Connecting G Protein-Coupled Receptor Mechanisms to Physiological Functions

The Gordon Research Conference (GRC) on Molecular Pharmacology will integrate basic and translational research and highlight the most recent advances on G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) function at a mechanistic and physiological level. It will further address aspects of GPCR biology involved in disease and pathologies, with an emphasis on opioid addiction and tolerance, but also including cardiovascular disease, inflammation and cancer. Sessions will showcase approaches to GPCR signaling from atomic, single molecule, cell biological and whole organism levels. This will allow investigators and trainees to see first hand the connections between the rapidly emerging molecular details of GPCR mechanisms and the ever-expanding cellular, physiological and pathophysiological functions of these receptors.

The program will include the following general areas: i) structure and dynamics of receptors and receptor complexes, ii) ligand-biased signaling and receptor internalization iii) GPCR signaling in physiology and diseases with an emphasis on animal models, (iv) chemical targeting of orphan and atypical GPCRs v) GPCRs in addiction and tolerance, vi) G protein signaling.