The Macromolecular Materials Gordon Research Conference (formerly named Polymers West) is known for being an interdisciplinary, synergistic meeting, and the January 2009 edition will keep with past tradition and combine new, exciting aspects of polymer chemistry, physics and engineering from academia, industry and national labs. Topics to be explored include charged polymers (experimental self-assembly, theory of polyelectrolytes, and the use of charged polymers for DNA/RNA delivery), complex micelle/nanostructure assembly, polymer nanoparticles (synthesis, physics, and use of), biocompatible/bioinspired polymers, hyaluronic acid for biomedical applications, and thin film patterning with polymers. Importantly, the GRC format provides three important ingredients that provide attendees with new collaborations and new ideas: 1) all speakers provide in-depth talks containing significant new, unpublished data, 2) time is provided for significant discussion after each and every talk, and 3) the entire afternoon is for excursions with colleagues and further discussion.

Macromolecular Materials will also be hosting a Gordon Research Seminar (GRS) on the weekend prior to the main GRC meeting. The GRS is a new conference sponsored by the Gordon Research Conferences and is intended to provide a GRC meeting experience solely for younger researchers; The GRS organizers and presenters will be entirely graduate students and post-doctoral fellows. The topics of the 2-day GRS will also be interdisciplinary in nature, and the attendees are encouraged to stay for the full Macromolecular Materials GRC the following week.

Ventura, CA is a great location for a January meeting that makes possible activities such as afternoon trips to the Channel Islands for whale watching, visits to wineries around Santa Barbara and the Santa Ynez valley, and enjoyment of Ventura’s beaches. This atmosphere, combined with the intimate and interdisciplinary nature of the Macromolecular Materials GRC, guarantees a memorable meeting and that all participants will leave with new colleagues, collaborations and ideas.