The lymphatic vascular system is essential for lipid absorption, fluid homeostasis, and immune surveillance. Malfunctions of the lymphatic system can lead to congenital or inherited disorders such as lymphedema, a disfiguring and disabling disorder that is caused by imbalance in lymph absorption and often characterized by swelling of the extremities.

Our understanding of the genes and mechanisms controlling the formation of the lymphatic vasculature has improved a great deal during the last decade. The availability of molecular markers and animal models with various degrees of lymphatic defects has been instrumental to the progress in this field. Also, work in the last few years had led to a better understanding of the functional roles of this vascular system in health and disease. Furthermore, recent work has also unraveled additional functional roles of the lymphatic vasculature in fat metabolism, obesity, inflammation, tumor lymphangiogenesis, and the regulation of salt storage in hypertension.

The 2012 Gordon Conference on Molecular Mechanisms in Lymphatic Function & Disease will bring together an outstanding group of basic and clinically-oriented interdisciplinary scientists to discuss their latest progress in a wide range of topics in this rapidly advancing field of research. The program contains sessions about lymphatic vascular development, lymphatics and inflammation, lymphangiogenesis and cancer, lymphatic-related diseases such as obesity, hypertension, immune suppression, congenital and secondary lymphedema, and therapeutic approaches. The goal is to discuss new insights into the cellular and molecular mechanisms mediating lymphatic development and function, and the design of new interventions against pathological conditions affecting the lymphatic vascular system.

The Conference will bring together investigators who are at the forefront of their field, and will provide opportunities for junior scientists and graduate students to present their work in poster format and exchange ideas with leaders in the field. Some poster presenters will be selected for short talks. This conference is intended to provide a unique format for the exchange of ideas and information, to discuss the latest research findings and technical advances in a collegial atmosphere.