It is now apparent that proteases play key roles in virtually every aspect of cell biology and every function of multicellular organisms. They are essential in such fundamental cell processes as separation of chromosomes during mitosis, cell-cycle control, apoptosis, and signal transduction. At the organismal level, these enzymes control such processes as wound healing, antigen presentation, reproduction, and neo-vascularization. Disregulation of proteases leads to or exacerbates an array of human pathologies including arthritis, stroke, dementia, metabolic disorders, blood coagulation defects, and cardiomyopathy. And infectious agents utilize proteases to mount their attacks.

This Gordon Research Conference traditionally deals with the structure, function, and regulation of these enzymes and, increasingly, with their physiological roles. Exciting advances in all these areas have made it easy to fill the program for the 2006 meeting. A major strength of the meeting is the diversity of disciplines (chemists, crystallographers, enzyme kineticists, biologists) and areas of biology represented. Both academic and industrial researchers are welcome, and many first-time applications are expected as the field expands into new areas of biology and employs novel techniques. In addition to reporting the latest developments in the field, a major purpose of the meeting is to facilitate informal discussions and to generate new collaborations.

Colby Sawyer provides an ideal setting for the conference. Dorm, recreational, computer, and meeting facilities (including a new conference center) are excellent. The campus and town are classic New England. Hiking, boating and biking are all readily accessible.