Molecules, Cells, Systems, Evolution and Disease

Uncovering the molecular mechanisms by which cells and tissues are organised into the vertebrate head and how we can harness this information for regenerative purposes for craniofacial disorders is an active and challenging area of biomedical research. This conference focuses on the events that control how the head and face are patterned during development, how morphogenetic processes shape craniofacial tissues and organs, and how distinctive features of the vertebrate head evolved, with the ultimate aim to understand the causes underlying craniofacial malformations. It will highlight recent advances in the field and aims to enhance information exchange across different areas of craniofacial research from animal models and stem cell biology, to human genetics and tissue engineering. It will cover emerging new directions in craniofacial biology including the epigenetic mechanisms that control the specification of various craniofacial cell populations and cell reprogramming, evolutionary changes in gene networks and how this controls cell diversity and craniofacial form. The conference will also report on new findings in craniofacial morphogenesis, complemented by discussions on tissue regeneration and repair. It will feature sessions on the genetics of craniofacial syndromes, animal models and new pathways involved in these disorders and on the function of stem cells during development and as tools for tissue regeneration.

The conference will bring together diverse groups of scientists to foster stimulating discussions and productive collaborations across different fields. It will feature investigators at the forefront of craniofacial biology, and provide unique opportunities for junior investigators and graduate students to present their work either in poster format or as a short talk selected from submitted abstracts. The collegial atmosphere, informal poster sessions and opportunities for informal gatherings provide excellent opportunities for interactions, while the Gordon Research Seminar preceding the main conference is a forum for exchange organized by and for postdoctoral scientists and graduate students.