2023 Phagocytes Gordon Research Conference and Gordon Research Seminar

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PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT The Phagocyte Gordon Conference (GRC) and associated Gordon Research Seminar (GRS) will be held June 3-9, 2023 at Waterville Valley, NH. This will be the 22nd iteration of this GRC. Phagocytes are cells that have the capacity to engulf other cells or particles. Phagocytes include cells of the immune system such as neutrophils, monocytes/macrophages, and dendritic cells, analogous cell types in flies and worms, “nonclassical” phagocytes like microglia, and single-celled amoeba. While phagocytes are central to immunity, they also play roles in tissue homeostasis and development. When dysregulated, phagocytes contribute to prominent pathologies including atherosclerosis, diabetes, cancer, autoimmunity, and infectious diseases. The theme of the 2023 Phagocytes GRC is “Molecular and Cellular Diversity in Host Defense and Inflammation.” It will be the premier forum for sharing the most recent unpublished discoveries in phagocyte biology. Featured topics include phagocyte differentiation and plasticity, mechanisms of migration and phagocytosis, autophagy and cell death mechanisms, microglia and neuroinflammation, phagocytes in cancer, host-pathogen interactions, phagocyte crosstalk, interaction with the microbiota, and technological innovations in phagocyte biology. Novel translational approaches for phagocytes in different diseases will also be covered. Attendees are leading international scientists in cell biology, molecular genetics, microbiology, immunology, bioengineering, and clinical medicine. The average attendance is 148 attendees. In 2022 (postponed from 2021 due to COVID-19), 52.3% of attendees were women and 55.4% were graduate students or postdocs. The 2023 Phagocytes GRC features 13 female and 11 male invited speakers (54.2% female), with one keynote speaker, who will present their exciting unpublished findings. 37.5% of speakers identify as URM. Nine sessions will be chaired by discussion leaders who are experts in the field. As in past GRCs, 16 early-career scientists (graduate students, postdocs, assistant professors) will be selected for short talks based on submitted abstracts, and another 16 will give a brief preview of their poster. Approximately 120 posters will be presented in sessions that do not overlap with the talks. To enhance the participation and professional development of students and postdocs, a GRS will take place immediately prior to the start of the GRC (June 3-4). Organized and chaired by trainees, the GRS is an inclusive environment for the next generation of phagocyte scientists to share their research and build community. A comprehensive Diversity Plan will ensure that attendees and presenters are from diverse backgrounds and the conference environment is inclusive and equitable. The 2023 Phagocytes GRC and GRS will serve as a nexus for sharing cutting-edge unpublished research in phagocyte biology, thereby facilitating communication and collaboration between investigators studying different aspects of phagocytes, providing an inclusive and supportive environment for trainees and young investigators to network, and ultimately identifying translational and therapeutic targets of phagocytes in human health.