The 2009 Gordon Conference on Ca²⁺ Signaling will present cutting-edge research on the cellular regulation and downstream functions of this remarkable ion-messenger. The Conference will be opened by a "State of the Field" lecture by Tullio Pozzan from the University of Padua, which will provide a brief overview of the achievements, problems and perspectives of Ca²⁺ signaling research. The first sessions of the conference will be dedicated to the roles played by Ca²⁺ in bioenergetics, apoptosis, important diseases and aging. During the following sessions we will discuss a wide range of topics such as calcium stores and calcium release channels, mechanisms of Ca²⁺ entry, comparative physiology of Ca²⁺ signals, interacting second messenger cascades and properties of Ca²⁺-binding proteins. For the first time in the history of this conference we are planning to include an open debate between two prominent scientists; the debate will be focused on the mechanisms of Ca²⁺ entry. The conference will be finished by a Keynote Lecture which will be presented by Tobias Meyer from Stanford University.

The conference will bring together researchers specializing in fundamental aspects of calcium signaling and scientists with interests in the roles played by Ca²⁺ in physiological reactions and in many important diseases (e.g. cardiovascular diseases, cancer, Alzheimer's disease and others). 32 scientists working at the forefront of Ca²⁺ signaling research have agreed to present lectures or serve as discussion leaders. The conference will provide opportunities for junior scientists and graduate students to present their work in poster format and exchange ideas with leaders in the field. 6 poster presenters will be selected for short talks.

The conference will be held in Il Ciocco Hotel in Tuscany. The site is located on two thousand acres of a spectacular natural park, which will provide an excellent setting for informal out-of-session discussions.