The American Society for Matrix Biology (ASMB), founded in 2000, will sponsor its 9th Biennial Conference
October 14-17, 2018, in Las Vegas, NV. The ASMB promotes the field of matrix biology in order to disseminate
knowledge about the extracellular matrix (ECM) and to translate this knowledge to improve human health and
aging and better treat human disease. The theme of ASMB 2018 is “ECM Microenvironments in Disease, Aging,
and Regeneration.” The specific aims of this R13 application are:
(1) To disseminate and integrate new knowledge about ECM microenvironments in disease, aging, and
regeneration. The overall program of ASMB 2018 reflects the diverse interests of the matrix biology scientific
community. In addition, the program has been designed to welcome expanding and evolving areas of interest:
cancer biology and tumor microenvironments; aging-related diseases involving ECM, cardiovascular and
musculoskeletal regeneration; new technologies to study ECM in disease; and novel strategies for therapeutic
interventions.
(2) To promote the careers of young scientists. To achieve this aim, ASMB 2018 has selected newly appointed
Assistant Professors to chair and speak in 7 of the 17 Concurrent Sessions. Four talks will be selected from
submitted abstracts in each of the Concurrent Sessions, giving trainees and young scientists opportunities to
speak. In addition, ASMB 2018 will offer trainees (postdoctoral fellows and graduate students) the opportunity to
organize and chair special interest sessions (SIS). Two career mentoring breakfasts as well as highly interactive
poster sessions will also support career development. Junior Investigator and the new Founders' Award will
promote young scientists. ASMB will provide travel awards to competitive trainees.
(3) To promote the careers of women and under-represented minorities. To achieve this aim, ASMB 2018 will
showcase the work of 5 women (of 14 speakers) in the Plenary Sessions and 8 women (of 17 speakers) in the
concurrent sessions. Of the 32 invited speakers, 13 are women (41%). A mentoring breakfast devoted to career
development issues particular to women will be also be held. In the selection of speakers, we have also focused
on including speakers from under-represented minority backgrounds. ASMB will also provide 3 travel awards to
underrepresented minority trainees.
These Specific Aims are consistent with the mission of the NIH and the goals of the R13 funding mechanism.
R13 funds will be allocated to partially support travel and/or housing expenses for the invited speakers, for travel
awards for trainees and for scientists from under-represented minority backgrounds, and for the poster sessions.
