Research Synergies for Chemical and Biological Defense

The theme of the 2015 Gordon Research Conference on Chemical and Biological Terrorism Defense is "Research Synergies for Chemical and Biological Defense". This conference will highlight the highly multi-disciplinary, cutting-edge research in the field of chemical and biological defense; talks will focus on chemical agents and bioterrorism-related pathogens that impact humans, plants, and/or animals.

The 2015 GRC will provide investigators active in bio- or chemical-defense the unique opportunity to identify scientific common ground, or "synergies," with the goal of spurring new collaborative research areas. Although historically considered as disparate disciplines, bio- and chemical defense research clearly shares common scientific ground (e.g. host-response to biological or chemical neuro-active agents, real time detection technologies, etc.). The 2015 GRC will promote these synergies by designing scientific sessions specifically to engage members of both the bio- and chemical-defense research communities simultaneously, focusing largely on cutting edge work that demonstrates how basic research stimulates translational breakthroughs important for the health of humans, animals and plants.

The 2015 Conference will be preceded by the Gordon Research Seminar (GRS) on the same topic. The GRS is planned by and for pre-doctoral and post-doctoral trainees in the field of chemical and biological defense on topics related to those listed above. This unique forum provides an opportunity for our future leaders in the field to present their research as lectures and posters in a collegial and interactive environment.

Goals for the 2015 Conference are to focus on cutting edge basic research, encourage participation of junior scientists and graduate students, and integrate multi-disciplinary approaches relevant to both chemical and biological threats. The Conference will provide a forum for interaction between scientists from a variety of disciplines and afford an opportunity for a robust interdisciplinary discussion of the topics presented and the challenges that lie ahead.