Exploring and Exploiting Proteases in Development and Disease

Proteolysis is essential for numerous developmental and physiological processes. However, dysregulation of protease activity underlies many diseases and pathological conditions, including cancer, inflammation and infection. Given the importance of proteolysis, and the sheer scope of distinct protease functions, these enzymes essentially have an impact on every facet of biology, often through surprising and unexpected mechanisms.

In this meeting we will highlight innovative and cutting-edge research exploring the full spectrum of protease biology, in processes as diverse as ER stress, ubiquitination, growth factor signaling, cell death, organ patterning and stem cell niche regulation. We will emphasize the tremendous potential we now have as a community to exploit this knowledge through different therapeutic applications. This includes presenting the latest technologies for protease detection in various disease states, which can serve as diagnostic and/or prognostic read-outs. In addition, we will discuss new therapeutic approaches for targeting proteases in disease states including cancer, infection, fibrosis and inflammation.