Investigating the Cellular and Molecular Basis of Gamete Biology, Fertilization, and Early Embryos for Clinical Insights

July 27 - August 1, 2025

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GRC Education Requirements: Undergraduates or those who have not obtained a bachelor's degree in science/engineering (or acceptable equivalent) are not eligible to apply to attend Gordon Research Conferences or Seminars.

Chair

Vice Chair

Holderness School

33 Chapel Lane

Holderness, New Hampshire, United States

Venue and Travel Information

Application Information

Applications for this meeting must be submitted by June 29, 2025. Please apply early, as some meetings become oversubscribed (full) before this deadline. If the meeting is oversubscribed, it will be stated here. Note: Applications for oversubscribed meetings will only be considered by the conference chair if more seats become available due to cancellations.

Conference Description

The Fertilization and Activation of Development community is thrilled to participate in the GRC Connects 2.0 pilot program. GRC Connects 2.0 matches a long-time attendee at a Gordon Research Conference with a first-time attendee to ensure new attendees feel welcomed and included as a member of the community. Mentors and mentees will be invited to meet at a reception from 5:00 p.m.- 6:00 p.m. on Sunday immediately prior to dinner and the Sunday evening session. Funding has been generously provided by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation for the pilot program. If you are interested in participating, please contact connects@grc.org. Space is limited and available on a first come, first serve basis.

The Fertilization and Activation of Development GRC is a premier, international scientific conference focused on advancing the frontiers of science through the presentation of cutting-edge and unpublished research, prioritizing time for discussion after each talk and fostering informal interactions among scientists of all career stages. The conference program includes an array of speakers and discussion leaders from institutions and organizations worldwide, concentrating on the latest developments in the field. The conference is five days long and held in a remote location to increase the sense of camaraderie and create scientific communities, with lasting collaborations and friendships. In addition to premier talks, the conference has designated time for poster sessions from individuals of all career stages, and afternoon free time and communal meals allow for informal networking opportunities with leaders in the field.

The 25th Gordon Research Conference (GRC) on Fertilization and Activation of Development will focus on the events surrounding male and female gamete interactions and early embryogenesis until peri-implantation. Topics covered will include the molecular underpinnings of gamete maturation and fertilization; environmental and epigenetic influences on gamete function; the evolution of gametes across organisms, including the molecules necessary for the recognition, fusion, and activation of development. Attendees will have ample time to discuss unsolved questions. The presentations will showcase findings derived from traditional research methodologies and cutting-edge approaches. We will explore how these advancements contribute to addressing needs in human fertility and non-hormonal contraception.

This conference will bring together a diverse group of junior and senior investigators from more than 30 countries. Approximately half of the speakers will be invited, whereas other presenters will be selected from submitted abstracts and poster presentations, emphasizing the work of junior researchers and trainees. All attendees are encouraged to participate in the "Power Hour," an informal gathering to foster open dialogue regarding the challenges faced by diverse scientists, especially those underrepresented in science. This session is an excellent venue for sharing experiences and discussing solutions to promote inclusivity and diversity within the scientific community. Attendees will have opportunities to engage in informal scientific discussions with researchers of diverse and multi-disciplinary backgrounds. This GRC is preceded by the Gordon Research Seminar, which provides a forum for graduate students, post-docs, and young investigators to discuss their work. This GRC will be at the Holderness School, New Hampshire, which allows easy access to outdoor activities every afternoon in a beautiful and relaxing setting.

Due to limited accommodations at this venue, guest housing is limited. To request family/guest housing, contact your Conference Operations Associate.

Related Meeting

This GRC will be held in conjunction with the "Fertilization and Activation of Development" Gordon Research Seminar (GRS). Those interested in attending both meetings must submit an application for the GRS in addition to an application for the GRC. Refer to the associated GRS program page for more information.

Conference Program

Sunday
2:00 pm - 9:00 pm	Arrival and Check-in
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm	Dinner
7:30 pm - 7:40 pm	Introductory Comments by GRC Staff / Welcome and Introduction from the Chairs
7:40 pm - 9:30 pm	Evolution of Gametes and Fertilization Mechanisms Discussion Leader:
7:40 pm - 7:45 pm	Introduction by Discussion Leader
7:45 pm - 8:10 pm	"Sperm Development in Drosophila"
8:10 pm - 8:20 pm	Discussion
8:20 pm - 8:45 pm	"Egg Size Plasticity in the Reproductively Specialized Queens of Honey Bees"
8:45 pm - 8:55 pm	Discussion
8:55 pm - 9:20 pm	"Ancient Molecular Origins of Fertilization Failure"
9:20 pm - 9:30 pm	Discussion
Monday
7:30 am - 8:30 am	Breakfast
8:30 am - 9:00 am	Group Photo
9:00 am - 12:30 pm	Sperm Maturation, Function, and Guidance Discussion Leader:
9:00 am - 9:10 am	Introduction by Discussion Leader
9:10 am - 9:35 am	"Sperm Specific Cytoskeletal Proteins; Elaborating on Their Role in Spermatogenesis Using Gene Edited Mice"
9:35 am - 9:45 am	Discussion
9:45 am - 10:10 am	"A (male) Na⁺/H⁺ Exchanger with Potential"
10:10 am - 10:20 am	Discussion
10:20 am - 10:50 am	Coffee Break
10:50 am - 11:15 am	"Mammalian CatSper: A Fresh Perspective on an Essential Channel"
11:15 am - 11:25 am	Discussion
11:25 am - 11:50 am	"Protecting Paternal Chromosomes from Premature Division in the Drosophila Egg"
11:50 am - 12:00 pm	Discussion
12:00 pm - 12:10 pm	Short Talk Selected from Poster Abstracts
12:10 pm - 12:15 pm	Discussion
12:15 pm - 12:25 pm	Short Talk Selected from Poster Abstracts
12:25 pm - 12:30 pm	Discussion
12:30 pm - 1:30 pm	Lunch
1:30 pm - 4:00 pm	Free Time
4:00 pm - 6:00 pm	Poster Session
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm	Dinner
7:30 pm - 9:30 pm	Oogenesis and Preparation for Fertilization Discussion Leader:
7:30 pm - 7:45 pm	Introduction by Discussion Leader
7:45 pm - 8:10 pm	"Meiotic Midbodies: Large Extracellular Vesicles That Contribute to Embryonic Development"
8:10 pm - 8:20 pm	Discussion
8:20 pm - 8:45 pm	"Mechanics of Oocyte Divisions and Impact on Competence"
8:45 pm - 8:55 pm	Discussion
8:55 pm - 9:20 pm	"Imaging Approaches to Understand the Events During the Oocyte-to-Embryo Transition"
9:20 pm - 9:30 pm	Discussion
Tuesday
7:30 am - 8:30 am	Breakfast
9:00 am - 12:30 pm	The Influence of the Reproductive Tract and the Environment on Fertilization Discussion Leader:
9:00 am - 9:25 am	"Contribution of the Epididymis to Early Embryo Development"
9:25 am - 9:35 am	Discussion
9:35 am - 9:45 am	Introduction by Discussion Leader
9:45 am - 10:10 am	"Saving Eggs: The Cumulative Impact of Ovulation on Fertility and Reproductive Lifespan"
10:10 am - 10:20 am	Discussion
10:20 am - 10:50 am	Coffee Break
10:50 am - 11:15 am	"Oviductin: A Key Regulator of Species-Specific Mammalian Fertilization"
11:15 am - 11:25 am	Discussion
11:25 am - 11:50 am	"Cytoplasmic Mechanics, Aging and Rejuvenation of Mammalian Oocytes"
11:50 am - 12:00 pm	Discussion
12:00 pm - 12:10 pm	Short Talk Selected from Poster Abstracts
12:10 pm - 12:15 pm	Discussion
12:15 pm - 12:25 pm	Short Talk Selected from Poster Abstracts
12:25 pm - 12:30 pm	Discussion
12:30 pm - 1:30 pm	Lunch
1:30 pm - 4:00 pm	Free Time
4:00 pm - 6:00 pm	Poster Session
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm	Dinner
7:30 pm - 9:30 pm	The Molecular Basis of Sperm-Egg Interaction Discussion Leader:
7:30 pm - 7:45 pm	Introduction by Discussion Leader
7:45 pm - 8:10 pm	"Components and Assembly of the C. Elegans Fertilization Synapse"
8:10 pm - 8:20 pm	Discussion
8:20 pm - 8:45 pm	"Molecular Players Involved in Double Fertilization of Flowering Plants"
8:45 pm - 8:55 pm	Discussion
8:55 pm - 9:20 pm	"The key to Life: Unlocking the Molecular Mechanisms of Vertebrate Fertilization"
9:20 pm - 9:30 pm	Discussion
Wednesday
7:30 am - 8:30 am	Breakfast
9:00 am - 12:30 pm	The Events of Egg Activation and Initiation of Development Discussion Leader:
9:00 am - 9:10 am	Introduction by Discussion Leader
9:10 am - 9:35 am	"Double Fertilization and Activation of Seed Development in Plants"
9:35 am - 9:45 am	Discussion
9:45 am - 10:10 am	"Mechanisms Controlling Transcriptional Silencing and Chromatin Dynamics Underlying Oocyte Developmental Competence"
10:10 am - 10:20 am	Discussion
10:20 am - 10:50 am	Coffee Break
10:50 am - 11:15 am	"Trafficking of RNAs and Organelles Regulating Preimplantation Embryogenesis"
11:15 am - 11:25 am	Discussion
11:25 am - 11:50 am	"Mechanics of Blastocyst Morphogenesis"
11:50 am - 12:00 pm	Discussion
12:00 pm - 12:10 pm	Short Talk Selected from Poster Abstracts
12:10 pm - 12:15 pm	Discussion
12:15 pm - 12:25 pm	Short Talk Selected from Poster Abstracts
12:25 pm - 12:30 pm	Discussion
12:30 pm - 1:30 pm	Lunch
1:30 pm - 4:00 pm	Free Time
4:00 pm - 6:00 pm	Poster Session
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm	Dinner
7:30 pm - 9:30 pm	The Science of Contraception Discussion Leader:
7:30 pm - 7:45 pm	Introduction by Discussion Leader
7:45 pm - 8:10 pm	"Novel Genes of the Male Reproductive System: Potential Roles in Male Reproduction and as Non-Hormonal Male Contraceptive Targets"
8:10 pm - 8:20 pm	Discussion
8:20 pm - 8:45 pm	"Antisperm Antibodies Targeting the Egg–Sperm Fertilization Complex"
8:45 pm - 8:55 pm	Discussion
8:55 pm - 9:20 pm	Late-Breaking Topic
9:20 pm - 9:30 pm	Discussion
Thursday
7:30 am - 8:30 am	Breakfast
8:30 am - 9:00 am	Business Meeting Nominations for the Next Vice Chair(s); Complete the GRC Evaluation Forms; Election of the Next Vice Chair(s)
9:00 am - 12:30 pm	Technologies for Understanding and Improving Reproduction Discussion Leader:
9:00 am - 9:10 am	Introduction by Discussion Leader
9:10 am - 9:35 am	"Microfluidics and Machine Learning for Understanding Reproduction"
9:35 am - 9:45 am	Discussion
9:45 am - 10:10 am	"High-Resolution Cryo-EM Structures of Sperm Axonemes Across Diverse Species"
10:10 am - 10:20 am	Discussion
10:20 am - 10:50 am	Coffee Break
10:50 am - 11:15 am	"Reconstructing Fertilization Using Biomimetic Particle-Based Systems"
11:15 am - 11:25 am	Discussion
11:25 am - 11:50 am	"Construction of Gene Regulatory Networks in Oocytes"
11:50 am - 12:00 pm	Discussion
12:00 pm - 12:10 pm	Short Talk Selected from Poster Abstracts
12:10 pm - 12:15 pm	Discussion
12:15 pm - 12:25 pm	Short Talk Selected from Poster Abstracts
12:25 pm - 12:30 pm	Discussion
12:30 pm - 1:30 pm	Lunch
1:30 pm - 4:00 pm	Free Time
4:00 pm - 6:00 pm	Poster Session
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm	Dinner
7:30 pm - 9:30 pm	Keynote Session: Learning Reproduction and Development from Synthetic Embryology and Embryoid Models Discussion Leader:
7:30 pm - 7:45 pm	Introduction by Discussion Leader
7:45 pm - 7:55 pm	Short Talk Selected from Poster Abstracts
7:55 pm - 8:00 pm	Discussion
8:00 pm - 8:10 pm	Short Talk Selected from Poster Abstracts
8:10 pm - 8:15 pm	Discussion
8:15 pm - 9:15 pm	"Synthetic Ex Utero Embryogenesis: From Naive Stem Cells to Bona Fide Whole Embryo Models"
9:15 pm - 9:30 pm	Discussion
Friday
7:30 am - 8:30 am	Breakfast
9:00 am	Departure