The Gordon Research Conference on "Signal Transduction By Engineered Extracellular Matrices" is a biennial meeting that examines the signaling interactions between cells and their surrounding microenvironment from a variety of interdisciplinary angles. The 2010 meeting will be feature the newest research on: the establishment and regulation of the cellular microenvironment during development and in postnatal tissues; how the cellular microenvironment can be engineered to control cell function; how the fate of cells can be dynamically tracked in vivo; and how such insights can provide new approaches to tissue engineering, repair, and regeneration. This meeting necessarily brings together researchers in diverse fields of biology (including stem cell and developmental biology), chemistry, bioimaging and engineering for both the fundamental understanding of cellular function and how this can be harnessed for the repair and replacement of tissues lost or damaged due to disease or injury. Speakers will include well-established leaders in the field as well as young investigators of exceptional promise. In addition to the plenary talks, the meeting includes lively and highly interactive poster sessions, and some poster presenters will be selected to present short talks. The meeting will include ample time for informal, collegial interactions to promote opportunities for brainstorming, networking, and establishing new collaborations in this dynamic arena. This multidisciplinary field demands creativity and welcomes participation from scientists in both industry and academia working at the interface of biology and engineering.

As an important new feature of the 2010 meeting, the main conference will be preceded by a weekend meeting planned by and for pre-doctoral and post-doctoral trainees in this growing interdisciplinary field. This pre-meeting Gordon-Kenan Research Seminar (GRS), will provide a forum for these future leaders in the field to present their work in talks and posters, in a collegial and interactive environment that will add outstanding value to their overall GRC experience.