The Gordon Research Conference on Cell Contact and Adhesion has entered its fourth decade. Over these forty years, extraordinary advances in the field of cell adhesion have been made. These include the definition of major families of cell adhesion molecules and considerable gains in our understanding of these large and varied adhesive complexes in development and disease. New findings include the relationship of cell-cell and cell-matrix proteins or their partners to intracellular signaling pathways, the control of adhesion protein trafficking and the identification of novel adhesion structures or components. Such events within the field has led as natural consequence to the genesis of several focused meetings on different aspects of cell adhesion. The upcoming Conference on Cell Contact and Adhesion in particular provides an overview of major advances in cell-cell adhesion and communication. The Conference includes sessions highlighting recent insights upon the adherens, desmosomal and tight junctions, the control of cadherin expression and function, and signaling through catenins, small GTPases and growth factor receptors. Particular emphasis in embryo development and human diseases is given to Wnt/beta-catenin, p120-catenin and others junction bound transcription factors. Some talks address cell-cell adhesion molecules and their intracellular signaling partners or signaling pathways as potential therapeutic targets limiting cancer dissemination and invasion, inflammation, and angiogenesis. Besides invited talks there will be space in most sessions for additional speakers selected from those submitting abstracts to the meeting. The format of the conference, defined by the Gordon Research Conferences, consists of a series of morning and evening lecture sessions, and also provides ample time for discussion and mingling of junior and senior scientists during afternoon poster sessions, communal meals, and other social events. All meeting attendees are encouraged to submit an abstract at the time of application to the conference and to present their poster at the meeting. We welcome your application for the conference in Il Ciocco, Italy.