of solar fuel production will be addressed. The first session will address the capture of solar photons as electrons and holes and their efficient collection. The second session will address the challenges associated with driving multi-electron chemical transformations to produce fuels. This meeting represents an unprecedented opportunity for emerging scientists to discuss and present their own cutting-edge research in solar fuels and to network with the future experts in the field.

Participation

During the course of the meeting, there will be 10 talks, each of which will consist of a 20-minute presentation followed by 10 minutes for discussion. To be considered for an oral presentation, please submit your application to the GRS along with your abstract no later than September 22, 2008. All applicants are encouraged to submit an abstract for a poster presentation and are strongly encouraged to take part in the GRC on Solar Fuels as well. Please note that there are separate applications for the GRS and the GRC.

This interdisciplinary conference draws on the best of several topical fields -- simple liquids, complex liquids, biomolecular fluids, polymers, colloids. In all of these areas, this conference is at the frontiers of knowledge. It spans from the traditional strengths of this conference, to energy and other ramifications of this subject. The speakers have been chosen to be excellent in presentation and provocative in substance.

The Gordon Conference on Liquids has a long history of excellence. The Chairmanship alternates between theoreticians and experimentalists, and this year the job falls to an experimentalist. The evolution of this conference has brought it to the present point where it aims to combine the best of simple molecular liquids with more complex behavior in the field of soft matter. The conference this year will emphasize the freshest topics from the viewpoints of theory, experiment, and computer simulation. This conference aims to cross-fertilize between different communities and to resist their balkanization.

The breadth and depth of the detailed program listed below speaks for itself. In addition, this conference enjoys excellent attendance from diverse communities not just because it is the best topical conference for the physical chemistry of liquids but also because of its additional broader scope - for example, regarding polymers, colloids, and energy. The participants will come together intellectually and socially, and spend an enjoyable week together.

On the final day we will have a session in which the best posters are presented orally. Prizes will be given for the most outstanding posters, especially those presented by graduate students and postdocs.

Welcome to the web site for the tenth GRC on Tissue Repair and Regeneration! This conference addresses the basic science underlying the critical public health problem of inadequate and inappropriate wound healing, a problem that is estimated to affect more than 2 million persons in the US annually. A second major focus of the conference is tissue regeneration, an emerging field that has enormous potential to improve outcomes for patients who suffer substantial tissue damage due to trauma or disease. The program highlights the commonality of repair processes between different tissues and organisms and also considers the influence of disease and other complications on healing. The conference will highlight new concepts in the molecular and cellular mechanisms that underlie repair and regeneration, will explore links between wound repair, tissue regeneration, and development, and will emphasize emerging therapeutics and bioengineering approaches that might improve repair and facilitate regeneration.

Nine sessions are planned which include 1) Epithelium and Proliferation, 2) Innovative Approaches, 3) Bioengineering and Therapeutics, 4) Inflammation, 5) Regeneration, 6) Stressors of the Healing Response, 7) Genetic Regulation of Repair, 8) Fibrosis and Scar Formation, and 9) Stem Cells. The session speakers will emphasize novel unpublished results directly related to repair and regeneration and represent a wide range of disciplines. The combination of speakers and topics has been selected to stimulate cross fertilization and collaboration between the many disciplines relevant to the fields of tissue repair and regeneration. To provide young investigators with a forum in which to present and discuss their findings in a supportive environment, up to 12 additional speakers will be selected from submitted abstracts; four vibrant poster sessions will also be held. Participation by young scientists and underrepresented minorities will be encouraged, and scholarships to support their involvement will be offered. Throughout the conference, interaction among senior and young investigators will be promoted in both formal and informal settings. As for previous Tissue Repair and Regeneration GRCs, this will be an outstanding opportunity to learn about some of the newest and most exciting research in the field and the program should appeal to industrial and academic scientists as well as clinicians in the wound healing and regenerative medicine community.

The 2009 Gordon Conference on the Earth's Deep Interior will push the leading edge of research on the structure, dynamics and evolution of the Earth and planetary interiors. The Conference will address a wide range of topics from a multi-disciplinary perspective. Invited speakers from the fields of geochemistry, geodynamics, mineral physics and seismology will define the forefront of knowledge and set the stage for a freewheeling discussion and debate of the most pressing scientific questions. Specific session topics include the interpretation of seismic tomography, geochemical heterogeneity, plate tectonics and the radial structure of convection, the core-mantle boundary region, the structure and dynamics of the core, the early Earth, planetary interiors and magnetic fields, as well as future trends in scientific computing and numerical simulations. The conference will also provide the opportunity for junior scientists and graduate students to present their work in poster format and exchange ideas with leading researchers. The collegial atmosphere, with programmed discussion sessions and opportunities for informal gatherings, is intended to generate lively exchange and promote cross-disciplinary collaborations.

The Cell Biology of Metals Gordon Conference provides a forum for which bioinorganic chemists, metallo-biologists and clinicians for metal related disorders all meet and discuss the latest advances in understanding cellular metal homeostasis. The complexity of how metal ions are taken up from the extracellular milieu and appropriately trafficked in a cell without causing toxicity is a field of growing importance. An increasing number of disorders are being attributed to disruptions in metal homeostasis at the cellular level. As such, the 2009 Cell Biology of Metals Gordon conference is dedicated to presenting the latest breakthroughs in the cell biology of metal transport, trafficking and detoxification. Talks from leaders in the field will cross multiple disciplines, from the very basic bioinorganic to applied studies of metals in diseases. Sample sessions include: imaging and biomonitoring of metals within organelles, metals and oxidative stress, and metals in microbial pathogenesis, neurodegeneration and hematopoietic disorders. In addition, new discoveries in understanding mechanisms of metal ion selectivity and metal co-factor assembly will be presented. Talks will be not only be from invited leaders in the field, but also from selected poster presentations and will expand from microbes to humans, cutting across multiple elements of biological importance.

The 2009 Gordon Conference on Antimicrobial Peptides will present the latest research on the biology and activities of antimicrobial peptides, essential and multifunctional host defense molecules employed by all organisms for innate defense. The Conference will feature a wide range of topics, such as structure/function analysis, regulation of expression, mechanisms of action, microbial avoidance strategies, human disease associations and model systems, and development of antimicrobial peptides as therapeutics. Invited speakers represent a diverse variety of scientific disciplines, including biochemistry, molecular genetics, microbiology, animal and plant biology, structural biology, medicine, innate immunity, signaling, and drug development. The Conference will bring together a collection of investigators who are at the forefront of their field, and will provide opportunities for junior scientists and graduate students to present their work in poster format and exchange ideas with leaders in the field. Some abstracts and poster presenters will be selected for short talks. The collegial atmosphere of this Conference, with programmed discussion sessions as well as opportunities for informal gatherings in the afternoons and evenings, provides an avenue for scientists from different disciplines to brainstorm and promotes cross-disciplinary collaborations in the various research areas represented.

For over thirty years, this Gordon Conference has been the premiere meeting for the field of cluster science, which studies the phenomena that arise when matter becomes small. During its history, participants have witnessed the discovery and development of many novel materials, including C60, carbon nanotubes, semiconductor and metal nanocrystals, and nanowires. In addition to addressing fundamental scientific questions related to these materials, the meeting has always included a discussion of their potential applications. Consequently, this conference has played a critical role in the birth and growth of nanoscience and engineering.

The goal of the 2009 Gordon Conference is to continue the forward-looking tradition of this meeting and discuss the most recent advances in the field of clusters, nanocrystals, and nanostructures. As in past meetings, this will include new topics that broaden the field. In particular, a special emphasis will be placed on nanomaterials related to the efficient use, generation, or conversion of energy. For example, we anticipate presentations related to batteries, catalysts, photovoltaics, and thermoelectrics. In addition, we expect to address the controversy surrounding carrier multiplication with a session in which recent results addressing this phenomenon will be discussed and debated.

The atmosphere of the conference, which emphasizes the presentation of unpublished results and lengthy discussion periods, ensures that attendees will enjoy a valuable and stimulating experience. Because only a limited number of participants are allowed to attend this conference, and oversubscription is anticipated, we encourage all interested researchers from academia, industry, and government institutions to apply as early as possible. An invitation is not required. We also encourage all attendees to submit their latest results for presentation at the poster sessions. We anticipate that several posters will be selected for “hot topic” oral presentations. Because of the important role that students and postdocs play in the future of this field, we also anticipate to select several posters from young investigators for oral presentations.

The 2009 Gordon Conference on Evolutionary & Ecological Functional Genomics will present cutting-edge snapshots of ways in which genomics approaches are being used to study adaptation of organisms to changing environments, genome evolution and population genetics, as well as the role of genomic evolution in the evolution of complex phenotypes. In particular, several of the talks this year will highlight "global change genomics" and evidence for evolution at the molecular and phenotypic levels in response to climate change. A diversity of sessions will highlight recent results from natural as well as experimental populations, and will cover both non-model and model species. There will be an exciting balance between ecologists using genomics to study adaptation in rapidly evolving systems, as well as genomicists turning large-scale sequence, expression and functional assays to study variation among populations and species. Several sessions will emphasize recent findings on plant ecological genomics. Other topics will include the evolutionary genomics of infectious disease; microbial metagenomics; population genomics of model species (such as humans, Drosophila and yeast); and the genomics of speciation.

The conveners, Scott Edwards (Harvard) and Loretta Johnson (Kansas State University) have invited approximately 25 world-class speakers in these diverse areas, all of whom will be presenting at this particular Gordon conference for the very first time. Many are young investigators with exciting new systems to discuss whereas we also have several established leaders of the field. The conveners are committed to assembling a diverse conference and are actively applying for funds to allow graduate students and others to attend. Although attendance at Gordon conferences is by application, we intend to admit as many as we can on a first-come-first serve basis, and the limit for this particular conference is 165 attendees. We hope to see you there!

The Gordon Research Conferences (GRC) has provided, for over 75 years, the best conferences in a wide variety of scientific fields. The format is quite different from most professional meetings in many respects. The speakers are all invited, and extensive periods are provided for both the lectures and the post-lecture discussions. The speakers are chosen for their expertise, recent research advances, and/or novelty of approach. The participants, limited in number to about 130, all stay in college dormitories, have cafeteria-style meals together, and socialize during the free periods in the afternoon and late evening. This environment provides an international and diverse forum for scientific discussion, to identify research needs and opportunities, as well as fertile areas for developing innovative ideas concerning the conference topic.

Corrosion was one of the very first GRC topics; the first GRC on corrosion took place in 1941. As a result, the biennial GRC on High Temperature Corrosion has a rich tradition, is well supported and regularly attended by the best researchers in the field. Typically about 20-30% of the attendees are graduate students; the GRC format is particularly beneficial for graduate students and other young researchers because of the ready access to the leaders in the field from around the world. All conference delegates are encouraged to present posters describing their own work. The posters are displayed in the area where most of the socializing occurs, so there is plenty of time and opportunity for detailed technical discussions.

Enormous progress in the understanding of the fundamental aspects of High Temperature Corrosion in recent years has lead to dramatic improvements in life time of high temperature components and efficiencies of, for example, chemical processes, combustion engines and energy conversion systems. This has been achieved by a combination of approaches, including improved methods for quantifying corrosion processes, the development of new materials, modification of existing materials, new coating concepts involving new coating compositions and manufacturing techniques. However, continuing demands for a more economical and ecologically friendly use of raw materials and the need for increasing energy supplies foster the development of new, more efficient technologies. Improved efficiencies require higher operating temperatures, while eco-friendly energy technologies have seen the introduction of energy conversion systems that use bio-fuels and fossil fuel plants with oxy-fuel combustion and CO₂-sequestration. These developments can only be successful if materials concepts are available that are able to operate under such extreme service conditions. Many of these material concepts are at the limit of current understanding and knowledge. The 2009 Gordon Conference on High Temperature Corrosion will focus on material performance at these limits of service and will include oxidation and corrosive environments at high operating temperatures, developments in reliable life prediction methods that allow estimation of component life as function of operating conditions, developments in new coating technologies and the application of new research tools to better understand high temperature corrosion.

The above mentioned subjects will be reflected in the list of topics and speakers invited to participate in the 2009 High Temperature Corrosion GRC:

• Transient Oxidation and the early stages of oxidation processes
• Micro-structural features affecting growth of protective surface scales
• Ultra high temperature oxidation processes
• Effect of water vapour on oxidation processes
• Materials issues in Solid Oxide Fuel Cells
• Corrosion in aggressive high temperature environments
• New oxidation/corrosion resistant coating systems
• Bondcoat technologies and advanced thermal barrier coatings
• Modeling tools for predicting high temperature corrosion processes

J.R. Nicholls
Chair, 2009 Gordon Research Conference on High-Temperature Corrosion

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.

The Molecular Membrane Biology Gordon Conference covers advances in organelle biology and membrane traffic. This field is entering a particularly exciting phase as the basic principles of membrane traffic and organization have emerged to an extent where they can start to be applied to understanding the roles of organelles in important processes such as development, autophagy, familial diseases and the invasion of cells by pathogens. It is also becoming possible to link organelles into a larger picture of cellular organization via their associations with the cytoskeleton and with lipid traffic. This progress is being helped by new methodology including high throughput screening, super resolution microscopy and advanced biophysical methods. These developments will be covered by the invited speakers (listed below), along with the latest progress on the fundamental mechanisms of membrane biogenesis and organelle function.

All applicants, and especially those from under-represented demographics (i.e. women, minorities, junior investigators) are strongly encouraged to submit a brief abstract describing their work, and to indicate whether they would like their abstract to be considered for one of the eighteen short talks which are divided between all sessions. We intend to select short talks from abstracts in mid-April and ask that applicants who would like their abstract to be considered for a talk submit their application by April 3^rd 2009.

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.

Overview

The Gordon Research Conference on the Cell Biology of Megakaryocytes and Platelets is the premier scientific meeting focused on the biology of megakaryocytes and the platelets that arise from them. This will be the 3rd biennial meeting that was first organized by Steve Watson and Jon Frampton in 2005 to bring together two groups of scientists with complimentary goals and interests.

Our proposed meeting will focus on state-of-the-art advances in transcriptional regulation of hematopoietic stem cell differentiation into the megakaryocyte lineage, unique biological events of platelet formation, pharmacological advances in regulating these processes, and signaling events regulating platelet function in hemostasis, thrombosis and inflammation. An opening session will focus on the application of new technologies to megakaryocytes and platelets. Three sessions will consider megakaryocyte generation, including roles of new genes, lineage specific gene activation, platelet biogenesis, and advances in thrombopoietin-based therapies. Three sessions will also be devoted to vascular signals that activate platelets, including mechanisms of differential granule release, new roles for receptors and new signaling molecules, and platelet contributions to inflammatory diseases. “Hot topics” sessions will allow junior and senior investigators to present short oral reports. Four poster sessions will also be scheduled, giving junior and senior investigators an effective forum to network and exchange ideas. A closing session will include special guests who will speak on topics of interest to both megakaryocyte and platelet researchers.

This meeting will take place from March 15-20, 2009 at the beautiful, historic Hotel Galvez, Galveston Island, Texas, located on the Gulf of Mexico. With the unique surroundings of wide beaches and numerous attractions on the island, this will be an exciting and memorable venue for all conference attendees.

Abstract Submissions

Up to 9 additional oral presentations will be selected from the application abstracts by the program committee. The "Short Talks" will be scheduled with 20 minutes for presentation and 10 minutes for questions and discussion in the appropriate session. The talks in the "Hot Topics" session will be scheduled with 10 minutes for presentation and 10 minutes for questions and discussion. Presentations will be selected based on topic and potential impact. The application deadline to be considered for a short talk is December 15 - please indicate the session best suited for your talk. Speakers for selected short talks will each receive a waiver of registration fees (includes scientific program, lodging and meals).

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 Gordon Research Conference on Mycotoxins and Phycotoxins offers an international forum for the presentation of leading-edge research on fungal, algal, and cyanobacterial toxins and the organisms that produce them. This multidisciplinary gathering will encompass the biology, ecology, genetics, chemistry and the public health and economic impacts of these natural hazards. In 2009, the conference will convene at Colby-Sawyer College in New London, New Hampshire, June 21-26. The goals of the conference are to assemble a critical mass of leading-edge scientists and students, and to create an atmosphere for creative thinking to advance knowledge of the complex problems presented by these naturally occurring organisms and toxins. Considerable effort is made to provide opportunities for participants, outstanding scientists and aspiring students alike, to interact in relaxed surroundings that promote the free exchange of ideas on topics vital to the future of research on the societal and environmental impacts of mycotoxins and phycotoxins. The 2009 conference will have a particular emphasis on the influence of climate change on the biogeography of toxic algae, cyanobacteria and fungi; the genomics and proteomics of toxin production; the prediction and detection of hazardous events; and the public health and economic impacts of these natural hazards. The conference is unique in that it brings together a diverse multidisciplinary group of research scientists and students who are all ultimately focused on solving similar problems -- ensuring the health of the environment and the safety and security of the food supply.

The Gordon Conference on Motile and Contractile Systems provides a major forum for integrating new developments in cytoskeletal components and their roles in cell motility, intracellular transport, cell division, cellular polarity and organization, and development. This meeting brings together investigators using a wide variety of experimental approaches including structural, quantitative fluorescence microscopy, modeling, biochemical, molecular and genetic techniques and those studying a wide variety of cell types. It affords the opportunity for investigators in actin and microtubule mediated cytoskeletal processes, nucleoskeletal function and prokaryotic cells to interact with each other. This meeting brings together scientists interested in understanding sub-cellular polymers in a variety of systems using different techniques and building physically accurate models. Significant technological advances have fueled studies demonstrating cross-talk between these nanopolymers and deeper understanding of how these polymer systems work in the world of the cell. The "Motile and Contractile Systems" Gordon Research Conference serves a critical role in facilitating the exchange of ideas between investigators working in overlapping disciplines. Several poster presenters will be selected for short talks. The collegial atmosphere of this Conference, with programmed discussion sessions as well as opportunities for informal gatherings in the afternoons and evenings, provides ample opportunity for scientists from different disciplines to brainstorm and engage in cross-disciplinary collaborations.

Dendrites are in many ways the workhorse of the brain. They receive and integrate thousands of synaptic inputs from other nerve cells. Although dendrites were discovered over a century ago, there has been a dramatic resurgence of interest in these remarkable and highly complex structures. This has led to exciting new discoveries on many aspects of dendrites, spurred by recent technical developments - including advances in imaging, electrophysiology, and molecular biology. As a consequence, dendrites are now viewed as a field of study in and of themselves, and promise to unite and shed new light on disparate fields such as membrane trafficking, synaptic and intrinsic plasticity, and neuronal excitability. This Gordon Conference will crystallize the latest developments in dendritic research, from their morphology and development, through to their electrical and computational properties. The conference should be of interest to all researchers and students in neuroscience, as well as anyone who is interested in how the brain works.

Note, a two day Gordon-Kenan Graduate Research Seminar on Dendrites will take place before this meeting and is open to all interested graduate students and early postdoctoral fellows.

Meeting Overview

The Gordon-Kenan Graduate Research Seminar (GRS) on Molecular Energy Transfer will bring together students and postdoctoral researchers who study energy transfer phenomena on atomic and molecular level.

The GRS offers an exciting opportunity for young investigators in this field to get to know each other and interact on their own level in an informal atmosphere. Graduate students and postdocs will be able to share the practical experiences behind their achievements, as well as discuss the frontiers of their science. Attendees will also benefit from mentoring by established scientists, who will lead discussions and provide valuable comments.

The GRS is scheduled to take place January 17-18, 2009, at the Four Points Sheraton/Holiday Inn Express hotel, immediately preceding the Gordon Research Conference on Molecular Energy Transfer. This two-day format is designed specifically to establish connections among the young conferees and promote their full participation in the main part of the Gordon Conference.

Participation

The meeting will feature approximately 10 talks and two poster sessions. All attendees are expected to actively participate in the GRS meeting by either giving an oral presentation or presenting a poster. Therefore, ALL applications for the seminar MUST include an abstract that will be used by the co-chairs to select presenters for the oral and poster sessions.

Only those individuals who submit their application before December 3rd will be considered for oral presentation slots. All other applications, including those received up to the December 27th deadline, will be considered for the poster presentations. All those applicants who are selected for oral & poster presentations will be sent an email with links to a personalized online registration form. The deadline to complete the meeting registration is January 2nd, 2009.

With widespread environmental changes and population migrations, numerous infectious diseases have emerged and re-emerged in different areas of the world. While medically diverse, Emergent / Re-Emergent Tropical Diseases (ETDs) share features that allow them to persist under conditions of poverty, resulting in clustering and overlap of different diseases. Many of these diseases are zoonotic and transmitted to man directly from animals or via vectors, and disease distribution reflects the dynamics of human populations, host reservoirs and pathogen vectors. In addition to many others, the so called "exotic" agents are a continuous major threat to public health systems due to limited experience in case management and lack of appropriate resources.

In this Gordon Research Conference we will focus on two main aspects regarding the ETDs: the first one "Molecular and Cell Biology of Host-Pathogen Interactions" will be devoted to basic research involving different aspects of invertebrate / vertebrate host interaction, such as invasion, homing/latency and transmission. The second segment will focus on "Strategies for Disease Control" as they relate to possible testing in the field.

The intent is to discuss in an integrated manner interventions at the level of both invertebrate and vertebrate hosts. We believe that a scientific program that promotes discussions from basic to applied questions of pathogen-host interaction and disease control will be very informative and productive. We also hope that parallel discussions involving invertebrate and vertebrate hosts will prove fruitful in generating new insights on fundamental questions as well as open new directions towards applications and at the same time, create a multidisciplinary framework for scientists interested in ETDs.

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.

Quantum control is the application of controlled coherent interactions to direct the dynamics of quantum systems. Usually this involves the use of coherent laser radiation to reach a desired target state of the system. The idea that coherence can be used as a tool for control on the quantum scale has origins in chemical dynamics, nonlinear optics, and laser spectroscopy, but the impact is now being felt in many areas of physics and chemistry.

The objective of the conference is to discuss recent experimental and theoretical results and show perspectives for future development, with special emphasis on the following topics:

• Principles of coherent control of quantum phenomena in atomic, molecular and condense matter physics
• Optimal control theory and algorithms
• Applications to quantum information, laser cooling of atoms and molecules, BEC studies, nanoplasmonics, nonlinear microscopy
• Relevant femtosecond and attosecond techniques

The conference program will emphasize the interdisciplinary nature of the field. However, the strongest emphasis will be on Atomic, Molecular and Optical systems, where new control concepts and methods can be tested most easily.

The graduate research symposium associated with the Gordon Research Conference on Dendrites: Molecules, Structure, and Function provides a forum for graduate students and early postdocs to share their research on dendrites with their colleagues. The goal of this symposium is to encourage social and intellectual interaction among young scientists representing the many facets of dendritic research. In addition, several faculty members will join us to enhance the opportunities for scientific discussion.

Selected graduate students and postdocs will be invited to present their work orally, with ample time for group discussion after each talk; the remainder will be expected to present a poster.

The 2007 symposium was successful in fostering communication among the attendees, many of whom reported feeling more confident and relaxed at the main meeting because of the chance to meet and network with colleagues and faculty beforehand. We look forward to seeing you in 2009.

The 58th Natural Products Gordon Research Conference will continue a tradition of excellence in a broad range of areas relating to natural products chemistry and isolation, novel synthetic methods, chemical biology, bioorganic and medicinal chemistry. While remaining true to its foundation of organic synthesis of natural products, the speakers in this years' outstanding lineup will deliver lectures in topics as diverse as catalytic synthetic methodology, the use of natural product like molecules as tools to probe and better understand biological systems, and recent advances in drug discovery. Continuing a trend that has held for many years, the conference will have geographically diverse representation and will include speakers from both academic and industrial settings around the world. Consistent with previous meetings, this year's Natural Products GRC will also include a series of poster presentations that will afford an ideal opportunity to exchange of findings and ideas in an informal setting. It is anticipated that the exciting topics, diverse range of speakers and attendees and highly interactive tradition of this conference will make this year's conference both memorable and enjoyable.

As in recent years, the 2009 Natural Products GRC will be held at the Tilton School in Tilton, New Hampshire. The accommodations at Tilton are comfortable, the staff is friendly and the setting will provide abundant opportunity for recreation and relaxation in the afternoons.

All conferees are encouraged to present poster presentations describing novel, unpublished work and should submit an abstract complete with title, authors and affiliation/address (one page) to both the Chair, Marvin M. Hansen and the 2009 Vice Chair, Jef K. De Brabander via e-mail. Jef De Brabander will be responsible for both organizing the poster sessions and for working with the Chair to select a few poster abstracts for short talk presentations.

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.

Non-intrusive laser diagnostics for the spatially and temporally resolved measurement of temperature, chemical composition, and flow parameters have emerged over the last few decades as major tools for the study of both fundamental and applied combustion science. Many of the important advances in the field can be attributed to the discussions and ideas emanating from this meeting. This conference, originating in 1981 and held biennially, focuses on laser-based methods for measurement of both macroscopic parameters and the underlying microscale physical and chemical processes. Applications are discussed primarily to elucidate new chemical and physical issues and/or interferences that need to be addressed to improve the accuracy and precision of the various diagnostic approaches or to challenge the community of diagnosticians to invent new measurement techniques. Combustion environments present special challenges to the optical diagnostics community as they address measurements relevant to turbulence, spray and mixture formation, or turbulence/chemistry interactions important in practical combustion systems as well as fundamental chemical reactions in stationary laminar flames. The diagnostics considered may be generally classed as being incoherent, where the signals are radiated isotropically, or coherent, where the signals are generated in a directed, beam-like fashion. Both of the foregoing may employ either electronic or Raman resonance enhancement or a combination of both. Prominent incoherent approaches include laser induced fluorescence (LIF), spontaneous Raman scattering, Rayleigh scattering, laser induced incandescence, molecular flow tagging, and Mie scattering and their two- and three-dimensional imaging variants. Coherent approaches include coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS), degenerate four wave mixing (DFWM), polarization spectroscopy (PS), laser induced grating spectroscopy (LIGS) and laser-based absorption spectroscopy. Spectroscopic modelling and validation are key elements to extract accurate parameter measurements and discussions focusing on key energy transfer processes, collisional models, and lineshapes. The properties and behaviour of lasers, optical arrangements and techniques, spectrally-selective and dispersive instruments and detectors are also important determinants of successful measurements and are discussed in detail. Recent developments in the conference have highlighted the application of techniques developed for combustion research that find application in other areas such as biological, atmospheric, chemical engineering or plasma processes.

The Conference will bring together a collection of investigators who are at the forefront of their field. All participants are requested to present a poster and thus the meeting will provide opportunities for junior scientists and graduate students exchange ideas with leaders in the field. Hot topics in the field are featured in a special session selected from contributed posters to highlight the most recent advances and future directions.

Many basic functions of the living cell, such as energy transduction, sensory perception, cell adhesion and movement, cell recognition, cell-cell interactions, nerve conduction and signaling are underpinned by membrane proteins, which control, mediate or drive, for example, active and passive transport of solutes, proton and electron transport or chemical and physical sensing of the environment. As a consequence, membrane proteins are of critical medical and pharmaceutical importance, which is evident from the fact that a majority of the pharmaceutical drugs are targets for these proteins. In this conference we bring together experiment and theory to discuss and understand basic principles underpinning membrane transport processes. We are also hoping that the conference will provide an opportunity for young researchers to present their results and discuss science with more established colleagues.

The GRC on Protons & Membrane Reactions encourages presentations in the form of posters, which play a vital role in the meeting discourse.

A number of fellowships will be available to contribute towards covering travel expenses or the registration fee for young (Ph.D. students or postdoctors) participants. Please apply to the conference chair before January 5^th, 2009. Applicants must be registered at the conference. The application should be sent by email and include a one-page (MAXIMUM) CV. Preferably a web link to the applicant's group/Department home page should be included in the email.

The Gordon Research Conference on Computer-Aided Drug Design, which began its life as the QSAR GRC, has been held every second year since the early 1970s. The conference brings together industrial, academic and government scientists working on computational simulation of ligands and their targets. Because computer-aided drug design covers a wide field of research, each conference focuses on topical areas of innovation and progress, supporting a dynamic atmosphere. A focus for the 2009 conference will on how computational and experimental methods inform each other in current research problems. Topics will include recent exciting advances in protein design and modeling, the role of water in modeling ligand-protein binding, understanding thermodynamics and kinetics of ligand binding, protein and ligand-based networks in biology and pharmacology, and the problems and opportunities presented by the chemical and biological spaces in which ligand design occurs. The CADD GRC continues to offer speakers and participants generous speaking and discussion periods. Discussion sessions are lively and controversy is welcomed; it is a condition of their invitation that speakers give talks on largely unpublished, cutting edge results.

The meeting will again be held in Tilton School NH, where we have been happily accommodated for several years. All conferees are encouraged to present posters; twenty-four presenters will be invited to give short talks to introduce their material. This meeting is typically oversubscribed, and we encourage submission of applications by early 2009. Participants will be a mix of researchers from industry, academia, and government, of different ages, backgrounds, and countries. Despite the popularity of the conference, students, postdocs, and young investigators new to the field should not hesitate to apply.

The 2009 Gordon Conference on Liquid Crystals will address current issues in liquid crystal science, applications of liquid crystals, and areas of biology and medicine in which liquid crystal concepts are important. The coverage of the Conference will be extremely broad, ranging from the latest fundamental theories and experiments into the nature of liquid crystals to the cutting-edge work on the role liquid crystals play in biological systems. Invited speakers representing both academia and industry will come from a wide range of disciplines, including biology, chemistry, engineering, medicine, and physics. This collection of leading investigators will discuss the latest (often unpublished) results within this broad array of disciplines and explore the most pressing questions still to be answered. In addition, the group of participants will include a good number of junior scientists and graduate students, affording them the opportunity both to form relationships with other young investigators and to make connections with many of the leading scientists in a wide variety of fields. All participants will be given the opportunity to present a poster describing their research. The Conference atmosphere will be collegial, with scheduled time for discussion and ample time devoted to poster presentations. Free time in the afternoon and evenings together with common meals will provide a wealth of opportunities for participants to engage in fruitful conversations and begin exciting collaborations.

The Proteins Gordon Research Conference has established a rich history of bringing together experimental and computational biochemists, biophysicists and biologists who study the many aspects of proteins science, including protein structure, folding, function and dynamics. Recent Proteins GRC programs have reflected a current broad interest in the properties and function of proteins in the cellular environment. The 2009 Proteins GRC will continue this focus on post-reductionist protein science, but will also highlight the contributions of classical protein science.

Topics will include recent and unpublished results describing the chemical and physical basis of protein structure and interaction networks, in-cell visualization of proteins, the role of co-solutes in structure and stability, the functional consequences of structural heterogeneity, among others. Discussion leaders with a substantial history in this field will be invited to provide their own historical and scientific perspective on each session topic and presented results.

This conference will thus emphasize the field’s substantial knowledge about the physical and chemical properties of proteins, while encouraging the application of this knowledge to understand how proteins behave and function in their biological contexts. The diverse presentations of new science and historically-informed discussions will provide researchers at all levels - institutional and industrial research scientists, faculty, post-doctoral fellows, and graduate students - with a rigorous and comprehensive view of contemporary protein science.

The 2009 Gordon Conference on Hydrogen-Metal Systems continues the premier advanced research series on the broad subject of interactions between hydrogen and metals. First started in 1981, this biennial science conference has grown in importance and popularity as the R&D world attacks the great challenges of implementing "Hydrogen Energy", a possible long-term solution to both petroleum supply limits and global warming. The Conference addresses cutting-edge research topics such as newly-discovered metal hydrides, modeling of H-M thermodynamics and reaction pathways, metal-catalyzed hydrogenation and dehydrogenation of reversible H-storage media (hydrocarbons, carbon and other absorbents or adsorbents), H-M surface science, nanomaterials, new test techniques and hydrogen effects on the mechanical performance of structural metals, among other possibilities. This Conference will be of interest to scientists, young and old, at the forefront of this field. Throughout the years, H-M Systems has been an excellent means of bringing together experienced scientists, junior scientists and graduate students in the unique open and informal environment of the traditional Gordon Conference. There will be many opportunities for all attendees to hear ground breaking invited presentations and to participate in formal group discussions, as well as informal one-on-one interactions during free afternoons and meal periods. One of the most important parts of the Conference will be contributed posters showing very new results. In 2007, 100 posters were presented on an impressive spectrum of H-M subjects. A limited number of poster presenters will be offered the option of presenting a short oral summary of their poster before their respective session. This is the first time H-M Systems will be held in Europe, in recognition of the major contributions European and other International Scientists have made to this field, and especially this Gordon Conference, over the last quarter-century.

The 2009 Gordon Conference on Atherosclerosis will present cutting-edge research on the molecular, cellular, immunological, structural and therapeutic aspects of atherosclerotic plaque formation and regression. The Conference will feature a wide range of topics, such as macrophage subsets, vascular calcification, vascular progenitor cells, genetic regulation of lipid metabolism, nanotechnology for diagnosis and treatment of atherosclerosis, cardiac valve atherosclerosis, inflammatory mediators, systems biology, lesion dynamics and reversibility, and clinical translation to novel therapeutics. Invited speakers represent a variety of scientific disciplines, including biochemistry, lipid metabolism, molecular genetics, bioengineering, immunology, vascular biology, cell biology and imaging. The Conference will bring together a collection of investigators who are at the forefront of their field, and will provide opportunities for junior scientists and graduate students to present their work in poster format and exchange ideas with leaders in the field. Some poster presenters will be selected for short talks. The collegial atmosphere of this Conference, with programmed discussion sessions as well as opportunities for informal gatherings in the afternoons and evenings, provides an avenue for scientists from different disciplines to brainstorm and promotes cross-disciplinary collaborations in the various research areas represented.

The Gaseous Ions: Structures, Energetics and Reactions Gordon Research Conference is justifiably recognized as the premier meeting to discover the state of the art in a wide range of disciplines where gas phase ions play a role. Topics vary over a range of interests including those in the conference name, ion formation and destruction, laser interactions, cluster ions, and ion-surface interactions. The meeting tradition of involving scientists engaged in fundamental research in gaseous ions and those who apply these concepts to systems of practical use will be continued. Both theoretical and experimental aspects will be covered extensively. Each session will be organized, as much as possible, to start with a small molecule talk and proceed to talks involving large systems including nanoparticles and biomolecules. The meeting has always brought together top researchers in gaseous ions and funds will be raised to subsidize the participation of post-docs and graduate students. Ample poster time and space are available so that all participants are encouraged to present their latest results. Historically these sessions have been very active. In an attempt to encourage active participation, 11 of the poster abstracts will be selected and allotted 15 minutes for hot topic talks. Selection will be done about a month before the meeting.

The conference is moving to the historic Hotel Galvez in Galveston Texas, an AAA four diamond hotel. There are 20 miles of coastline pedestrian walkway across from the hotel in addition to nearby Galveston Island State Park with 4 miles of hiking trails. The hotel has trolley service to downtown Galveston where one can find, gardens, art galleries, historic homes, an aquarium, and aviation museum. Conference tours should be available. For more information see the Galveston.com web site. For further information contact the conference chair, Albert Viggiano.

Despite significant research investments into the detection of explosives and other contraband, including drugs, there has only been incremental progress over the past ten years. Key age old problems continue to persist and present a challenge to the detection community.

Sampling is considered to be the underpinning technique for identification and subsequent detection of illicit substances. Without effective sampling, the target analytes cannot be transmitted to the detector, and the detection technique is rendered effectively obsolete. Are we using the correct substrates for sampling particulates, aerosols and vapours? Are we employing the optimum sampling methodology with respect to the sensor in use?

What exactly are we trying to detect? Is it the target analyte itself, a pattern of signals/signatures, or an anomaly against a complex background of similar signatures? Are we trying to detect several target substances? Is selectivity, sensitivity or both the most important factor(s) for assisting with detection of key signatures and patterns?

How do we determine which signal to look at against a complicated and cluttered background? Can we remove the clutter by statistical algorithms to enhance the resolution of an image or quality of a spectrum? How do we know when to disregard the noise?

We recognise that these challenges may not necessarily be unique to illicit substance detection, they may well be encountered routinely in other scientific disciplines e.g. medical, pharmaceutical, environmental, and materials science to name but a few. We would like to learn from the wider scientific community how they may have overcome these obstinate problem areas.

We aim to engage with policy makers and government, so that the requirements can be better understood, and to engage with academia, small businesses and industry to identify the main constraints in conversion of concept laboratory based technologies into operational field robust equipment.

This conference will present cutting edge, previously unpublished, innovative research in these and other key areas, including standards, biological based detection, new materials, novel sources and detectors. We encourage international participation from a variety of scientific backgrounds, to share their views and ideas, in order to provide a unique forum for debate, discussion and to really drive progress in illicit substance detection.

The Gordon Conference on the Science of Adhesion provides a unique and productive venue for the discussion of cutting edge research pertaining to the broad fields of adhesion and interface science, particularly with regard to soft matter. Since its inception in 1954, the conference has offered a unique opportunity for international scientists and technologists alike to exchange ideas on such diverse topics as molecular design and synthesis of adhesives, adhesion mechanics, theory, interfacial modification, spreading and wetting, as well as how such topics underpin the fundamentals of adhesion science and practice. The 2009 Conference continues these trends with presentations on the synthesis of new adhesives by click chemistry, anaerobic cure chemistry, the mechanics of soft active materials and nanoenhanced adhesives, polymer friction, molecular mechanisms of adhesion, wetting and superhydrophobicity. In addition, the conference has an important evolving emphasis on the fundamental nature of biological and bio-inspired adhesion processes (e.g., geckos and tree frogs) with presentations focusing on the influence of surface topography and polymer brushes on bioadhesion and biofouling, bioadhesive drug delivery, molecular mechanisms of protein adhesion, and forces involved with cell adhesion both within and outside of the cell. A special panel discussion will be organized to discuss future challenges in bioadhesion and specifically the roles that chemists, physicists, biologists and engineers can play in furthering the fundamental understanding of naturally occurring adhesion phenomenon. The conference promotes discourse in a collegial environment designed to bring together a diverse group of researchers at the forefront of the field. Academic and industrial attendees, junior scientists and graduate students are encouraged to present their own work in a poster format. Programmed discussion sessions and reasonable attendance limits encourage the participation of all attendees in discussions and ensure that they have ample opportunity to become acquainted with other participants both on personal and professional levels. Social events and informal gatherings are designed to foster brainstorming across different disciplines as well as to initiate interdisciplinary collaborations.

The 2009 Gordon Conference on Cartilage Biology and Pathology will present cutting-edge research on the molecular and cellular aspects of cartilage formation, maintenance, repair and disease. Topics for discussion have been selected with a view to balance translational and basic research and stimulate work related to repair, regeneration and therapeutic approaches for major diseases of cartilage. The Conference program covers areas of active research and includes progress in understanding cartilage development and evolution, cartilage signaling and control mechanisms, genetic mechanisms of cartilage disease, molecular structure of cartilage matrix proteins, mechanobiological mechanisms in cartilage, degenerative cartilage disorders, and repair, regeneration and tissue engineering strategies in disorders of cartilage. A special keynote session will feature a discussion of biomechanical control mechanisms of cellular differentiation and behavior and autoimmune mechanisms in arthritis. The last session of the meeting will be devoted to research that defines new directions, challenges and opportunities.

Discussion leaders and invited speakers, representing a variety of scientific disciplines, are encouraged to present new, cutting edge science, keep reviews of published data short and emphasize new data and ideas. The Conference will provide opportunities for new investigators, postdoctoral trainees and graduate students to present their work in poster sessions and exchange ideas with experienced investigators who are at the forefront in their fields. The programmed discussion sessions will include short talks selected from submitted poster abstracts. The collegial atmosphere and opportunities for informal gatherings in the afternoons and evenings will promote brainstorming around new and old scientific problems and set the stage for the kind of cross-disciplinary collaborations that are needed to move research on cartilage forward and in new directions.

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.

Welcome to the 2009 Gordon Research Conference on the Physics and Chemistry of Microfluidics!

This 5th biennial GRC conference on the Physics & Chemistry of Microfluidics will take place from June 28th - July 3rd at the Il Ciocco Hotel & Resort in Lucca (Barga), Italy. The modern resort venue is nestled in the Garfagnana Valley in the Apuan Alps. Located in Tuscany on two thousand acres of natural park (near L'Orecchiella Natural Preserve and the Regional Park of the Apuan Alps), the venue will provide a perfect backdrop for the 2009 GRC on microfluidics meeting. The 2009 meeting is the most recent in a series of conferences dedicated to advancing our understanding of the science of micro/nanofluidics. The 2009 meeting will continue this tradition, with sessions devoted to fundamental principles that underpin microfluidic and nanofluidic phenomena. Further, sessions focusing on important emerging applications of micro/nanofluidics in areas ranging from systems biology and nanobiotechnology to energy and clinical medicine are also planned. Emphasis is placed on the presentation of unpublished work, with the intent to promote active discussion among all participants. If you have not previously attended the Microfluidics GRC, we believe that you will find this to be a unique and stimulating forum.

Attending this conference: The Microfluidics GRC has been an oversubscribed meeting with dynamic participation by all speakers and attendees. The Microfluidics GRC is an excellent opportunity for thought-provoking discussion of innovative research directions, lively debate, and a chance to form ties with other researchers working in this field. The GRC also provides an ideal opportunity for junior researchers (graduate students, post-doctoral fellows) to meet and interact closely with more senior researchers. To further stimulate interaction, optional afternoon outings will be included in the program.

We encourage scientists from all levels of academia, government and industry, who are active in the field of micro- and nanofluidics or related areas to apply. While all oral presentations at this conference are invited, researchers interested in attending do not need an invitation to apply. Applications are reviewed and invitations to attend the GRC are extended based on the submitted applications and meeting space available.

Poster contributions: A limited number of accepted abstracts will be selected for oral presentations in specific sessions, based on the abstract quality, level of innovation, and topic area. Please submit poster abstracts when applying to attend.

IMPORTANT DEADLINES: The number of attendees is limited to ~150. The 2007 GRC was heavily oversubscribed, thus submitting an application in early Spring 2009 is recommended. For those requiring visas to enter Italy, please plan early and consult the appropriate agencies.

• Application / poster abstract submission deadline: Spring 2009
• Notification of poster acceptance: Spring 2009

Travel Grants: Vigorous efforts to generate travel award funding for junior investigators (new faculty, postdoctoral trainees, and graduate students) are underway and information will be posted in 2009. If your organization is interested in supporting travel grants, please contact the conference Chairs.

The Carl Storm Underrepresented Minority (CSUMP) Fellowship program was established by the GRC Board of Trustees to provide support for eligible URM researchers (all levels) who will be attending their first GRC. This funding is limited. If you meet all of the eligibility requirements and plan to attend the GRC, please apply early to the program, as applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. For more information, please visit the GRC Diversity web page.

If you are interested in making a financial contribution to the Conference Budget (the general operating fund) for this meeting, please contact Amy E. Herr or Juan G. Santiago.

Ciao!

Juan G. Santiago & Amy E. Herr, Conference Co-Chairs
James P. Landers & Brian J. Kirby, Conference Vice-Chairs

The impact of photochemistry on diverse fields ranging from materials and environmental science to biology and medicine has never been greater. The 2009 Gordon Conference on Photochemistry will highlight recent advances in these key areas while also presenting the latest research on new photochemical reactions and mechanistic studies. Session topics will include: development of new chromophores, light harvesting materials, solar energy conversion, photocontrolled biomolecules, light-triggered amplification reactions, and advanced bioimaging techniques. The Conference will continue its 45 year history of promoting interactions between fundamental and applied scientists, a hallmark of the Gordon Conferences. In addition, oral presentations, poster sessions and informal discussions will provide opportunities for junior scientists and students to present their own work and discuss their results with leaders in the field. Applicants to the Conference are encouraged to submit abstracts for poster presentations in order to gain visibility and feedback on their research. In addition, a number of poster abstracts will be selected for presentation as short talks. The conference chairs (Michael Wasielewski, m-wasielewski@northwestern.edu and Bruce Armitage, army@cmu.edu) can be contacted with questions relating to the program and poster sessions and look forward to an engaging and dynamic conference.

The 2009 Gordon Research Conference on Phosphorylation and G Protein Signaling Networks will present cutting edge research on molecular mechanisms that underlie the action of many hormones, neurotransmitters, growth factors, and sensory stimuli. Organized sessions will discuss new research advances on the structure of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR), regulation of GPCR, G protein-independent signaling of GPCR, G protein-regulating proteins, subcellular targeting of signaling proteins, G protein-regulated effectors, GPCR-promoted signaling into Ras-regulated networks, structural bases of G protein signaling, and drug discovery. The invited speakers apply biochemical, structural, cell biological, genetic, physiological, and therapeutic approaches to address mechanisms of cell signaling and their relationships to human disease and potential therapeutic interventions. The meeting will provide an excellent opportunity for junior scientists and graduate students to present their research in poster format and exchange ideas with leaders of the field. Approximately ten poster presenters will be selected for short talks. A collegial atmosphere, ample informal gatherings, and the programmed conference presentations and discussions will provide an ideal forum for exchange of ideas, development of cross-disciplinary collaborations, and immersion of young scientists in the process of scientific inquiry and discovery.

The Gordon Research Conference on Mechanisms of Membrane Transport has distinguished itself in the past 40 years as a forum that brings together a diverse group of investigators with a common interest in the structure, function and regulation of membrane transporters and channels.

New structures of membrane transporters continue to emerge at a rapid pace, and mechanistic analyses guided by transporter structures are transforming the field. Accordingly, this offers us an unprecedented opportunity to link form with function and encourage productive interactions between young investigators - largely trained in the physical and biophysical sciences - with more established investigators whose experience is in areas such as physiology, cell biology and biochemistry.

All participants are asked to bring a poster which provides many opportunities for people at different stages in their careers to meet, mix, learn and establish new interdisciplinary collaborations. Our meeting is welcoming to graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. One session will be devoted entirely to talks selected from amongst attendees presenting posters.

Inorganic chemistry plays a central and vital role in society, being the key to the operation and development of solar, nuclear, and traditional fossil fuel power sources, the discovery of new nanoscale materials and processes for the microelectronics industry, the production of feedstocks for the entire chemical industry, and the manufacture of pharmaceuticals for human health The Gordon Conference on Inorganic Chemistry is a highly attractive conference because it covers a wide range of topics, so that attendees have opportunities to learn of exciting new results outside of their specialized areas of interest. The 2009 Gordon Conference on Inorganic Chemistry will feature cutting-edge research in organometallic, bioinorganic, materials, surface, and energy-related chemistry, and will include topics in main group, transition metal, and f-metal chemistry. Synthesis of new compounds and materials, their physical characterization, and their reactivity will be discussed. The Conference will provide special opportunities for junior scientists and graduate students to present their work in poster format, and to exchange ideas with leaders in the field from universities, industry, and national laboratories. The collegial atmosphere of this Conference, with programmed discussion sessions as well as opportunities for informal gatherings in the afternoons and evenings, provides an avenue for scientists to network and brainstorm, and promotes cross-disciplinary collaborations in the research areas represented.

Some poster presenters will be selected for short oral talks; those interested in participating in the poster competition should bring a small printed copy of their poster.

The amygdala is a cerebral structure of the temporal lobe that plays a critical role in the expression of emotions and the learning of new emotional responses. Much evidence suggests that human anxiety disorders result from anomalies in amygdala function. During the proposed conference, internationally renowned basic and clinical researchers will present their latest findings on the amygdala. During this conference, we will focus on research investigating the role of the amygdala in the formation and extinction of emotional memories, both normal and pathological.

The 2009 Gordon Conference on Organic Reactions and Processes will present cutting-edge research on three key areas that are relevant to the scope of the Conference. Total Synthesis, Biocatalysis, Metal and Molecular Catalysis. Invited speakers represent the elite of these disciplines. Indeed they have been instrumental in defining them. The Conference will bring together such a collection of investigators and will provide opportunities for scientists from industry and academia to present their work in both oral and poster format and exchange ideas in the field. Some poster presenters will be selected for short talks. In addition several graduate students and post-doctoral fellows will also be invited to participate. The fun and energetic atmosphere of this Conference, has historically promoted deep and productive discussions between academic and industrial scientist and has been a great benefit to the graduate students who participate. The latter have added vigor and excitement to the Conference the last few years. Social events as the OR&P Golf Classic and the Academics vs. Industrials softball game will fill a week of excellent science and fun.

Neurotrophic factors play essential roles in the developing and mature nervous system. Now more than 50 years old, this field of study continues to contribute breakthrough discoveries regarding the fundamental biology of cell-cell communication and the development and maintenance of the most complex and elegant biological machine - the brain. Neurotrophic factors influence cell proliferation, survival, differentiation, migration, axon and dendrite growth, synaptic plasticity and the interactions of neuronal and glial cells. They play critical roles in complex behaviors including feeding, anxiety, depression and learning. Studies of neurotrophic factors may have important implications for the treatment of a variety of neurological diseases including disorders of neural development and as well as diseases of the differentiated nervous system including Alzheimer's disease, Down syndrome, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, epilepsy, stroke, and peripheral neuropathies. No venue for this field provides a better opportunity to learn of recent advances, and to encourage collaborations among scientists and students, than the Neurotrophic Factors Gordon Conferences. The 9th meeting promises to be the most exciting yet, featuring many different neurotrophic factors and their roles in neurogenesis, axon growth and guidance, survival, plasticity, behavior and disease. For the first time there will be sessions on the biology of stem cells and the new technologies for imaging nervous system function at the level of individual synapses, organelles and molecules. Emphasis will be placed on the most recent developments. Newly emerging hypotheses will be addressed, and opportunities to discuss groundbreaking work will be plentiful. Poster sessions and “Hot Topics” sessions will highlight cutting edge studies and enhance interactions. We envision this meeting as catalyzing important new efforts to translate neuroscience advances into effective new treatments for disorders of the nervous system.

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 Polymers 2009 conference assembles an international community for the presentation of recent advances in polymer synthesis, physical characterization, and performance in several complementary emerging technologies. Polymers continue to enable many emerging technologies including tissue regeneration, drug and gene delivery, biomedical technologies, alternate energy, smart surfaces and interfaces, and electro-active devices. In most instances, these technologies require responsive polymers, and polymer design for intelligent response to external stimuli represents an exciting frontier. Lectures dealing with self-healing and shape memory will identify critical design parameters. There is an over-arching need for these technological solutions of the future to also adhere to the principles of earth sustainability. Recent advances in ionic liquids and agricultural based feed stocks are extending performance and decreasing our dependence on petroleum-based monomers. This conference will present recent advances in the design of multifunctional polymers, including both synthetic and biological systems. Supramolecular chemistry including the investigation of electrostatic interactions, multiple hydrogen bonding, and metal-ligand interactions will be described. Moreover, the conference will provide mechanisms for professional networking through evening poster sessions and the participation of industrial, national laboratory, and academic scientists and engineers. The program also will ensure an integration of polymer design with recent advances in polymer characterization techniques with a focus on morphological structure and correlation of structure with properties and performance. This conference will be preceded with a Graduate Research Seminar (GRS) for the first time, which will allow our future scientific leaders to network and meet our current leaders in both academia and industry. Outstanding lectures and posters from the GRS will be identified and highlighted in the subsequent conference.

Confirmed speakers include:

Joseph M. DeSimone (UNC Chapel Hill), Rint Sijbesma (Eindhoven University, Netherlands), David Tirrell (Cal Tech), Craig J. Hawker (UCSB), Karen Winey (UPenn), Stephen Cheng (Akron), Theresa Reineke (Virginia Tech), Karen Wooley (Washington), Mark Van Dyke (Wake Forest), Greg Tew (UMASS), Anna Balazs (Pittsburgh), Joy Cheng (IBM Almaden), Thomas Epps (Delaware), Jerry White (Dow Chemical), Tony Ryan (UK), Ann-Christine Albertsson (Sweden), Timothy Lodge (Minnesota), Hiro Nishide (Waseda University, Japan), Deborah Jones (France), Scott Grayson (Tulane University), Jeff Moore (University of Illinois), Luc Leemans (DSM, Netherlands)

A central objective of this Biology of Aging Gordon Research Conference is to stimulate discussion of the interdependence of genetic, functional and environmental interactions in determining and potentially combating negative consequences of age-related changes and diseases. This includes investigations of structure and function that characterize normal aging and biochemical, genetic and physiological understanding of mechanisms of aging. Critically important for human wellbeing are investigations of the adverse changes that are risk factors, which contribute to or accompany age-related disease states in humans and animal models. Over the last several years a rudimentary understanding of some aging mechanisms have been generated. In organisms such as yeast, C. elegans and Drosophila, molecular genetic studies have defined many of the genes that determine life span and identification of which gene expression changes functionally associate with aging are underway. In rodents, many biochemical pathways strongly associate with aging and life span. These are now being confirmed and further studied using knockout and transgenic strategies. The insulin/insulin-like growth factor pathway appears to be an evolutionarily conserved mechanism that controls longevity and investigations into specific aspects of metabolism are revealing key effectors and potential targets. Thus, our field is continuing to mature as we develop a deeper understanding of aging mechanisms applicable across species and develop strategies to intervene in these processes in order to extend lifespan and health span.

The underlying goal of the program is to encourage participants to critically evaluate the latest insights into the aging process from the molecular to the whole organism, defining rational approaches to health span extension. There will be an emphasis upon aging at the integrative level and consideration of inflammation as a pleiotropic effector of the pathology associated with aging. Lifestyle, genetic, and pharmacological interventions will also form a significant element of the meeting program.