The extracellular matrix (ECM) strongly influences cell behavior and tissue homeostasis, both in normal physiology and disease. Components of the ECM have critical roles in a variety of diseases including diseases of craniofacial development, diseases of the muscular-skeletal system, tumor progression and tumor cell metastasis, diseases of the vascular system and infectious diseases. The ECM also plays a pivotal role in many developmental processes in the embryo. The recent founding of the American Society for Matrix Biology (ASMB) demonstrates the growth and new importance of the field of ECM biology and cell matrix interactions. The first meeting of the ASMB is scheduled to take place at the Marriott Galleria Hotel, Houston, TX, Nov 6-9, 2002. The target audience is composed of physicians, academic scientists and industrial researchers, as well as graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. The Keynote address will discuss the role of key secreted molecules, which control many developmental decisions including craniofacial development, skeletal development, and tooth formation. Lectures in the plenary sessions will discuss broad concepts of the mechanisms by which the ECM controls critical aspects of cell behavior during embryo development in the normal physiological functions of organs and in diseases. These sessions will include discussions on the assembly and remodeling of the ECM, the complex mechanisms by which the ECM signals to cells, how the ECM controls cell migration and motility and influences cell differentiation and fate. The concepts discussed in these sessions will be based on specific examples including studies of muscular-skeletal and skin disease, diseases of vasculogenesis, cancer progression, neuronal cell development, and embryo development. Breakout afternoon sessions will expand on these concepts and discuss progress in structural biology of ECM components, the role of the ECM in infection and host defense, in cell adhesion, in the control of blood vessel formation, in skeletal development and in chronic degenerative diseases. The program has broad implications that are closely related to the missions of several NIH institutes, including NIDCR, NIAMS, NHLBI, NCI, NICHDI, NINDS, and NIA. We anticipate that the ASMB meeting will occur on a biennial basis and the society in the near future will be able to financially support these symposia. However, for the initial meeting, we rely entirely on outside support. We are requesting $40,000 in NIH support for the 1st meeting.
