Heterogeneity in Mammary Gland Development and Breast Cancer

The 2019 Gordon Conference in Mammary Gland Biology will focus on the complex epithelial-epithelial and epithelial-stromal interactions that drive both normal mammary gland and breast cancer biology. This meeting is unique in that it brings together developmental and cancer biologists, with a focus not only on the normal development of the mammary gland and on important issues such as epithelial morphogenesis, lactation and involution, but also on how the biology of the normal mammary gland informs us about breast cancer biology. The consideration of normal mammary biology in the context of breast oncogenesis is a key component of this meeting, as issues such as those highlighted in our meeting below, are relevant to both the developing mammary gland and to breast tumor onset and progression. This year’s program will focus on cutting edge advances in our understanding of epithelial heterogeneity, stromal-epithelial interactions, metabolism and epigenetics in the context of normal mammary gland development. Furthermore, we will explore how aberrant regulation of these processes through environmental and genetic mechanisms contributes to oncogenesis and tumor progression using emerging cell and animal models. Speakers and poster presenters are asked to include as much unpublished work as possible and we encourage applications reporting novel unexpected findings, or unconventional mechanisms, models and approaches.

The conference has a longstanding tradition of excellent interactions across all levels of investigators, including graduate students and senior faculty members, and is renowned for its energetic discussions of cutting edge science, interactive poster sessions, and social time to encourage interactions between all members attending. In addition, the meeting includes informal interactions to promote the careers of young scientists ("meet the expert" lunches), with a specific afternoon session dedicated to issues faced by female scientists embarking on a career in science (the GRC "power hour"). The Mammary Gland Biology GRC will be preceded by the highly successful Mammary Gland Gordon Research Seminar (GRS) in which graduate students and post-doctoral fellows present their work in a forum prior to the arrival of their mentors. Students and post-docs are encouraged to apply to both meetings.