Physiological and Disease Relevance and the Underlying Molecular Properties of Collagens

The Collagen 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scientific conference focused on advancing the frontiers of science through the presentation of cutting-edge and unpublished research, prioritizing time for discussion after each talk and fostering informal interactions among scientists of all career stages.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.

The 2023 meeting will mark over 50 years of the Collagen GRCs, an uninterrupted series starting in 1970, and since 2013 expanded to include a Collagen Gordon Research Seminar targeting early career researchers. The break of four years in the Collagen GRC and GRS induced by the COVID-19 pandemic further highlights the importance of the 2023 conference and seminar, both for established scientists and especially the early career researchers. The central goal is to understand how the collagens interact with other extracellular matrix molecules and cells in the physiological contexts, and what are the molecular consequences of mutations in collagens and related molecules with respect to these complex interactions and dependencies. Importantly, we will link collagen research to a broader context of biology, as exemplified by the recent understanding that can now be used to develop drugs that target the hypoxia inducible factor (HIF) prolyl-hydroxylases for the treatment of, e.g., chronic kidney disorders and cancer. Other fields growing in impact that will be highlighted pertain to biomechanical and bioengineering aspects, stem cell guidance, fibrosis, malignant growth, and musculoskeletal development and pathology. These sessions and the session on big data in collagen research aim to bring forward the rapidly increasing systems biology approach regarding the association and roles of collagens in normal and disease situations. Moreover, in terms of basic understanding of collagens, we aim to highlight novel data on the transport and homeostasis of collagens in tissues and cells. The meeting will also provide a unique opportunity to discuss how the rapidly expanding field looks like in five or 10 years and what is needed for the field to advance.