In the last few years phagocytes have taken center-stage in the pathogenesis of many important diseases. In addition to several infectious diseases, Alzheimer’s, osteoporosis, diabetes, atherosclerosis and other major disorders are now attributed, at lest in part, to phagocyte dysfunction. The 2011 Gordon Research Conference on Phagocytes will bring together experts and trainees from around the world to discuss the most recent advances in the field, with a view to better understand the biology and pathophysiology of neutrophils, macrophages and specialized phagocytes such as microglia, osteoclasts and dendritic cells. The meeting will cover a broad range of topics, bridging basic aspects of the cell physiology and molecular biology of phagocytes with more complex notions of cellular plasticity and specialization. The discussion will range from biophysical determinations of the behavior of single molecules in phagocytes, to intravital studies where migration, homing and heterotypic cell-cell interactions in native tissues will be documented. The conference has traditionally fostered active interactions across disciplines and between trainees and more seasoned scientists. To ease the incorporation of students and postdoctoral fellows into the interactive environment of the GRC, the conference will be preceded by a Gordon Research Seminar (GRS) attended only by the trainees, where they will have the opportunity to make oral or poster presentations of their own work and acquaint themselves with each other and with the conference site, in advance of the arrival of the senior investigators.