The Gordon Research Conference (GRC) on Polyamines is a multidisciplinary conference focused on the polyamine metabolic pathway, the role of polyamines in cellular physiology and the development of small molecules that modulate polyamine metabolism as potential therapeutic agents. Polyamines are small organic polycations found in virtually all prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Despite their ubiquitous occurrence, the cellular functions of polyamines are not fully understood. Polyamines are closely linked to the control of cell proliferation, and the enzymes of polyamine biosynthesis and catabolism are highly regulated at the levels of transcription, translation and protein turnover. In recent years it has become increasingly clear that polyamines have unique roles in different organisms, and further that the biosynthetic and catabolic pathways, as well as the associated regulatory mechanisms, vary widely among species. Thus, the field encompasses researchers studying the physiological role of polyamines in a broad array of organisms (mammalian cells, yeast, protozoa and bacteria) and researchers interested in therapeutic applications for cancer and parasitic or bacterial infection. This range of scientific disciplines represented at the Polyamines GRC makes for an intellectually stimulating environment for participants.

The 2011 conference will feature presentations from scientists in the forefront of polyamine research. Speakers will emphasize the role of the polyamines in carcinogenesis, diseases of energy metabolism and parasite pathogenesis. The meeting will include presentations on drug discovery and development, as well as disease models to bridge the gap between basic and translational research. Other sessions highlight the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms by which polyamines regulate cell growth, and the diversity of polyamine metabolism in a variety of organisms. The Gordon Conferences are the ideal setting to bring together these wide-ranging topics, with a format emphasizing the presentation of new and unpublished material in an informal and interactive setting that encourages extensive discussion.

To further encourage the participation of student and postdoctoral scientists, the Polyamines GRC will be held in conjunction with the third Gordon Research Seminar (GRS) on Polyamines. The main objective of the GRS, which is organized entirely by students and postdocs, will be to provide young researchers with a relaxed atmosphere that promotes free exchange of scientific information in the absence of all but a few senior colleagues.