The Basics of Gamete Biology and Early Development and Their Clinical Implications

The Fertilization and Activation of Development 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scientific conference focused on advancing the frontiers of science through the presentation of cutting-edge and unpublished research, prioritizing time for discussion after each talk and fostering informal interactions among scientists of all career stages.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 24th Gordon Research Conference (GRC) on Fertilization and Activation of Development will focus on the interactions of the male and female gametes and the events of early embryonic development. Some of the specific areas to be addressed include: the molecular mechanisms that underlie the competence of gametes to achieve fertilization; environmental and epigenetic influences on male and female gamete function; fertilization and evolution of gametes in different organisms; and molecules and mechanisms of sperm-egg fusion. Attendees will also discuss how knowledge of the basic molecular cell biology and physiology underlying these processes will help address two important clinical needs: human fertility and contraception. This conference will bring together a diverse group of junior and senior investigators from all over the world to share their expertise and latest research achievements in these and other areas. Approximately half of the oral presentations will be from invited speakers, and the others will be selected from submitted abstracts and poster presentations, with a spotlight on junior researchers and trainees. All attendees are encouraged to participate in the "Power Hour", an informal gathering that addresses the challenges that all scientists, and especially women and those from groups underrepresented in science, face at various stages of their careers. Attendees will have abundant opportunities to network with other scientists and engage in informal scientific discussions with researchers of diverse and multi-disciplinary backgrounds who are at all stages of their careers. This GRC takes place immediately after the Gordon Research Seminar, which provides a forum for graduate students, post-docs, and young investigators to discuss their work in the fields of gamete biology, fertilization, and early development. This GRC will be held at Holderness School, New Hampshire, where free afternoons can be spent enjoying outdoor activities in a beautiful and relaxing setting.