2023 Neurotrophic Mechanisms in Health and Disease

Gordon Research Conferences, East Greenwich RI

Investigators

Abstract

Abstract This proposal is to provide support for early career investigators, post-doctoral fellows, and students to attend the Gordon Research Conference (GRC) on Neurotrophic Mechanisms in Health and Disease and the accompanying Gordon Research Seminar (GRS). The GRC will be held in Salve Regina University Newport RI from May 28-June 2 2023, and the GRS on May 27-28. Neurotrophic factors, broadly defined as factors that have critical roles in circuit connectivity, synaptic plasticity, and behavior, are essential for the development, maintenance, repair, and functions of the nervous system. Importantly, several treatments that exploit knowledge of neurotrophin biology are now in human clinical trials for chronic pain, Alzheimer's disease, and cancer. This GRC is the primary forum for bringing together diverse communities of basic researchers and clinicians investigating growth factor biology in the nervous system. The 2023 Neurotrophic Mechanisms in Health and Disease GRC is unique in bringing together a multi- disciplinary group of researchers in areas spanning fundamental problems in molecular, cellular, and developmental neuroscience to translating neurotrophin biology into therapies. The meeting will provide an important venue to integrate basic research on neurotrophic factor biology with clinical needs and industry interest, with the ultimate goal of accelerating the development and adoption of new treatments for human neurodevelopmental and neurological conditions, psychiatric diseases, and some forms of cancers. The conference will bring together speakers, many new to the meeting, who will speak to the intersection of neurotrophin biology with circuit formation, neuron-glia/immune signaling, stem cell biology, chronic pain, depression, tissue repair, and neurological disorders. Additional topics and late-breaking developments will be incorporated via talks selected from abstracts, specifically encouraging participation of junior researchers. Several features distinguish the 2023 GRC Neurotrophic Factor conference from earlier meetings. These include an emphasis on the intersection of neurotrophin biology with neuron-glia/immune signaling, stem cells, tissue repair, and therapeutic avenues, recruitment of a cohort of investigators new to the meeting who will speak to these emerging areas and provide fresh perspectives, robust representation of speakers who are women (57.1%), and from historically under-represented groups in academia (20%), introduction of an associated two- day GRS for students and postdoctoral scientists to facilitate networking among junior scientists, and introduction of a faculty mentoring system for junior trainees.