Project Summary
The 2024 Gordon Research Conference (GRC) and Gordon Research Seminar (GRS) on Visual System
Development are a paired set of biennial meetings that bring together investigators studying development,
disease and evolution of the visual system. Over the years, these meetings have provided an exciting and
unique forum in which to explore the similarities and differences underlying visual system development and
function across a broad range of species. The goal of these meetings is to foster an appreciation of common
principles that mediate the construction and function of the visual system in diverse organisms, and to share the
latest exciting new ideas and findings on this topic. By including sessions that highlight emerging topics with
translational impact, such as “Retinal regeneration and repair”, “Development and dysfunction of the primate
retina” and “Retinal disease and aging”, the meeting will also expand its scope and stimulate cross-talk between
developmental biologists and investigators focused on translational aspects of vision science. The GRS
provides a unique platform for students and postdoctoral research fellows in the visual research field to share
current, unpublished research amongst their peers.
The format of the GRC and GRS meetings provides a highly interactive and stimulating venue for cross-
fertilization of ideas and developing new collaboration. The Visual System Development GRC has established
a reputation as the leading conference in its field and is the only meeting on the topic that brings together vision
researchers working on the full range of experimental systems in the field, ranging from Drosophila to
human. The current proposal requests funds to help defray conference fees for attendees at both
meetings. The Visual System GRC and GRS will feature scientists at the cutting edge of the field, with careful
attention taken to ensure gender, ethnic, and geographic diversity, and to include scientists at all stages of their
careers.