2025 Silk Proteins and the Transition to Biotechnologies Gordon Research Conference and Gordon Research Seminar - Enter the text here that is the new abstract information for your application. This section must be no longer than 30 lines of text. The upcoming Gordon Research Conference and Seminar aims to create a forum to discuss bridging the basic science and applied technologies that are emerging utilizing silk-based materials (from medical devices to technical textiles). Our objectives are; to explore the impact of cutting edge paradigm-shifting basic science research, raise community awareness of today’s industrial and clinical challenges to help inform and guide effective research efforts, address knowledge transfer challenges in silk technology development, build and enhance cohesiveness, collegiality and collaboration whilst expanding our community to encompass more world-leading researchers. This will be achieved by bringing together experts in the field of silk from academia and industry from around the world to focus on current advances in the understanding and utilization of this unique family of proteins, from silkworms and spiders, from the perspectives of both basis science and applied technologies. With this conference we aim to inspire all our researchers and industrialists by introducing them to the variety of silk-related topics and integrating them into the silk community through networking sessions (via the GRS and Poster sessions) as well as panels devoted to all stages of career development (the GRC Power Hour). Our GRC/GRS will address silk challenges from both fundamental and applied/translational perspectives. Topics will include protein biochemistry, biophysics, molecular biology, zoology, materials science and engineering, biomedical applications. These key challenges and opportunities in the field of silk science and technology will be addressed through multidisciplinary discussions, serving as platforms to foster collaborations among peers and showcase cutting-edge research. Specific sessions will address silk protein structure-function relationships, analyze the performance of various silk fibers and material formats—including recombinant alternatives—and explore the design of new materials, systems, and devices based on silk. The conference will consider the state of advances in fundamental insights into silk polymer chain design, self-assembly, and functional outcomes, highlighting their implications for advancing device applications. With a focus on the commercialization of silk-based products, the conference will cover the entire value chain, particularly emphasizing the environmental impact of these materials. This is timely given the recent emphasis on sustainable technologies and green chemistry. Green silk production offers a promising avenue for sustainable innovation, such as applications of silk in preservation of food or textile industry. The conference will explore these and more topics, aiming to provide long-term, meaningful impacts on the sustainable polymer field.
