The 2010 GRC on Mitochondria & Chloroplasts will assemble an international group of molecular, structural and cellular biologists, biochemists and geneticists investigating a broad spectrum of fundamental problems related to the biology of these organelles in animal, plant and fungal cells. This field has witnessed an extraordinary expansion in recent years, fueled by the discovery of the role of mitochondria in human disease and ageing, and of the synergy of chloroplasts and mitochondria in energetic output, the identification of novel factors involved in organelle division, movement, signaling and acclimation to changing environmental conditions, and by the powerful tools of organelle proteomics. The 2010 GRC will highlight advances in the elucidation of molecular mechanisms of organelle biogenesis including regulation of genome structure, evolution and expression, organellar protein import, assembly and turnover of respiratory and photosynthetic complexes, bidirectional signaling between organelles and nucleus, organelle morphology and dynamics, and the integration of cellular metabolism. We will also explore progress in mechanisms of disease and ageing/ senescence in animals and plants. The organellar field has forged new fronts toward a global and comprehensive understanding of mitochondrial and chloroplast biology at the molecular level. Many of the molecules under study in model organisms are responsible for human diseases, providing significant impetus for a meeting that encourages interactions between mammalian, fungal and plant organellar biologists. Selection of speakers with international recognition in this field will be balanced with inclusion of young investigators and individuals who have not previously attended this conference. A number of short talks will be selected from abstracts representing emerging and breaking topics and from investigators at all levels. To maximize participation of all attendees, we urge presentation of recent progress either as a poster or as a talk. For the second time, our conference has been selected for a Gordon Research Seminar (GRS: Mitochondria & Chloroplasts) that will precede the GRC. The GRS provides an excellent platform for graduate students and postdocs to make oral and poster presentations, to discuss informally their research and to gain confidence to participate actively in the following GRC.