The Cell Contact and Adhesion GRC is a premier, international scientific conference focused on advancing the frontiers of science through the presentation of cutting-edge and unpublished research, prioritizing time for discussion after each talk and fostering informal interactions among scientists of all career stages. The conference program includes a diverse range of speakers and discussion leaders from institutions and organizations worldwide, concentrating on the latest developments in the field. The conference is five days long and held in a remote location to increase the sense of camaraderie and create scientific communities, with lasting collaborations and friendships. In addition to premier talks, the conference has designated time for poster sessions from individuals of all career stages, and afternoon free time and communal meals allow for informal networking opportunities with leaders in the field.
The ability of cells to change shape and move without disrupting tissue integrity relies on the roles of cell-cell adhesive junctions, and underlies embryonic and post-embryonic development, tissue homeostasis, regeneration and wound healing. Alterations in cell-cell junctions lead to human developmental disorders, and, through their role in cancer metastasis, correlate with poor outcomes in cancer patients. It’s an exceptionally exciting time in our field, as cell and developmental biologists, biochemists, biophysicists, and engineers take increasingly multidisciplinary approaches to address the underlying biological questions, and harness this information to better treat disease. The 2025 Cell Contact and Adhesion Conference will feature the latest and most exciting findings in cell adhesion biology obtained using cutting-edge technologies. Talks will focus on the role of cell adhesion in guiding development, behavior, and human disease. We will provide multiple opportunities for trainees and early-stage investigators to showcase their research, gain visibility in the field, and receive constructive feedback through poster sessions and short talks chosen from the submitted abstracts, and through the associated two-day Gordon Research Seminar (GRS) exclusively for graduate students and postdocs. We will encourage community building through shared meals, unstructured free time, and targeted professional development opportunities, to promote scientific discussion, share mentoring advice, and facilitate old and new collaborations.
