The Impact of Computational Sciences along the Drug Discovery Process

The Gordon Research Conference on Computer-Aided Drug Design has been a premier conference in computer-aided drug design since its inception as the QSAR GC in the 1970s. It brings together experts from industry and academia for the presentation of cutting-edge research and for open and stimulating thought exchange. A focus for the 2011 conference will on how the involvement and application of computational methods support the many stages and aspects of the drug discovery process. What is the real impact of these methods on the discovery process? Which techniques are successful today, which areas will require more of our collective attention? The conference will feature carefully chosen drug design case studies and a session on ADMET modeling. Furthermore, many current frontiers will be explored: recent improvements in our understanding of protein-ligand interactions, new application domains for prediction and data analysis, and work beyond small molecules as modalities.

For the first time, the conference will take place in Mount Snow Resort, VT. It is a condition of their invitation that speakers give talks on largely unpublished, cutting edge results. As in the past, there will be ample time for discussion. Discussion sessions are lively and controversy is welcomed. All conferees are encouraged to present posters. This meeting is typically oversubscribed, and we encourage submission of applications by early 2011. Participants will be a mix of researchers from industry, academia, and government, of different ages, backgrounds, and countries. Despite the popularity of the conference, students, postdocs, and young investigators new to the field should not hesitate to apply.