Structure, Function and New Methods in Metalloproteases

With the renaming of this GRC as "Metalloproteases", we welcome all who are working to advance the understanding of MMPs, ADAMs, ADAMTSs, and related proteases in biology, development and disease. Due to their broad reaching control over the physical and biochemical characteristics of complex cellular systems, few enzymes better serve tissue function than metalloproteases. Despite their recognized roles in connective tissue remodeling, growth factors/receptors processing and microenvironmental signaling, we have yet to fully define the core biology associated with individual metalloproteases or exploit their activity and behavior to benefit human health and disease. Invited talks will cover the latest advances in technologies that i) allow for the tracking of metalloprotease activity within tissue microenvironments, ii) characterize nuances in physical extracellular matrix biomechanics that shape tissue biology, iii) showcase structures of and drugs for targeting metalloproteases, and iv) address new findings regarding the ability of metalloproteases to impact development, tissue niches, homeostasis and age-related diseases such as neurodegeneration, inflammation and cancer.

This meeting will provide an outstanding international forum for scientific exchange to fuel new ideas. We will prioritize presentations of unpublished data from established and emerging leaders. We encourage attendance by under-represented minorities, students, postdoctoral fellows, and junior faculty, who will have ample opportunities to present short talks selected from the submitted abstracts. The Conference will be preceded by the affiliated Gordon Research Seminar (GRS), specifically designed to highlight the work of students and postdoctoral attendees, and to provide networking opportunities.