Physiological and Pathological Mechanisms of the Mucociliary System

The Cilia, Mucus and Mucociliary Interactions GRC is a premier, international scientific conference focused on advancing the frontiers of science through the presentation of cutting-edge and unpublished research, prioritizing time for discussion after each talk and fostering informal interactions among scientists of all career stages. The conference program includes a diverse range of speakers and discussion leaders from institutions and organizations worldwide, concentrating on the latest developments in the field. The conference is five days long and held in a remote location to increase the sense of camaraderie and create scientific communities, with lasting collaborations and friendships. In addition to premier talks, the conference has designated time for poster sessions from individuals of all career stages, and afternoon free time and communal meals allow for informal networking opportunities with leaders in the field.

Since 2005, the Cilia, Mucus, and Mucociliary Interactions GRC has brought together world-class investigators to discuss the latest topics focused on furthering our understanding of the processes which underline mucociliary clearance system in health and disease. This conference provides a unique opportunity for basic scientists and clinical researchers interested in these interrelated areas to discuss their latest findings and learn about new technologies that provide novel approaches to current challenges. This conference attracts a broad array of scientists ranging from biophysicists and biochemists to physiologists, geneticists, and developmental biologists. In addition to its biological and biophysical focus, a key differentiating aspect of this conference has, and continues to be, the inclusion of new scientific understanding, and technology associated with understanding, the structure and function of cilia and mucins, and how these critical components interact to protect the airway surfaces. The overarching theme of the 2023 conference will be "Integrating our understanding of cilia and mucus from gene regulation to protein structure to function". Therefore, this conference will feature a diverse community of academic and industrial researchers working on efforts in structural biology, bioengineering, biophysics, biochemistry, and embryology, many seeking to solve clinically relevant biomedical problems relating to mucus/mucins and cilia, including SARS-CoV-2 infection. Key topics of this conference revolve around the latest information on basic mechanisms of cellular assembly, processing, and function, and the relationship between motile cilia, mucus and related features that are an essential component of fundamental biological processes. As such, issues related to multiple disciplines will be embraced. Additionally, the 2023 program will continue our rich conference history in providing excellent opportunities for junior investigators to present their work and exchange ideas in a collegial atmosphere with experts in the field. There will be poster sessions organized on topical themes to match the session topics. Bringing together this community of students, scientists, and clinicians, to share the most recent insights and understanding of cilia and mucus – from the perspective of their respective disciplines – will allow the sharing of new ideas and methodologies, mutual learning, and, importantly, the opportunity to develop new collaborations – all with the goal of improving our understating of the mucociliary clearance system in health and disease.