NOX Biology and Its Translation to Human Disease and Therapy

The Gordon Research Conference on NOX Family NADPH Oxidases meets biannually, alternating between US and European sites so as to attract a broad range of international scientists active in this rapidly growing field of biomedical research. The 2012 meeting also includes the first NOX Gordon Research Seminar for research trainees. The NOX GRC features cutting-edge unpublished work presented by experts across the NOX field, whereas the NOX GRS is geared specifically to the interests and needs of young research trainees in the field, primarily graduate students and post-doctoral fellows.

NADPH oxidases of the NOX family have in recent years been shown to comprise the predominant source of reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by most types of cells. It is abundantly clear that the science in this field is moving very rapidly, with many exciting advances in understanding of the basic biochemistry and cell biology of the NOX family of enzymes, particularly the contrasting properties and functional roles of the seven discrete isoforms comprising the family. Moreover, NOX-generated ROS are directly involved in a wide range of both physiologic and pathologic processes. Many linkages between NOX enzymes and disease pathogenesis are being elucidated and this knowledge is dramatically accelerating advances in the identification of new and often unexpected therapeutic targets and development of disease-modifying pharmacologic agents. The NOX Gordon Conference program has been clearly established as the top forum for the presentation and discussion of the latest advances in this field. Thus, the 2012 NOX GRC/GRS meetings promise to be timely, exciting, and paradigm-challenging.

The agenda for the meeting has been developed around the theme of "NOX Biology and its Translation to Human Disease and Therapy." The conference program comprises nine scientific sessions, four with basic themes and five with a disease-oriented translational emphasis, including one session devoted entirely to recent exciting advances in the development and testing of small-molecule NOX inhibitors. Each session features a discussion leader and three to four speakers, plus a number of young investigator presentations selected from among >70 poster abstracts. There will be ample time for vigorous discussion after each talk. The GRS program features speakers selected from among trainee abstracts, as well as career development components and mentoring by senior scientists. Attracting a diverse group of participants is a major priority, as reflected for example in the high prevalence of women scientists (40%) listed in the final GRC program.