Molecular Mechanisms and Fundamental Principles to Cellular Energetics in Health and Disease

Celebrating its 50th anniversary, the 2013 Gordon Conference on Bioenergetics will bring together scientists interested in molecular aspects of energy converting processes in procaryotes and mitochondria. The mission is to stimulate exchange of ideas between investigators interested in Bioenergetics from a broad range of scientific disciplines. It is anticipated that participants will include investigators actively engaged in research aimed at determining the high resolution structures of macromolecules, enzymatic and ion translocation mechanisms, the regulation of metabolic rates, mitochondrial morphology, and mitochondrial disease processes. The scope of the meeting also extends to participants interested in other related oxidation-reduction systems, mitochondrial transporters and ion translocating ATPases. The meeting will provide a platform for active researchers to present their most recent findings in formal scientific sessions and poster sessions. Ample free time will be scheduled for unfettered conversation between participants. One focus of the meeting will be the rapidly advancing developments in the structure, function and regulation of the membrane integral multiprotein complexes of biological energy conversion, like Complexes I-IV of the electron transport chain and F₁F₀ ATP synthases and closely related V₁V₀-ATPases. The second focus will be on the impact of function and dysfunction of bioenergetic systems on cells and organisms as a whole. Thus the program will include sessions emphasizing mitochondrial dysfunction in aging, neural disorders, and the genetics of disease related mutations. The poster sessions and the poster discussion session have traditionally been a highlight of Bioenergetics Gordon Conferences. The posters offer an opportunity for junior investigators to actively participate in the meeting by presenting their own research. Finally, the meeting seeks to generate an environment most conducive for young scientists to interact with established investigators in the field.