Understanding the Biology and Chemistry of Its Formation, Action and Signaling

Nitric oxide (NO) is a pluripotent signaling and effector molecule which serves important regulatory roles in mammalian cell biology. Every two years since its inception in 1995, the Gordon Research Conference (GRC) on Nitric Oxide offers the opportunity to discuss select themes at the interface of NO biology, chemistry and medicine. What distinguishes this conference series from other meetings in the field is the emphasis on mechanistic aspects of NO signaling and action, its truly multi-disciplinary approach, and a special format that ensures ample time for discussion and fosters stimulating scientific interaction between participants of all levels of seniority. Invited speakers and poster presenters, along with attendees planning on contributing to the “hot topic” session, are encouraged to present their latest findings, to actively participate in discussions and to not shy away from including preliminary data of speculative nature suited to challenge established concepts and/or push research frontiers.

Three decades after the discovery of “endothelium-derived relaxing factor”, a multitude of prestigious prizes and more than 100,000 publications later a molecular understanding as to how exactly NO acts and signals has yet to emerge. While much progress has been made in recent years, with the emergence of “redox signalling” and new roles for the oxidative breakdown products of NO, nitrite and nitrate, many important questions remain unanswered. The program of the upcoming NO-GRC will attempt to cover some relatively under-researched but important areas of investigation, e.g. the regulation of intermediary metabolism by NO, its role in the cellular/bodily ability to cope with situations of relative oxygen scarcity, the significance of oxygen and metals for the fate of NO, as well as exciting new developments in the field. Coverage of the latest research in established areas will be complemented by discussions on questions for which we do not have an answer yet. A cross-disciplinary approach will be sought throughout, with investigators at the forefront of research in molecular and structural biology, biochemistry, chemistry, and medicine, together with experts in microbial, plant and animal/human biology to address topics of mutual interest. The open and relaxed atmosphere of the GRC will make this meeting an ideal forum for the exchange of ideas and thought-provoking discussions between senior investigators and junior colleagues. If there was one important conference in 2011 you plan on attending, look no further – you found it.