The Yin and Yang of Phagocytes: Regulators of Human Health and Disease

Phagocytes, including neutrophils, monocyte/macrophages and dendritic cells, are defined by their ability to ingest other cells or particles. These cells play a central role in innate and adaptive immunity. However, it is now apparent that phagocytes are also critical for maintaining tissue homeostasis, and when thrown out of balance their activities can cause pathological changes that contribute to some of the most prevalent diseases seen globally, including chronic inflammatory diseases such as atherosclerosis and diabetes. Reflecting this, the theme of the 2017 Phagocytes GRC is "The Yin and Yang of Phagocytes: Regulators of Human Health and Disease" and it will be a forum for in depth discussions of the most recent discoveries in phagocyte biology. The meeting will highlight the latest advances in our understanding of inflammation and its resolution, host-pathogen interactions with insight into the mechanisms of infectious disease, elucidating critical underlying mechanisms of phagocyte function in obesity, HIV mediated neuropathies and in cancer. The translational value and the development of new therapies for phagocyte-related diseases will also be discussed. The conference draws from a world-wide group of scientists with diverse backgrounds in cell biology, molecular genetics, microbiology, immunology, bioengineering, and clinical medicine and has been an important venue for disseminating information and facilitating communication between investigators studying different facets of phagocyte function. The program includes sessions, chaired by discussion leaders who are experts in the field, where speakers will present their latest and most exciting unpublished findings. As participation of junior scientists is a key goal of the meeting, the conference will also include ~100 posters, and additional speakers will be chosen from among the submitted abstracts.

To further promote the participation and professional development of students and postdoctoral fellows, the conference will preceded by a Gordon Graduate Research Seminar (GRS).