The third Notch Signaling in Development, Regeneration & Disease meeting (July 31 - August 5, 2016 at Bates College, Maine) addresses a major unmet need in the American scientific community by convening scientists from both academia and industry around a fundamentally important developmental signaling pathway broadly relevant to health and disease. Although the first Notch phenotype was described over a century ago, studies elucidating the components and molecular events responsible for Notch signal transduction have accelerated since the early 1980s following the cloning of the Drosophila Notch receptor. Such studies have shown that Notch signal transduction requires cell-cell contact, have established that ligand-induced proteolysis of Notch produces a transcriptional regulator that stimulates expression of target genes, and have demonstrated that post-translational modifications of the receptor are critical for modulating ligand- responsiveness. Studies in model organisms have demonstrated the importance of the Notch pathway in numerous cell fate decisions, and human genetic studies have now established that mutations of core Notch pathway components underlie several developmental syndromes (Alagille's Syndrome, Spondylocostal Dysostosis, aortic valve disease), adult onset diseases (CADASIL, various heart and valve malformations) and cause or contribute to cancer initiation, promotion or progression in a tissue-dependent manner. Antibodies and pathway inhibitors directed at Notch dependence in certain cancers with gain-of-function mutations have entered clinical trials for testing as potential anti-cancer therapeutics, but effective deployment of Notc modulators in the clinic poses distinct challenges around efficacy (what tumors are most likely to respond), and around toxicity because of the importance of Notch in maintaining homeostasis of certain adult tissues (such as the gut). Thus, the main goal of the meeting is to establish a US forum to stimulate cross-disciplinary discussions and collaborations among participating scientists in this critically important area of developmental biology and signaling, and nurture a developing sense of community among researchers in the field. The meeting program will bring together scientists from academia, biotech and the pharmaceutical industry addressing fundamental mechanistic, developmental, clinical and therapeutic questions using diverse approaches. The invited participants include a blend of established thought leaders with vast institutional memory and early career scientists with exciting new findings. Importantly, the informal and confidential environment of Gordon conferences (GRCs) encourages free scientific exchange. Finally, the inclusion and integration of a Gordon Research Seminar (GRS) exclusively for postdocs and graduate students prior to the main conference is a particular asset in drawing new scientists into the field and encouraging participation from trainees at all levels. Most importantly, the combined GRC/GRS format excels in integrating students, postdocs and investigators wishing to enter a new field, such as the study of this important signaling pathway.
The goal of the proposed Gordon Research Conference and Gordon Research Seminar on Notch signaling in development, regeneration and disease is to provide a stimulating, international and cross disciplinary forum for the dissemination and discussion of new research, concepts, and therapeutic opportunities at the forefront of Notch related biology. The Notch signaling pathway is a central mediator of short-range inter-cellular communication in multicellular organisms, and alterations of Notch activity underlie or contribute to a growing list of developmental syndromes, adult onset diseases and cancers, expanding the interest in this pathway well beyond the boundaries of basic developmental and cell biology and into the areas of stem cell biology, cancer biology and therapeutics. The meeting will bring together a diverse community of scientists from academia, biotech and the pharmaceutical industry working in nearly every model organism and organ system, creating a stimulating scientific environment in a relaxed setting where cutting edge technologies, ideas and discoveries can be exchanged and where students and research fellows will gain exposure to leaders in the field.
