Spatial Relevance of Adhesion Signals

The program for the 2014 Signaling by Adhesion Receptors GRC has been designed to create an identity for this meeting and eliminate potential overlap with other conferences that also emphasize cell adhesion. The speakers will focus on new unpublished findings on adhesion signaling in all of the most actively researched topic areas. New topics relative to the 2012 conference include spatial control of adhesion signaling, cellular niches and tissue architecture, adhesion control of cell division and polarity, and tumor cell invasion and adhesion signaling therapies. Within this, new topics such as links between adhesion and metabolism, microenvironmental control of tumor dormancy, and force-dependent reprogramming will be covered. Updates on important topics such as tension sensing and signaling, cytoskeletal regulation, mechanisms of migration, and models of adhesion signaling in development will also be included. Overall this international conference will showcase the major advances in the field of adhesion signaling research. The general, specific aims of the meeting will be to disseminate new data and concepts about adhesion signaling; promote interactions and collaborations among basic research groups, clinical research groups, and pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies; familiarize investigators with new experimental approaches and emerging technologies; provide an informal atmosphere for discussion of new hypotheses and approaches; and provide a collegial and highly interactive atmosphere in which both early career and senior investigators may interact. Given the multidisciplinary nature of the field, a setting where researchers from different areas of adhesion receptor biology can interact closely serves an invaluable function. The GRC format is effective at disseminating cutting edge knowledge, fostering collaborations, and improving the cohesiveness of the field. Bringing together researchers from different areas who are focused on a common set of problems has the potential to synthesize knowledge and thereby catalyze major advances. The conference has traditionally provided superb training opportunities for young scientists and will be organized specifically to foster interactions between young investigators and experienced scientists. Approximately one third of the speakers will be chosen from abstracts and will give young investigators the opportunity to present their data and receive feedback from a wide audience; and posters sessions will promote interactions and discussion. Additionally, the separate but related GRS is organized by, and provides a two-day program exclusively for, student and postdoctoral trainees. The meeting greatly promotes interactions among young scientists and enhances the educational goals of the conference. Thus, the meetings offer an outstanding training opportunity.