ASMB 2023: Tissue, Matrix, and Pathobiology

Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville TN

Investigators

Abstract

We request partial support for the 11th Biennial American Society for Matrix Biology (ASMB) conference entitled “Tissue, Matrix, and Pathobiology”. This in-person meeting will take place October 22-25, 2023 in Salt Lake City, Utah. This is a new multidisciplinary and collaborative joint meeting among three major societies: ASMB, the American Society for Investigative Pathology, and The Histochemical Society. It will feature cutting edge basic, clinical, and translational research related to a variety of topics that reflect normal biology of cells/tissues, and the molecular and cellular alterations that drive disease processes. This meeting will have a common keynote speaker and 3 common Plenary Sessions of interest for all members of the three societies. Importantly, the meeting will have an ASMB tailored program focused on promoting the field of matrix biology in order to disseminate knowledge about the extracellular matrix (ECM) and to translate this knowledge to improve human health and aging and to better treat human disease. The Aims of this R13 application are: Aim 1: To disseminate and integrate new knowledge about ECM and its receptors in health, disease, aging, and regeneration. The ASMB 2023 program reflects the diverse interests of the matrix biology scientific community. It expands and evolves areas of interest for matrix biology, such as the tumor/stroma microenvironment; aging- related diseases involving ECM changes; the role of sex and diet in ECM changes and disease; cardiovascular and musculoskeletal injury and regeneration; bone and cartilage development, disease, and regeneration; tools to study ECM signaling; and technologies for therapeutic intervention and for imaging ECM in health and disease. Aim 2: To contribute to training the next generation of scientists, and to foster the careers of junior investigators in the area of ECM. ASMB 2023 has invited junior faculty to speak in both Plenary and Concurrent Sessions. Each Concurrent Session will have a co-chair chosen from junior faculty and/or senior postdocs and talks selected from submitted abstracts, giving trainees and junior faculty opportunities to present their work. ASMB 2023 will also offer postdocs the opportunity to organize and chair special interest sessions. Career mentoring breakfasts and interactive poster sessions will also support career development. ASMB’s Junior Investigator Award, Founders’ Award, and Iozzo Trainee Awards will highlight junior scientists. Travel Awards will be provided to competitive trainees. Aim 3: To enhance diversity and inclusion by promoting the career of women and under- represented minorities (URM). ASMB 2023 will showcase the work of 5 women (of 9 speakers) in 3 Plenary Sessions; 4 women and 1 URM (of 9 speakers) in 3 Guest Symposia; 8 women and 2 URM (of 16 speakers) in 16 Concurrent Sessions. Of a total of 39 invited speakers, 17 are women (43%). A mentoring breakfast devoted to career development issues particular to women will also be held. In the selection of speakers, we have focused on including those from diverse backgrounds. In addition, ASMB has reserved travel awards for URM trainees. Overall, this conference will be, as it has always been, the seminal conference in the field of ECM research.