The study of tissue repair and regeneration sits at the crossroads of cell/developmental biology and medicine. Because of this unique position, uncovering the cellular mechanisms by which organisms recognize and respond to tissue damage is one of the most lively and diverse fields in basic biomedical research. Likewise, the search for clinical strategies that improve upon the body’s endogenous repair mechanisms is at the cutting edge of modern medicine. The longstanding goal of the the Gordon Research Conference (GRC) on Tissue Repair and Regeneration, for many years one of the premiere meetings in the field, is to bring together interactive scientists interested in any of the various steps and facets of repair and regeneration, thus providing the diverse participants with opportunities to actively exchange the latest ideas and foster potential cross-disciplinary collaborations.

The upcoming tenth iteration of this GRC will carry forward that tradition. We will bring together both basic and translationally-oriented scientists that span the full diversity of experimental approaches and models (from hydra to humans!) relevant to repair and regeneration. They will present their cutting edge findings and discuss themes relevant to fundamental principles of tissue repair and regeneration, the pathologies of misregulated tissue repair, and newly emerging therapeutic approaches to facilitate repair/regeneration processes. In addition to sessions on traditional topics such as epithelial repair, inflammation, regeneration of missing pattern, matrix and fibrosis, organ repair and regeneration, and tissue engineering/therapeutics, this meeting will also feature sessions on up-and-coming topics such as danger signaling, stem cells and regenerative medicine, and the links between wound healing and cancer progression.

An excellent lineup of speakers at the forefront of their fields is currently being recruited for the meeting. In addition, a number of speakers will be selected from submitted abstracts to give short talks. Four vibrant poster sessions will also be held. It is anticipated that many of these latter speakers and poster presenters will be junior investigators who will also have attended the Gordon-Kenan Research Seminar on Tissue Repair and Regeneration that immediately precedes this GRC. In all the sessions, novel unpublished results will be presented.

Participation by underrepresented minorities will be encouraged, and eligible underrepresented minority applicants can apply for a Carl Storm Fellowship. Details of this program can be found on the GRC web page.