The Elastin and Elastic Fibers Gordon Research Conference is the leading international forum for the presentation and discussion of new research on elastic fiber molecules and the roles that elastic fibers play in vertebrate development, tissue homeostasis and disease. The Conference is unique in the depth of its coverage of elastin biology. Sessions and presentations span topics including evolutionary and developmental biology, high-resolution structural and functional studies of elastin and microfibrillar proteins, modeling of elastic fiber assembly, modulation of growth factor signaling by elastic fiber components, genetic and acquired diseases of elastic tissues, in vivo research with transgenic and knockout animals, and new innovations in the development of elastic fiber biomaterials and their roles in regenerative medicine. Our 2011 Conference will also host for the first time, a Gordon Research Seminar for students and postdoctoral fellows, to foster their development as scientists in this field. The 2011 Conference has a prominent disease and translational focus, with sessions on elastic fibers in vascular, lung and skin biology and diseases. The conference will focus on the most recent, exciting developments in the field from the past two years and stimulate discussion among the participants from diverse disciplines and backgrounds about where the field is going. Poster sessions feature new and most exciting findings in the field, and some poster presentations are selected for short talks. The collegial atmosphere, informal setting, and format of the conference foster opportunities to develop new ideas and collaborations.