Signal Transduction by Engineered Extracellular Matrices

Gordon Research Conferences, East Greenwich RI

Investigators

Abstract

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This is a conference grant application requesting support for the second Gordon Research Conference on Signal Transduction By Engineered Extracellular Matrices. This meeting will be held June 23-28, 2002, at Connecticut College in New London, CT. The Chairs will be Drs. Donald Bottaro and Shu Chien and the Vice-Chair will be Dr. David Mooney. The conference will focus on the converging roles of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and soluble factors for the repair or replacement of tissue lost or damaged due to disease or injury. Emphasis will be on the discussion of state of the art, unpublished research in signal transduction, the mechanisms by which growth factors and the ECM regulate cell fate, and their application to tissue engineering. The program will include oral sessions (each with three to four speakers and a discussion leader), as well as poster sessions (most participants will be expected to present a poster). Two roundtable discussions have been designed to facilitate close interaction between researchers working in the fields of cytokine signal transduction, ECM, and tissue engineering, and a workshop on career and funding opportunities in these areas is also planned. The meeting will be small by conventional standards (approximately 130 participants), but participants will be selected to insure attendance by a diverse group of junior and senior investigators representing academic and government institutions, as well as small and large biotechnology companies. Students and postdoctoral fellows will be encouraged to attend, and at least one speaker in each session will be a junior investigator. In this way the meeting will provide a platform for the development of long term interdisciplinary interactions, and expose students and young professionals to the latest ideas and opportunities at the confluence of signal transduction, molecular and cellular biology and tissue engineering. A special effort will be made to use the financial support requested to facilitate the attendance and participation of women and minorities in this meeting.