Biological Discoveries to Transform Respiratory Medicine

The 2021 Lung Development, Injury and Repair Gordon Research Conference will present cutting-edge research spanning basic and translational aspects of lung biology, injury and repair in health and disease. The meeting will provide a critical forum for discussing the latest developments in these fields, including our emerging understanding of the mechanisms and consequences of severe lung injuries associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. While investments in basic scientific research continue to accelerate substantial strides forward in understanding the molecular, cellular and tissue level mechanisms driving respiratory diseases, translation of these findings toward early detection and effective repair and restoration of lung function in chronic respiratory diseases remains a major barrier. Meeting this challenge requires the integration of knowledge from experts spanning lung development, molecular and cell biology, physiology, bioengineering, matrix biology as well as physicians and translational experts immersed in diagnosis, therapeutic development and treatment of human disease. A related goal of the meeting is to strengthen the pipeline and promote the development of scientists and clinicians focused on lung development, injury and repair. Specific mechanisms will be included throughout the program to enhance trainee and young faculty contributions to the meeting, and to foster formal and informal interactions between junior and senior scientists. Exceptional abstract submissions will be programmed as short platform presentations, and young investigators will also be paired with senior investigators to moderate sessions, providing an opportunity to engage deeply in the discussions. The combination of cross-disciplinary expertise and participation by established and emerging leaders will create a unique forum to disseminate and debate the latest findings in the fields of lung development, injury and repair, and to formulate the new ideas, collaborations and approaches that will be needed to translate biologic discoveries toward meaningful advances in respiratory medicine.