2026 Bones and Teeth Gordon Research Conference and Gordon Research Seminar - PROJECT SUMMARY: The skeleton is a dynamic, mineralized organ composed of many tissues with a variety of vital functions. Over the past few years, powerful new approaches have revealed unexpected complexities regarding the sources and differentiation of cells that create and maintain the skeleton but have also opened exciting avenues of research. These areas of investigation may lead to novel treatments for devastating conditions such as osteoporosis, osteopetrosis, bone cancer, and genetic disorders of the skeleton. The 2026 Bones and Teeth Gordon Research Conference will examine the intricate interplay between local cellular mechanisms and systemic factors governing bone and tooth biology. This conference will bring together leading experts and cutting-edge techniques to explore the progenitors and signaling pathways that regulate skeletal and dental development, dissect the mechanisms by which cellular populations interact within mineralized tissues, and address how bones and teeth sense and respond to the environment. We will examine how these processes go awry in aging and disease, paving the way for innovative therapeutic strategies. The conference will foster interdisciplinary collaboration and stimulate the exchange of novel ideas to advance our understanding of skeletal and dental biology and ultimately improve patient care. Our program will include speakers from all career stages and will promote ample opportunities for networking for early stage researchers. Based on the successful Gordon Research Seminar (GRS) that preceded the B&T GRCs in previous years, the GRC organization has approved a GRS associated with the 2026 B&T GRC. The 2026 B&T GRS, organized by Emily Quarato and Shawn Hallett, will be called Unraveling the Complex Interactions Between Bone and Systemic Health . The meeting will highlight emerging technologies that have significantly advanced skeletal biology research and emphasize the importance of understanding interactions with other organs and systems in health and disease. GRS will also feature a mentorship program that provides guidance to early-stage scientists on career development. This year, the mentorship component will be called “Navigating Careers Paths in Science”. Selected mentors will form a panel focused on research impact ranging from academic excellence, translational potential and valorization to scientific outreach. The organizers will select talks from submitted abstracts, and all attendees are encouraged to present posters and stay for the subsequent GRC. Based on previous experiences, young scientists are excited by GRS participation and remain highly engaged at the GRC.
