The Cytoskeletal Motors GRC is a premier, international scientific conference focused on advancing the frontiers of science through the presentation of cutting-edge and unpublished research, prioritizing time for discussion after each talk and fostering informal interactions among scientists of all career stages. The conference program includes a diverse range of speakers and discussion leaders from institutions and organizations worldwide, concentrating on the latest developments in the field. The conference is five days long and held in a remote location to increase the sense of camaraderie and create scientific communities, with lasting collaborations and friendships. In addition to premier talks, the conference has designated time for poster sessions from individuals of all career stages, and afternoon free time and communal meals allow for informal networking opportunities with leaders in the field.
Continuing over five decades of pioneering GRC meetings focused on cytoskeletal motors, the 2026 conference will showcase the latest breakthroughs in motor protein research, integrating biophysics, structural biology, and cell biology. The program will highlight the diverse molecular mechanisms and cellular functions of myosins, kinesins, and dyneins, emphasizing how structural and mechanistic studies reveal their roles in cargo transport, cell division, muscle contraction,cilia function, and cortical organization. Another theme will be the dual role of cytoskeletal filaments as both tracks for molecular motors and force generators.
A key focus will be on the regulation of motor activity, including mechanisms of autoinhibition, track dynamics, and post-translational modifications. Additionally, the conference will address how motor dysregulation contributes to human diseases such as cancer, cardiac disorders, and neuropathies, and how emerging insights into motor function drive the development of novel therapeutic strategies.
The program will feature leading investigators and rising scientists, including talks selected from submitted abstracts to highlight late-breaking discoveries. Discussions will be highly interactive, encouraging questions from trainees and fostering a collegiate, collaborative atmosphere. Poster sessions, informal networking events, and unstructured free time further cultivate scientific exchange, driving innovation and new research directions in the field.
We look forward to an exciting and engaging 2026 Cytoskeletal Motors GRC, where sharing the latest discoveries will shape the future of molecular motor research!
