FASEB SRC: Matricellular Proteins: Fundamental Concepts and New Directions

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Matricellular proteins (MPs) are key component proteins of the extracellular matrix that are integral to modulating cell physiology. Through binding to cellular receptors, growth factors, and other ECM components this functional group of proteins regulates development and growth, regeneration, pathology, cancer, and aging. MPs are broadly expressed in many tissues, and have recognized roles in a variety of disease/pathological conditions, including, arthritis, osteoporosis, tendinopathy, type II diabetes, cardiovascular disease, retinal degeneration, cancer and metasis. We are seeking support for the 7th triennial FASEB SRC matricellular protein conference, titled “Matricelluar Proteins: Fundamental Concepts and New Directions”. The focus of this meeting which will be held in the summer of 2022 is to bring together a diverse group of established and new investigators. Our goal is to rediscover what it means for a protein to be considered a matricellular protein, and to lay a path to define the future of the field. While there are a set of proteins that are considered prototypical matricellular proteins, many new proteins that are secreted and multifunctional can also be considered MP. Considering these new proteins in the framework of the matricellular concept can help new investigators to advance their research. A plenary session will kick-off the meeting and will include a keynote speaker. This session will introduce the concepts of cell adhesion, growth factor binding, adhesion-de- adheision, and matrix-matrix interactions – canonical functions that define matricellular proteins. Over the subsequent four days, two sessions per day, each day will be focused on expanding one of these concepts. Morning sessions will focus on the aforementioned concepts, and the afternoon sessions will be focused on protein family specific presentations. Wednesday will include a 2nd keynote speaker. While most of the invited speakers and all of the session chairs have been invited and committed, we have left open speaker slots in most sessions in order to invite ‘up and coming’ scientists – trainee and early-stage investigators – with exciting new work over the next 6 months. We will request abstract submissions and two abstracts will be selected from each submitted abstract for presentation in six of the nine sessions and then there will be two poster sessions. Additional career development activities will include mentorship/mentee opportunities, career development workshops, and MP specific question/answer sessions. The organizers have been and will continue to be highly focused on fostering an inclusive environment. Both new investigators to the field and long-standing members of the MP community will attend the meeting and actively participate in this meeting, and be drawn from academia, government, and industry.