Molecular Basis of Ligand Recognition and Gating in Transmembrane Signaling and Transport

The goal of the Gordon Research Conference on Ligand Recognition and Molecular Gating is to share the latest knowledge and expertise on the mechanism of function of three important classes of membrane proteins: receptors, transporters, and ion channels. These integral membrane proteins have crucial physiological roles and are targets for more than 50% of the available drugs on the market. Specifically, we will cover topics ranging from understanding the molecular conformational changes these proteins undergo in response to binding of ligands and substrates to the downstream signaling in a cellular context. Novel, emerging techniques as well as more established techniques that have been applied to these problems, will be highlighted in this conference.

All participants are asked to submit abstracts and bring posters - providing opportunities for people at different stages in their careers to meet, mix, learn and establish new interdisciplinary collaborations. The organizers will select additional speakers to give short talks from the submitted abstracts. In 2016, the GRC will be immediately preceded by a Gordon Research Seminar, which will provide young scientists with unique opportunities for interaction with peers from different research and geographical areas and for presentation of their research in a "safe" and approachable environment. We strongly encourage graduate students and post-doctoral fellows to apply for this GRS as well as the GRC that follows. We also encourage conference applications by both junior and senior scientists, by minorities and people with disabilities, and we are applying for funds to support in part those with financial constraints.