Uncovering the molecular mechanisms by which organisms recognize and respond to tissue damage is one of the most lively and diverse fields in basic biomedical research. Likewise tissue repair and regeneration are topics of major public health concern as inadequate wound healing following trauma or surgery and diseases/conditions that involve misregulated tissue repair responses, such as diabetes mellitus, aging, cancer, and fibrosis affect millions world wide per year. The molecular mechanisms underlying tissue repair or its failure are not completely understood and current therapy options are not sufficient. The search for clinical strategies that improve the body’s endogenous repair mechanisms is based on a thorough understanding of the basic biology of repair/regeneration, and is at the cutting edge of modern medicine. The Gordon Research Conference on Tissue Repair and Regeneration (TRR-GRC) is the only major recurrent meeting that brings together the full diversity of researchers interested in basic biology and translational applications of tissue repair/regenerative processes.

The 2013 TRR-GRC will be held from June 16-21, at Colby Sawyer College, New London, NH. Nine scientific sessions are planned which span the latest, high impact discoveries in basic and translational science of tissue repair/regeneration expected to push the field forward in both fundamental aspects as well as regenerative medicine. Four innovative sessions will highlight emerging new directions in the field, including aging mechanisms, mechanotransduction, epigenetic control, and signals in growth control and metabolism. Five sessions on traditional topics will report the latest breakthroughs in barrier repair and regeneration, whole organ and pattern regeneration, parallels between wound healing and cancer, functional plasticity of myeloid cells, and tissue engineering. In all the sessions, novel unpublished results will be presented. It is anticipated that exposure of this very diverse group of scientists, from basic cell biologists/bioengineers to clinicians will foster stimulating discussions and productive collaborations that will deliver the next generation of novel therapeutics in regenerative medicine. Based on the success of the first Gordon Research Seminar (GRS) pre-meeting in 2011 we are excited to continue this new activity and also the TRR-GRC 2013 will be held in conjunction with a GRS, on June 15-16. Apart from formal presentations, daily poster sessions and occasions of informal gatherings will provide many opportunities for interactions between the scientists participating.