2025 Mechanisms of Membrane Transport Gordon Research Conference and Seminar - Project Summary The 2025 Gordon Research Conference (GRC) on Mechanisms of Membrane Transport will be held at the Les Diablerets Conference Center, Switzerland, from May 25 to May 30, 2025. This marks the 29th conference in the highly esteemed GRC series, which has been ongoing since 1966. The theme of the 2025 GRC is “Crossing the Boundaries: Unraveling Molecules, Medicine, and Membrane Transport Mechanisms , focusing on the discovery of new membrane transport proteins, innovative methodologies for studying membrane transport, and the identification of new pharmacological interventions for various diseases. Concurrently, the 2025 Gordon Research Seminar (GRS) on Mechanisms of Membrane Transport, organized by graduate students and postdocs, will be held from May 24 to May 25 at the same venue. The theme of the 2025 GRS is “Understanding the Biological Role of Transporters and Channels”, concentrating on research within the context of how transport mechanisms contribute to health and disease, complementing the associated GRC's focus on the therapeutic opportunities these proteins present. The overarching goal of the 2025 GRC/GRS is to bring together scientists from all levels – from students and postdoctoral fellows to early-career researchers and leaders in the field – to advance our fundamental understanding of membrane transport function in cell membranes, promote diversity within the field, foster networking and collaborations, provide opportunities to share research and learn from others, and receive valuable mentorship from invited senior scientists. To accomplish these objectives, we have already invited and received commitments to participate from eminent scientists across many institutions, nations, and scientific fields. The conference plan includes ample discussion time, both formally after talks and informally during shared meals and organized activities, for attendees to exchange ideas and establish collaborations. More than half of our selected speakers are women, and 12% are from underrepresented minority groups. We are committed to recruiting a similarly diverse group of attendees through our meeting announcements. To support rising leaders in the field, the associated GRS will feature a panel of senior scientists who will share their experience navigating various complex career transitions commonly encountered by trainees as they mature as scientists. With these objectives and plans, we are confident that this conference will build upon the well-established success of the Mechanisms of Membrane Transport GRC.
