Cell-Cell Junctions: Integrating Cell Signals and Mechanical Force in Development and Disease

The ability of cells to change shape and move without disrupting tissue integrity relies on the roles of cell-cell adhesive junctions, and underlies embryonic and post-embryonic development, tissue homeostasis, regeneration and wound healing. Alterations in cell-cell junctions lead to human developmental disorders, and, through their role in cancer metastasis, correlate with poor outcomes in cancer patients. It’s an exceptionally exciting time in our field, as cell and developmental biologists, biochemists, biophysicists, and engineers take increasingly multidisciplinary approaches to address the underlying biological questions, and harness this information to better treat disease. The 2025 Cell Contact and Adhesion Conference will feature the latest and most exciting findings in cell adhesion biology obtained using cutting-edge technologies. Talks will focus on the role of cell adhesion in guiding development, behavior, and human disease. We will provide multiple opportunities for trainees and early-stage investigators to showcase their research, gain visibility in the field, and receive constructive feedback through poster sessions and short talks chosen from the submitted abstracts, and through the associated two-day Gordon Research Seminar (GRS) exclusively for graduate students and postdocs. We will encourage community building through shared meals, unstructured free time, and targeted professional development opportunities, to promote scientific discussion, share mentoring advice, and facilitate old and new collaborations.