The Elastin and Elastic Fibers GRC originated in 1979 and has a distinguished history as the leading forum for the development of new ideas on the mechanism of elastic fiber assembly and role that elastic fibers play in tissue homeostasis and disease. The Conference is unique in the depth of its coverage of elastin biology, spanning from detailed, high-resolution structural studies of elastin and fibrillin, to in vitro assembly assays, to functional in vivo research with transgenic and knockout animals, to human disease, and finally to biomaterials and therapies. Over the past decade, the breadth of the Conference has also exploded with the identification and study of numerous elastic fiber-associated proteins, such as the fibulins, latent TGF-beta binding proteins, emilins, proteoglycans and lysyl oxidases. Research on these proteins has emphasized the complexity of the elastic fiber and highlighted the need for new collaborative studies between the biochemists, cell biologists and clinicians in the field. The 2009 Conference will focus on the most recent, exciting developments in the field from the past two years and stimulate discussion among the participants from diverse disciplines and backgrounds. Traditional sessions on elastin and fibrillin structure and assembly, and on tissue engineering of elastogenic materials will be included, however, new to the 2009 Conference will be the incorporation of this research into distinct sessions that revolve around specific tissue damage and repair that are critically dependent on elastin for structure and function, in the dermis, lung destruction and organogenesis, and angiogenesis. Also new to the 2009 Conference, will be a session on the interplay of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications of more sophisticated models that elucidate the interplay of elastin-associated macromolecules with an increasing interest in actively intervening in elastic tissue repair. In each morning session, time will be allocated to highlight 3 posters so as to emphasize the exciting research presented by our young researchers at the two poster sessions. To further encourage these young people, 3 poster prizes will be awarded at the final session. Overall, the GRC format differs from almost all other scientific meetings in that it provides an extensive opportunity for open, free and informal discussion. The success of each Conference is attributable to the participation of leaders in the field, new ideas and insight from young investigators, the presentation of unpublished data, engaging formal and informal discussions, and limited size and geographical isolation. In light of the success of past Elastin and Elastic Fiber GRCs, there is no question that the research presented and the discussions that will ensue at the 2009 Conference will lead to new and productive collaborations that will advance the field and uncover novel avenues of elastic fiber investigation.
Elastin is the only elastic protein in higher vertebrates and so is essential for the mechanical properties of tissues that undergo expansion and recoil, including the lung, the blood vessels, the bladder, and the skin. Therefore understanding the normal biology and abnormal pathology of elastin and elastic fiber proteins is important for lung diseases including emphysema, pulmonary hypertension, and pulmonary fibrosis, diseases of the blood vessels including atherosclerosis, aneurysms, and hypertension, and loss of elastic properties in the skin associated with excess exposure to sunlight and aging.
