The cellular proteome is constantly exposed to a wide variety of toxic stresses. These include external stresses, such as elevated temperatures and radiation damage as well as physiological stresses encountered during cellular proliferation and differentiation, such as oxidative stress generated by metabolic reactions. The proteome is also stressed by a large number of common stimuli, such as pharmacological agents, infection, and inflammation. In all organisms, induction of the stress response is essential for the maintenance of protein homeostasis in response to proteotoxic stress. A hallmark of stressed cells and organisms is the increased synthesis of molecular chaperones that aid in the folding of nascent polypeptides and prevent protein misfolding and aggregation. They are also important for protein degradation and translocation across membranes as well as for the correct formation of macromolecular assembles. The protein quality control and stress protection machineries require strict signaling modalities and transcriptional programs, which are altered in a number of disease states, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, metabolic disease (e.g. diabetes), and liver disease. Modulation of the stress response also plays a critical role in lifespan regulation and aging-related diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s, and prion-based disease.

The 2011 Gordon Conference “Stress Proteins in Growth, Development & Disease” will highlight the most recent advances in stress biology and biomedical research of stress-related diseases. Special emphasis is on a multitude of model systems that are being used to investigate stress sensing, signaling and regulation of gene expression, including epigenetic mechanisms. Post-translational modifications of stress proteins and their involvement in the key enzymatic pathways, leading to these modifications, are of major interest. The recent discoveries in the chemical modulation of stress pathways and the role of stress proteins as integrators of cell stress, development and lifespan will be presented. The Conference’s collegial and scholarly environment encourages vigorous discussions of exciting developments related to several areas of stress research. The meeting provides also excellent opportunities for graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and junior group leaders to present their work either in posters or short talks. The formal scientific program together with more informal discussions will enhance the dissemination of new information and the formation of new collaborations, which are invaluable for deeper understanding of the versatile roles of stress proteins in human health, aging, and disease.