2024 Lysosomes and Endocytosis Gordon Research Conference and Gordon Research Seminar - PROJECT SUMMARY NIH supported research aims to advance our understanding of biological systems, improve the control of disease, and enhance health. Despite the well-recognized importance of connecting researchers working at the forefront of fundamental cell biology with those studying the pathogenesis and eventual treatment of disease, conferences that bridge these approaches are remarkably scant. The 2024 Gordon Research Conference on Lysosomes and Endocytosis will be particularly impactful in this area, with a theme of “Mechanisms, Molecules and Therapeutic Opportunities across the Endolysosomal System” and a distinctive focus on neurodegenerative disease including Alzheimer’s Disease and Alzheimer’s Disease Related Dementias (AD/ADRD). This conference will facilitate interaction and collaboration between cell biologists, neuroscientists, geneticists, neurologists, and others in related biomedical fields and at different stages of their career. By bringing together the leading experts working to understand normal and pathologic function across the endolysosomal system, the Lysosomes and Endocytosis GRC/GRS will be a unique opportunity to disseminate knowledge, foster interdisciplinary interactions and learning, and provide outstanding networking and mentorship opportunities. The GRC is preceded by the Gordon Research Seminar (GRS), a unique forum for trainees and early career scientists to present and exchange new data and cutting-edge ideas. The goals of the Lysosomes and Endocytosis GRC/GRS are to 1) provide a comprehensive and integrated platform for disseminating the latest discoveries related to the function and physiology of the endolysosomal system; 2) build bridges between basic and disease-focused researchers; and 3) foster discussion of new concepts, hypotheses, technical approaches, and research collaborations. An important aspect of this is to provide career development opportunities for new faculty and trainees, along with opportunities for women and others from underrepresented groups to interact with established and successful scientists. These goals will be accomplished by a broad-based and inclusive speaking program, poster sessions at which all attendees are encouraged to present, and intentional efforts to encourage discussion and social interaction outside of presentations to allow for exchange of ideas and development of collaborations and future training opportunities. This meeting is the preeminent international conference for advancing research on the endolysosomal system and will highlight the latest in new understanding of endo-lysosomal function with a particular emphasis on how defects across the endolysosomal system contribute to the triggering and progression of neurodegenerative diseases and especially Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (AD/ADRD).
