The Gordon Research Conference on Lipoprotein Metabolism is one of the longest standing conferences in the 80 year history of the GRC. The scientific content of our conference has continually evolved since the first meeting and, traditionally, is considered the preeminent forum in our discipline for the presentation of high impact leading edge science. The program for the 2012 Conference on Lipoprotein Metabolism will communicate new and exciting advances in the field and will bring together a range of established investigators, new investigators, and trainees from around the world to present and discuss a spectrum of topics related to new developments in lipid and lipoprotein metabolism, particularly in those areas that impact upon human disease. Basic molecular and cell biological studies, animal models of metabolism, and genetic studies in humans will be presented. Topics include the structural and functional diversity of HDL; cholesterol efflux and ABC transporters; cellular sterol trafficking and lipid droplet biology, alternate functions of LDL receptor family members and recent advances in therapy to treat dyslipidemia and cardiovascular disease. Novel mechanisms of plasma cholesterol homeostasis, genetic determinants of plasma lipids and the use of metabolomics and proteomics to study lipid and lipoprotein metabolism will also be featured. In addition to outstanding leading-edge lectures and discussion, poster presentations represent an integral part of the scientific program. Additional Oral Sessions will be selected from among submitted abstracts.