The Gordon Research Conference on Nucleic Acids was first established more than 50 years ago. Since that time the field of nucleic acids has exploded with tremendous discoveries regarding the chemistry, functional potential and biologic significance of nucleic acids. Through all of these advances the Nucleic Acids GRC has provided a critical forum for discussion of new ideas and interaction between investigators specializing in all the diverse areas of nucleic acids research. In particular, the past decade has brought renewed recognition and excitement regarding the breadth of nucleic acid functions in cells (i.e. all classes of ncRNAs) and the extent to which various steps in nucleic acids biosynthesis and processing are mechanistically intertwined. The involvement of RNAi in chromatin silencing and remodeling is a prime example for the usefulness of bringing seemingly diverse areas of nucleic acid researchers together. The 2009 meeting of the Nucleic Acids GRC will highlight recent advances in these areas of DNA and RNA biology, biochemistry and biophysics with a view toward identifying emerging concepts and technologies in these fields. Specific topics of discussion will include: DNA recombination and repair, DNA replication, Transcription and chromatin dynamics, pre-mRNA processing, small non-coding RNAs, Ribosome assembly and function, Regulation of translation and Catalytic RNA. Young scientists, or those newly engaged in nucleic acids research, will be particularly encouraged to attend and present; with time built into the schedule for short talks selected from submitted abstracts.

Developmental Biology is at the center of the Life Sciences. Developmental biologists discovered inductive tissue interactions, thus creating the field of cell-cell signaling. Developmental biologists have uncovered the basic biological processes of embryogenesis and pattern formation, organogenesis, neurogenesis and sex determination, aging and cell death, cell and tissue polarity, and epigenetics. Developmental biologists were the first to clone animals, revealing that adult nuclei contain all genetic information and setting up one of the major questions of biology - understanding the differential control of gene expression. Developmental biologists have discovered microRNAs and morphogens, defined and dissected the major signaling pathways, and uncovered fundamental principles of differential gene regulation. Developmental biologists have also provided important technological advances, from in situ hybridization and genome manipulation to in vivo imaging and RNAi. Developmental biologists have advanced our understanding of how organisms evolve (“EvoDevo�), have provided the foundations for stem cell biology and tissue engineering, have created the context to understand human birth defects and disease, and have started to provide a rich playing field for genomics and systems biology. The impact of the field is a result of the study of simple and complex whole organisms (rather than isolated cells or molecules) using a wide variety of technological and intellectual approaches. As these studies continue and expand into new areas such as regeneration, systems biology, and growth control, we can expect major contributions in the coming years. Hence, Developmental Biology has been and will continue to be a core discipline of the Life Sciences and is transforming the Medical Sciences.

The Gordon Research Conferences on Developmental Biology have been recognized for over thirty years as the preeminent mid-sized conferences for developmental biologists. The 5-day meeting will bring together ~150 outstanding senior and junior scientists for ~50 talks, ~80 posters and extensive discussions of the recent advances and future of the field. Speakers will cover classic topics and emerging areas in developmental biology: growth and patterning, stem cells and regeneration, axis formation, evolution, morphogenesis, signaling, organogenesis, and regulatory networks. In honor of the 40th anniversary of Lewis Wolpert’s Positional Information model, there will be a special session on Morphogen Gradients.