Translating Signaling Mechanisms into Therapy

During the past 20 years, progress in the biology of bones and teeth has been impressive and the Bones and Teeth Gordon Research Conference (B&T GRC) has been the leading venue for the first announcements and discussion of break-through discoveries. Diseases of bones, joints and teeth, such as osteoporosis, osteopetrosis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, bone cancer, periodontal disease and other tooth infections resulting in tooth loss, as well as a large group of genetic disorders affecting the skeletal system, are major contributors to morbidity and mortality in developing and industrialized countries. Research into the genetic, cellular and molecular mechanisms by which skeletal and dental structures develop, grow, are maintained during postnatal life, and degenerate with age, continues therefore to have high priority. The research challenges in this field are diverse and substantial. The skeleton is composed of numerous tissues and the functions are many and complex. Skeletal research must therefore be multidisciplinary and multidimensional. It includes cell and developmental biology and genetics, endocrinology, anatomy and pathology, systems biology/physiology, the biology of aging and tissue-engineering.

The theme of the 2011 B&T GRC was evolution and development of bones and teeth. From this, it became apparent that highly conserved signaling mechanisms occur within the cells of hard tissues, between the cellular components of hard tissues, and ultimately, between hard tissue and other organs. As such, a basic understanding of signaling mechanisms gained from the study of genetic models to validation in postnatal situations offers enormous opportunities for translation into potential therapies to address both rare and common diseases. Hence, we believe that we are well positioned to bring together diverse investigators and trainees to present and discuss these signaling mechanisms and the potential for clinical translation. As such, the theme of the 2014 B&T GRC will be "Translating Signaling Mechanisms into Therapy." An important aspect of the meeting will be to integrate short presentations on clinical trial results to provide context for the emerging signaling mechanisms that will be discussed.

In addition, based on the extremely successful Gordon Research Seminar (GRS) that preceded the 2009 and 2011 B&T GRC, another GRS, focused on "Understanding Developmental Mechanisms for Skeletal Regeneration" will be held prior to the GRC. It will be a forum for graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and other scientists with comparable levels of experience and education to present and exchange new data and cutting edge ideas.