This will be the third meeting of the conference, which is dedicated to exploring the biochemical and biological pathways influenced by adhesion receptors. We are delighted that Masatoshi Takeichi, the discoverer of the cadherin family of cell-cell adhesion molecules, has agreed to give the Keynote Lecture.

Cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions play essential roles in the morphogenesis and patterning of the developing embryo and are crucial for maintaining the differentiated functions of most adult cell types. Cadherins and integrins, perhaps the best-studied families of adhesion receptors, will be the major focus of the conference, but other adhesion molecules such as claudins and nectins, will also be included.

Adhesion receptors promote the assembly of multi-molecular, intracellular complexes providing mechanical stability and generating intracellular signals that influence cell behavior. Therefore, a major focus of this meeting will be the structural and functional properties of adhesion receptor complexes. We will cover a variety of biological contexts, including cell and tissue morphogenesis, cell polarity and cell migration. There will be sessions dedicated to the role of adhesion receptors in the control of cell proliferation and differentiation and in the development of cancer. New features of adhesion receptor signaling will include links to endocytosis, gene transcription, cell cycle, apoptosis, the epithelial-mesenchymal transition, tumor invasion, and tumor suppressor proteins. Finally, several talks will feature new technological approaches in this area such as fluorescence imaging, NMR spectroscopy and proteomics.