2026 Marine Natural Products Gordon Research Conference and Gordon Research Seminar - Project Summary Natural products research involves highly interdisciplinary fields focused on translation of chemically and biologically complex natural products to applications for human health and health outcomes. The evolution of natural products as potentially multifunctional ligands with highly specific affinities for health-relevant targets has provided opportunities to develop therapeutic agents for cancers, infectious diseases, and neurological disorders, as well as for multisystem, multicomponent diseases and conditions. Natural products from the marine environment have provided unique molecular scaffolds that interact with biological targets and signaling pathways to effect changes in phenotype and physiology, resulting in several that have translated to clinical use. In addition, transformational advances in biosynthesis, target profiling, and analytical technologies are poised for incorporation in computational tools using machine learning for discovery of natural products and their biological signatures. The 2026 Marine Natural Products (MNP) Gordon Research Seminar (GRS) and Gordon Research Conference (GRC) are planned for February 28 – March 6, 2026, in Ventura, California. The GRS is a unique forum for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows to present and exchange new data and innovative ideas across the scope of basic and applied MNP research. The GRC will bring together early career and established researchers from academia, industry, and government (including all GRS participants) to address the discovery, characterization and functional development of MNPs. Sessions will focus on technological advances to spur new discovery, discovery of new molecular targets and receptors, computational informatics challenges and opportunities, symbiosis and microbiome interactions to facilitate discovery, biosynthesis and bioengineering for molecule and target discovery, bioactive molecules from marine sources, integrating novel synthetic approaches for enhanced discovery, and marine biogeochemistry to address microbial challenges. Our specific aims for the conference include: (1) providing a forum for emerging and established scientific leaders to present cutting-edge MNP research; (2) stimulating multi-disciplinary collaborations and providing opportunities for interdisciplinary activities; (3) highlighting biological targets, physiological function, and translational applications of MNPs; and (4) providing training for graduate students and early career scientists to promote broad participation. The collegial atmosphere of the MNP GRS and GRC will foster collaborations, provide training opportunities, and promote exchange of ideas amongst leaders in the field and new participants. NIH support will be used to enhance participation by graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and early career faculty at the GRC, as well as for postdoctoral fellows and graduate students attending the GRS. Ample opportunities for scientific exchange and networking, both in and outside of meeting sessions, will foster new collaborations that bridge scientific disciplines and potentiate paradigm shifts in natural product sciences.
