The Oxygen Paradox tells us that oxygen is both necessary for and dangerous to, all aerobic organisms. The oxidative stress that results from oxygen- and nitrogen-based oxidants is thought to be important in ageing, and in the etiology or progression, of many age-related diseases. This conference will focus on potential mechanisms by which oxidative stress modulates age-related degenerative diseases. Sessions will include the following: re-examining the free radical theory of ageing, redox signaling, the role of iron in age-related neurodegenerative diseases, inflammation and disease, mechanisms of SOD1-linked ALS, oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in diabetes, oxylipins and bioactive lipids in disease, protein oxidation and degradation in age related disease, and the role of oxidative stress in age-related pathobiology of skeletal muscle. The program includes invited lectures by many of the leading scientists in the fields of free radical biology and medicine, and gerontology. Several short talks will also be selected from submitted abstracts, in order to welcome new researchers into the field. New and/or young investigators are especially encouraged to attend the conference, and to submit abstracts for either poster or oral presentation. Highlights of the meeting will include both invited and selected talks, and a keynote lecture by Bruce Ames on his work in oxidative stress and age-related disease.