Biological Functions and Translational Importance of Plasminogen Activation and Extracellular Proteolysis

The main goal of this meeting is to present breakthrough findings on the biological functions of plasminogen activation and extracellular proteolysis and to discuss their translational importance in distinct scientific areas: vascular biology, neurobiology, neurodegeneration, cell death, pregnancy, cardiovascular and renal function, inflammation, infection, tissue homeostasis and regeneration, tumor biology, cardiovascular function, and angiogenesis. Each topic will be addressed within a conceptual framework assembled by three "T's": Translational, Technological and Transitional. The Translational goal will be met by in-depth discussions of the translational importance of the new discoveries presented in each session and the identification of those basic research areas that need to be developed in the future to meet specific clinical needs. These discussions will be accompanied by the presentation and discussion of state-of-the-art Technological advances in proteomics, genomics and imaging. Finally, to promote a Transition to a new generation of investigators, each session will be assembled by a mixed group of senior and younger speakers.