The 2020 Gordon Research Conference (GRC) and Gordon Research Seminar (GRS) on Visual System Development are a paired set of biennial meetings that bring together investigators studying development, disease and evolution of the visual system. Over the years, these meetings have provided an exciting and unique forum in which to explore the similarities and differences underlying visual system development and function across a broad range of species. The goal of these meetings is to foster an appreciation of common principles that mediate the construction and function of the visual system in diverse organisms, and to share the latest exciting new ideas and findings on this topic. By including sessions that highlight emerging topics with translational impact, such as ?Retinal regeneration? and ?Development of the primate retina?, the meeting will also expand its scope and stimulate cross-talk between developmental biologists and investigators focused on translational aspects of vision science. The GRS provides a unique platform for students and postdoctoral research fellows in the visual research field to share current, unpublished research amongst their peers. The format of the GRC and GRS meetings provides a highly interactive and stimulating venue for cross- fertilization of ideas and developing new collaboration. The Visual System Development GRC has established a reputation as the leading conference in its field, and is the only meeting on the topic that brings together vision researchers working on the full range of experimental systems in the field, ranging from Drosophila to human. The current proposal requests funds to help defray conference fees for attendees at both meetings. The Visual System GRC and GRS will feature scientists at the cutting edge of the field, with careful attention taken to ensure gender, ethnic, and geographic diversity, and to include scientists at all stages of their careers.
In 2012, over 20.6 million adult Americans and 285 million people worldwide suffered from low or no vision, making this a significant public health problem. This number is expected to more than double by 2050. This conference seeks to bring basic ocular researchers from the widest possible range of disciplines together with clinicians, to promote understanding of visual system development and disease, and to develop new approaches for treating vision disorders. This meeting also promotes the six major objectives of the NEI Framework for Vision Research (http://www.nei.nih.gov/strategicplanning), most notably to ?gather knowledge of the molecular basis of ocular health and disease? and ?strengthen the pool of vision researchers?.
