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Sensory Transduction in Microorganisms (GRS)

Gordon Research Seminar

Signaling and Adaptation: How Microbes Sense and Respond to a Dynamic Environment

January 17 - 18, 2026

Chairs

and

Ventura Beach Marriott

2055 Harbor Boulevard

Ventura, California, United States

Venue and Travel Information

Conference Description

The Sensory Transduction in Microorganisms GRS provides a unique forum for young doctoral and post-doctoral researchers to present their work, discuss new methods, cutting edge ideas, and pre-published data, as well as to build collaborative relationships with their peers. Experienced mentors and trainee moderators will facilitate active participation in scientific discussion to allow all attendees to be engaged participants rather than spectators.

The 7th annual GRS on Sensory Transduction in Microorganisms (STIM) will take place on January 17th and 18th, 2026 at Ventura Beach, CA, the weekend prior to its cognate Gordon Research Conference. As a trainee-led conference, the purpose of the GRS is to 1) shine a spotlight on the new and groundbreaking research performed by early-stage researchers, and 2) provide a space for young scientists to build a collaborative network in the field.

The 2026 GRS STIM will focus on characterizing the vast number of mechanisms in which microbes use cell signaling to respond to their changing environment. As such, the GRS will feature both oral and poster presentations from chemical biology, biochemistry, molecular biology, microbiology, structural biology, and other related fields.

Related Meeting

This GRS will be held in conjunction with the "Sensory Transduction in Microorganisms" Gordon Research Conference (GRC). Those interested in attending both meetings must submit an application for the GRC in addition to an application for the GRS. Refer to the associated GRC program page for more information.

Conference Program

Saturday
1:00 pm - 5:00 pm	Arrival and Check-in
3:30 pm - 3:45 pm	Introductory Comments by GRC Staff / Welcome and Introduction from the Chairs
3:45 pm - 4:30 pm	Keynote Session: Discovery of Nucleoside Deaminases Using Genetics Discussion Leader:
3:45 pm - 3:50 pm	Introduction by Discussion Leader
3:50 pm - 4:20 pm	"My Path in Microbiology and the Lessons I Learned"
4:20 pm - 4:30 pm	Discussion
4:30 pm - 6:00 pm	Poster Session
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm	Dinner
7:30 pm - 9:30 pm	Mechanisms and Pathways of Sensory Systems Discussion Leader:
7:30 pm - 7:45 pm	Introduction by Discussion Leader
7:45 pm - 7:55 pm	"Structural Insights Into Environmentally Responsive Nif Gene Expression Regulated by the NifL–NifA System in Azotobacter vinelandii"
7:55 pm - 8:00 pm	Discussion
8:00 pm - 8:10 pm	"Hanks-Type Kinases Across All of Life and Their Role in Bacterial Signal Transduction"
8:10 pm - 8:15 pm	Discussion
8:15 pm - 8:25 pm	"A Pooled Screening Approach Reveals Novel Chemoreceptors for Organic Acid Sensing"
8:25 pm - 8:30 pm	Discussion
8:30 pm - 8:40 pm	"The Type IV Pili (TFP) in Stationary-Phase Pseudomonas aeruginosa Are Dormant and Are Activated Rapidly by Nutrient Availability"
8:40 pm - 8:45 pm	Discussion
8:45 pm - 8:55 pm	"Subcellular Organization of Chemotaxis Arrays by a ParA Family Positioning ATPase"
8:55 pm - 9:00 pm	Discussion
9:00 pm - 9:10 pm	"In Situ Structural Insights Into Dot/Icm Type IV Secretion System Assembly and Activation in Legionella"
9:10 pm - 9:15 pm	Discussion
9:15 pm - 9:25 pm	"Structural and Computational Studies for E. coli Chemotaxis Signalling Units"
9:25 pm - 9:30 pm	Discussion
Sunday
7:30 am - 8:30 am	Breakfast
9:00 am - 11:00 am	Microbial Signaling and Adaptation in Multicellular Structures Discussion Leader:
9:00 am - 9:15 am	"From Commensal to Pathobiont: How Desulfovibrio desulfuricans Finds Their Niche in the Gut"
9:15 am - 9:20 am	Discussion
9:20 am - 9:35 am	"Exploring Bacterial Chemotaxis Under Antibiotic Gradients"
9:35 am - 9:40 am	Discussion
9:40 am - 9:55 am	"How Bacterial Biofilms Defend Against Invasion"
9:55 am - 10:00 am	Discussion
10:00 am - 10:15 am	"Cryo-EM and Structural Determination of Pili Produced by Species of the Burkholderia cepacia Complex in the Context of Cystic Fibrosis"
10:15 am - 10:20 am	Discussion
10:20 am - 10:35 am	"Actinobacterial G-Protein System, a Master Regulator of Silent Biosynthetic Gene Clusters in Streptomyces coelicolor"
10:35 am - 10:40 am	Discussion
10:40 am - 10:55 am	"Planktonic Cell Recruitment Shapes Community Structure during Vibrio cholerae Pellicle Formation"
10:55 am - 11:00 am	Discussion
11:00 am - 12:30 pm	Poster Session Coffee will be served in the poster area from 11:00 am - 11:30 am
12:30 pm - 1:30 pm	Lunch
1:30 pm - 2:30 pm	Mentorship Component: Succeeding in an Uncertain and Competitive Job Market Discussion Leader:
1:30 pm - 2:15 pm	"From Graduate School to Independence: What I Agree and Disagree With ChatGPT On"
2:15 pm - 2:30 pm	Discussion
2:30 pm - 3:00 pm	Evaluation Period Complete the GRS Evaluation Forms; Election of Future Chair(s)
3:00 pm	Seminar Concludes

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Conference History Sensory Transduction in Microorganisms

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