Grant: Planning and Dissemination Grant - Institute Community Support

The Gordon Research Seminar (GRS) on Protein Processing, Trafficking and Secretion is a unique opportunity for graduate students, post-docs and other scientists from all over the world to share and discuss new data and ideas as a prelude to the Gordon Research Conference. The central topic of this meeting will be the study of the cellular and molecular processes of the secretory pathway with focus on the recent advances in regulation of membrane trafficking. The main objective is to expose the scientific questions and technical challenges that confront the field and offer an introduction to new and powerful technology available. Finally, the continued study of the secretory pathway retains indisputable importance owing to its primary role in the etiology of several types of diseases including cardiovascular and metabolic (e.g. diabetes, fatty liver disease), neurological, developmental and oncogenic. The GRS incites all participants to present unpublished, high-impact research in the form of oral or poster presentations, allowing researchers to exchange ideas at the forefront of the field. The seminar will include a keynote lecture by a leading scientist in the field and close with a mentoring session by scientists in the public and private sector to provide guidance for the next generation of research scientists. In summary, the exceptional environment and the design of the symposium propel young researchers in their careers by perfecting oral presentations skills; developing critical thinking aptitude by actively engaging in discussions in their research field; and making strong connections with other young researchers, panelists from the government and industry and with more established leaders in their field. We seek support from CIHR-INMD to help fund this GRS. Funds will be used to partially cover registration and travel for conference attendees, allowing more junior scientists beyond borders to attend the conference ensuring a successful meeting.