2023 Angiogenesis Gordon Research Conference and Seminar

Gordon Research Conferences, East Greenwich RI

Investigators

Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract This Angiogenesis Gordon Research Conference (GRC), “Angiogenesis and angiostability in development, disease and engineered tissues”, and the accompanying Gordon Research Seminar (GRS, organized by and for trainees) “Harnessing developmental angiogenesis to instruct cell therapies and regenerative medicine” are designed to address the underlying hypothesis that the vast heterogeneity of blood vessels is underlain by unique molecular and cellular mechanisms ensuring their proper formation and stability. A better understanding of how and why blood vessels of different organs, sizes, and morphologies grow and maintain their architecture, despite being under unrelenting hemodynamic assault, is critical to inform vascularization of engineered or regenerating tissues and to normalizing vascular malformations. The goals of the conference are, therefore, to bridge existing knowledge and communication gaps between researchers at all levels (students, postdocs, junior and senior scientists in academia and industry) who study angiogenesis and angiostability and those focusing on vascular diseases, stem cell biology and disease- associated vascular dysfunction, including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and stroke. These fields have recently developed paradigms, tools, and models to aid this goal, and this integration is predicted to move science forward toward the timely translation of basic discoveries. A complimentary GRS pre-meeting will also be included and will be organized by trainees and for trainees. The GRS will feature trainee work presentations to facilitate networking, and provide them with a peer group as they transition into the main meeting. The GRC Chair and Vice-Chair are two female scientists in the field with strong scientific track records and substantial experience in the organization of international scientific meetings. The meeting goals will be accomplished by bringing together a selected group of researchers (about 180 participants) at Salve Regina University, Newport, Rhode Island, for a week from July 30 to August 3rd, 2023. The choice of this venue is based on solid precedent, as this meeting has taken place every two years since 1995 and has proven an ideal setting for the Angiogenesis GRC. The venue and meeting structure are designed to foster extensive discussion in response to presentations of largely unpublished data and to promote informal networking through shared meals and afternoon social activities. Invited speakers are chosen based on excellence in research, topic, and willingness to engage trainees. Participants will specifically be selected to reflect the broad demographics of scientists working in the field. Women currently comprise 53% of confirmed speakers and discussion leaders. Overall, this GRC/GRS will foster lasting interdisciplinary interactions and collaborations amongst NIH-funded and international vascular and stem cell biologists, between academic and industry scientists, and will develop the next cadre of scientists at the intersection of these fields. The design of the meeting will have a lasting impact as it tackles crucial questions in health and disease in angiogenesis research.