The scope of the 2012 Gordon Conference on the Biology and Pathobiology of the Cornea will include the cornea and supporting tissues. Sessions will cover a wide range of topics, including development, homeostasis, barrier function, secretion, transparency, response to challenges such as infection, inflammation and dry eye, repair, and tissue engineering/regeneration. Emphasis will be on current challenges in cell and molecular biology as they relate to both basic research and translation to the clinic. The Conference will bring together a collection of investigators at the forefront of their field, and will provide opportunities for junior scientists and trainees to present their work in poster format and to exchange ideas with leaders in the field. Following the GRC philosophy, the conference will emphasize new unpublished research, informal discussions, poster presentations, career networking, and opportunities for involvement of young scientists and students. Late breaking hot topic talks will be selected from submitted abstracts. The collegial atmosphere of this Conference, with programmed discussion time and opportunities for informal gatherings, provides an avenue for scientists from different disciplines to brainstorm and promotes cross-disciplinary collaborations.