Signaling Regulation in the Pathogenesis and Treatment of Disease

Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases (PDEs) are a ubiquitous super-family of enzymes playing a major role in cell signaling by hydrolyzing the second messengers, cAMP and cGMP. The central role of PDEs in regulating cyclic nucleotide signaling pathways has placed this class of enzymes in the spotlight as therapeutic targets for a number of diseases.

The 2014 Gordon Conference on Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases will present cutting-edge research on a wide range of topics related to the role of cyclic nucleotide signalling in the pathophysiology of a number of conditions, including heart failure, hypertension, ischemic disease, metabolic disorders, CNS disorders, cancer, immunity and inflammation. The Conference will have a sharp focus on the role of PDEs as therapeutic targets. The links between specific cyclic nucleotide signalling mechanisms and cell biological, physiological and pathophysiological processes will be highlighted and novel avenues to treatment will be discussed. An update on the clinical progress of various PDE inhibitors will also be available.

The Conference will bring together a collection of investigators who are at the forefront of their field and will provide opportunities for junior scientists and graduate students to present their work in poster format and exchange ideas with leaders in the field, across academia, pharma and biotech. There will be several opportunities for poster presenters to be selected for short talks. For the first time a Gordon Research Seminar (GRS) will be held in conjunction with this Conference. This will be a unique opportunity for younger scientists to meet and discuss their work and to build collaborative networks that will be the ground for developing cutting edge research in the PDE field in the future.