The Gordon Research conference on Thiol-based Redox Regulation and Signaling will be held between May 25-30, 2008 at Il Ciocco in Italy. The field of redox biology is key to the life sciences as an increasing number of cellular functions and impairments are found linked to redox processes. Central to redox control are systems that utilize thiols to perform redox transactions. Thiol-containing proteins are major antioxidants in cells and reversible oxidation of thiols in various phosphatases, kinases and transcription factors links thiol-based redox chemistry to phosphorylation-based signaling, apoptosis and gene regulation. Dysregulation of thiol-based redox homeostasis has major implications for the progression of cardiovascular diseases, cancer and other complex diseases and is a significant component of the process of aging.

The topics covered in this meeting will include: redox signaling, disulfide bond formation and isomerization, redox based intra- and extracelluar communication, peroxide generation and clearance, redox sensing, mitochondrial redox regulation and disease, thiol modifications, regulation of sulfur metabolism and emerging technologies.