The Gordon Research Conference on the "Biology of 14-3-3 Proteins" was initiated in 2004, and continues as a major meeting for the latest advances in this growing field. The principal aim of the conference is to bring together scientists with diverse backgrounds to share insights of scientific and clinical importance about the 14-3-3 family of intracellular phosphoserine-binding proteins. This topic is important not only for the study of basic eukaryotic biology but also is relevant to many human diseases, including cancer, diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative disorders. The 2008 conference will maintain this principle and further emphasize three specific themes: 1) novel mechanistic concepts in cell cycle regulation and cancer pathogenesis; 2) the use of proteomics to investigate metabolic diseases; 3) cardiovascular signaling and disease. In addition, this conference will focus on the recently discovered small molecule inhibitors of 14-3-3 protein action, which may serve as new tools to investigate the potential of 14-3-3 proteins for disease diagnosis and therapeutics.

The agenda and speakers for the GRC on 14-3-3 proteins will be decided on the basis of detailed discussions between current and previous Chairs and several leaders in the field of 14-3-3 protein biology. In addition, several junior faculty members will be selected as speakers based on their submitted abstracts with particular attention paid to young scientists, women and underrepresented minorities. There will also be many outstanding posters scheduled for presentation. The Crown Plaza Hotel in Ventura, California, was recently renovated and now has a modern conference center that is ideal for scientific interactions and also provides many recreational opportunities.

Ventura is close to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and a shuttle bus provides easy access from LAX.

Travel awards exist for selected postdoctoral fellows, students, and minority participants.