2026 Metals in Medicine Gordon Research Conference and Gordon Research Seminar - PROJECT SUMMARY The clinical successes of the platinum-based anticancer drugs, technetium-based radiopharmaceuticals, and gadolinium-based MRI contrast agents have created the interdisciplinary research area of metals in medicine, which is rapidly evolving and affording new highly effective and selective drug candidates with great translational potential. This proposal seeks funds to support the organization of the 2026 Metals in Medicine Gordon Research Conference and the companion Metals in Medicine Gordon Research Seminar (MiM GRC/GRS). The main goal of the conference and seminar is to showcase impactful discoveries in both basic and translational research, while fostering a cross-disciplinary supportive community of scientists and clinicians that provides a valuable training environment for the next generation of researchers. The specific aims of the 2026 MiM GRC “Building Momentum for Targeted Metal-Based Therapeutics and Diagnostics” and 2026 MiM GRS “'Transforming Medicine with Inorganic Chemistry” are: Aim 1) Advance the knowledge on the mode of action and use of metallodrugs to treat and diagnose human diseases. Sessions will highlight the latest findings on understanding the modes of action and activation of metal- based drugs, optimization of drug delivery strategies, metal-based compounds to treat neglected tropical diseases, radionuclide-based therapeutics and diagnostics, and inorganic chemistry-based imaging modalities. We have included a session on the clinical translation of metal-based drugs. Aim 2) Advance the knowledge on the effects of metal ions in human diseases. We have organized a session to showcase the latest advances in metal ion regulation and/or dysregulation in human disease. Relevantly, we will have a separate session in metalloneurochemistry. Aims 1 and 2 cover all bench-to-bedside scientific components of the meeting: basic, applied, translational, and clinical research for metal-ions, metal-based compounds, and materials with medicinal applications. Aim 3) Provide a multidisciplinary, engaging, and supportive environment for idea exchanges between researchers at all professional development stages. The proposed agendas for the conference and seminar include talks from invited speakers and trainees, slots for oral, flash-oral, and poster presentations, panel discussions, lunch table discussions, and informal networking sessions during coffee breaks, lunch, and dinner. Several program components are designed to feature early-career investigators (as invited speakers and giving talks selected from abstracts). The satellite MiM Gordon Research Seminar for trainees is scheduled before the GRC, facilitating contacts between junior peers before the start of the larger conference. The GRC/GRS MiM agendas are already in place with confirmed excellent speakers and discussion leaders. Multiple sessions focus on cytotoxic and targeted chemotherapeutics agents, cancer diagnostic agents, and cancer- targeting radiopharmaceuticals. The high-performing status of previous iterations of this meeting and the experience of the organizing committee guarantee a successful, exciting, and engaging conference in 2026.
