Conference Description
The Molecular Pharmacology 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scientific conference focused on advancing the frontiers of science through the presentation of cutting-edge and unpublished research, prioritizing time for discussion after each talk and fostering informal interactions among scientists of all career stages.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.
The 2025 Molecular Pharmacology Gordon Research Conference and Seminar (GRC/GRS), set to take place in Ventura, California, is poised to be a pivotal event that redefines the exploration of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) in health and disease, unveiling new horizons in GPCR research through advanced multimodal approaches. As the cornerstone of this year's theme, "Harnessing the Power of Advanced Multimodal Approaches to GPCR Drug Discovery," we are committed to fostering a multidisciplinary environment where the brightest minds from academia, government, and industry can come together. Our agenda is carefully designed to highlight the forefront of GPCR research, including the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning with both traditional and novel experimental techniques to unlock the full therapeutic potential of GPCRs. The conference will feature a dynamic array of presentations and interactive sessions, highlighting breakthroughs in understanding GPCR signaling mechanisms, and their role as targets for new precision therapies for a myriad of human diseases. Participants will have a unique opportunity to engage in discussions that bridge the gap between computational and experimental methodologies, fostering collaborations that could revolutionize therapeutic strategies for a host of disease conditions. By exploring the synergy between advanced multimodal approaches, the conference aims to accelerate the journey from conceptual frameworks to clinical applications, spotlighting novel targets and therapeutic candidates. Aligned with the GRC’s mission to cultivate a free-thinking, accessible, and egalitarian community, the 2025 Molecular Pharmacology GRC/GRS encourages scientists at all levels of their career to participate, share their insights, and contribute to the collective quest to address the most pressing questions in GPCR biology. Join us in Ventura for a transformative experience, where the fusion of technology and science opens new pathways to discovery, and where your contributions can help shape the future of molecular pharmacology and the development of therapies targeting GPCRs.
The topics, speakers, and discussion leaders for the conference sessions are displayed below. The conference chair is currently developing their detailed program, which will include the complete meeting schedule, as well as the talk titles for all speakers. The detailed program will be available by October 19, 2024. Please check back for updates.
Keynote Session: Understanding Ligand Intrinsic Efficacy
Discussion Leaders
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Michel Bouvier (Université de Montréal, Canada)
Speakers
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Jonathan Javitch (Columbia University / New York State Psychiatric Institute, United States)
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Arthur Christopoulos (Monash University, Australia)
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Robert Lefkowitz (Howard Hughes Medical Institute / Duke University Medical Center, United States)
Functional Dynamics and Single-Molecule Visualization of Signaling
Discussion Leaders
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Graham Ladds (University of Cambridge, United Kingdom)
Speakers
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Matthew Eddy (University of Florida, United States)
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Dimitrios Stamou (University of Copenhagen, Denmark)
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Joshua Levitz (Weill Cornell Medicine, United States)
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R. Scott Prosser (University of Toronto, Canada)
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Ka Young Chung (Sungkyunkwan University, South Korea)
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Rajan Lamichhane (University of Tennessee Knoxville, United States)
AI-Driven GPCR analysis and Drug Discovery
Discussion Leaders
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M. Madan Babu (St Jude Children's Research Hospital, United States)
Speakers
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David Ascher (University of Queensland, Australia)
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Edward Miller (Schrodinger, Inc., United States)
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Yinglong Miao (University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, United States)
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Nagarajan Vaidehi (Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, United States)
Revolutionizing GPCR-Targeted Drug Discovery with Advanced Technologies
Discussion Leaders
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Heidi Hamm (Vanderbilt University, United States)
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Laura Bohn (UF Scripps Research, United States)
Speakers
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Bryan Roth (UNC Chapel Hill Medical School, United States)
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Amy Newman (National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, NIH, United States)
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Aashish Manglik (University of California, San Francisco, United States)
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Andrew Kruse (Harvard Medical School, United States)
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Michelle Halls (Monash University, Australia)
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Mikel Garcia-Marcos (Boston University, United States)
Bridging GPCR Signaling and Immune Regulation: Emerging Insights and Therapeutic Avenues
Discussion Leaders
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Jin Zhang (University of California, San Diego, United States)
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JoAnn Trejo (University of California, San Diego, United States)
Speakers
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Martine Smit (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, The Netherlands)
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Tracy Handel (University of California San Diego, United States)
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Ann Richmond (Vanderbilt University, United States)
The Central Role of GPCRs in Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology
Discussion Leaders
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Mertixell Canals (University of Nottingham, United Kingdom)
Speakers
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Venetia Zachariou (Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine at Boston University, United States)
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Sophie Bradley (Nxera Pharma, United Kingdom)
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Andrew Tobin (University of Glasgow, United Kingdom)
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Laura Duvall (Columbia University, United States)
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Demet Araç (University of Chicago, United States)
GPCRs at the Heart of Metabolism: Unlocking New Avenues for Disease Intervention
Discussion Leaders
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Lora Heisler (University of Aberdeen, United Kingdom)
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Denise Wootten (Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Australia)
Speakers
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Alexander Pfeifer (University of Bonn, University Hospital Bonn, Germany)
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Jurgen Wess (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, NIH, United States)
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Jonathan Campbell (Duke University, United States)
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Fiona Gribble (University of Cambridge, UK, United Kingdom)
Exploring GPCRs' Impact on Intracellular Signaling Landscapes
Discussion Leaders
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Arun K Shukla (Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, India)
Speakers
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Mark von Zastrow (University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine, United States)
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Nikoleta Tsvetanova (Duke University, United States)
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Roshanak Irannejad (University of California, San Francisco, United States)
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Stefan Offermanns (Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Germany)
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Asuka Inoue (Tohoku University/Kyoto University, Japan)
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Miriam Stoeber (University of Geneva, Switzerland)
Keynote Session: Expanding Horizons in GPCRs in Health and Disease
Discussion Leaders
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Roger Sunahara (University of California, San Diego, United States)
Speakers
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Ramiro Iglesias-Bartolome (National Cancer Institute, United States)
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Doreen Thor (RSI for Biochemistry, Leipzig University, Germany)
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Patrick Sexton (Monash University, Australia)
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Brian Kobilka (Stanford University, United States)
The GRC Power Hour™
Organizers
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Venetia Zachariou (Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine at Boston University, United States)