Soc Developmental Biology Annual Meetings 2015-2017

Society For Developmental Biol, Rockville MD

Investigators

Abstract

There is a long-standing scientific interest in the field of developmental biology, as development is a central biological problem, as well as an increasing public interest in issues such as evolution, stem cells and regenerative biology, highlighting the importance of the discipline both in terms of scientific advancement and public education. The Society for Developmental Biology (SDB) annual meetings provide a forum to address these broader aspects, and to foster young scientists coming into the field, especially the under-represented and underserved populations. The scientific sessions contribute to furthering our understanding of the processes used by a single fertilized cell to reach adult form with many cell types, in all organisms. The education sessions offer opportunities for bench researchers to find out about more effective ways to teach and mentor the next generation. The meetings also provide an informed discussion forum on topics that are relevant to establishing national policies for research and public understanding of science. The advances in developmental biology have contributed to beneficial practices in agriculture and animal (including human) health, to understanding evolution and preservation of species, and to the well-being of our planet and its biodiversity. The SDB is the largest society devoted to the field of developmental biology, with over 2,000 members worldwide, including undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, junior and established investigators, many of whom hold NSF grants or fellowships. Participants present their latest, mostly unpublished findings at these annual meetings. Thus, the meeting contributes to the advancement of knowledge in the discipline and cross-fertilization of ideas. In recent years, other national societies have joined SDB in our annual meetings, confirming the leadership SDB has in the field worldwide. The proposed meetings will continue the tradition of mixing poster presentations, plenary and concurrent sessions, a postdoctoral symposium, an education symposium and workshops on new technologies, publishing, teaching and outreach, as well as on current issues. In all sessions, a special effort is made to have a diversity of speakers in terms of: model organisms, experimental approaches, career stages, gender and racial/ethnic background. The 2015 meeting, to be held in Snowbird, Utah, will cover a variety of themes and approaches, including: Epigenetic Mechanisms of Development; Imaging: Seeing is Believing; Gene Networks; Tissue Patterning/ Organogenesis; Evo-Devo Mechanisms; Quantitative Biology; Biomechanical Influences in Development; Signal Integration and Timing in Development; Growth and Metabolism.