This conference is devoted to an in-depth exploration and discussion of lymphatic vascular research and biology, with special emphasis upon lymphatic development, involvement in human diseases such as lymphatic malformations and lymphedema with adipogenesis and tissue fibrosis, inflammation, cancer metastasis, and therapeutic lymphangiogenesis and its inhibition. The physiology and genetics of the lymphatic system will also be explored.

Lymphatic vascular biology has experienced a dramatic growth within the last several years due in large part to the availability of enhanced techniques and tools for these investigations. There is an unprecedented need for lymphatic biologists and investigators to have a forum in which to conduct a dialogue surrounding scientific developments in this field and to determine the direction of future investigative efforts. Approaches that have experienced a recent upsurge in productive lymphatic investigation include, but are not limited to: genetics, biochemistry and biophysics, cellular and molecular biology, bioengineering, physiology and pharmacology, anatomy, developmental biology, pathology, vasculogenesis and angiogenesis, tumor biology, muscle cell biology, interstitial signaling mechanisms, and others.