Calcium and Cell Function

Since 1987, this conference has been the premier platform for presenting the latest breakthroughs and discoveries in the calcium signaling field. This area of research has been constantly bolstered by discovering new gene-encoding signaling components and regulatory elements. It represents a rapidly evolving area of research with high translational potential as many diseases are causally related to dysregulation of the calcium signaling machinery, including cardiovascular, immunoinflammatory, metabolic, and neurological disorders.

This year’s conference aims to present and integrate research advances in disparate areas of calcium signaling to foster new national and international collaborative projects. It will also be a venue for encouraging and supporting early-career investigators and members of historically excluded groups to ensure that the study of this discipline remains vigorous. This meeting will also accelerate the translation of fundamental advances into novel clinical treatments by connecting academic and industrial researchers.

Goals and Takeaways

· The application of new technologies to study calcium signaling

· The most recent research and knowledge in calcium channels and transports

· An increased understanding of inter-organelle calcium signaling

· How the role of calcium signaling relates to physiological functions and diseases

Program Topics

· New technologies to study calcium signaling

· Calcium channels and transporters

· Store-operated calcium channels and TRP channels

· Mitochondrial calcium signaling

· Calcium signaling at membrane contact sites

· Calcium signaling in the nervous system

· Calcium signaling and diseases

· Calcium signaling in the real world

· Recent breakthroughs in research

Workshops
The conference will feature three one-hour roundtable workshops providing early-career researchers with opportunities to discuss relevant topics within navigating a career in science. 

Session Topics:

1. Success in academia featuring assistant, associate, and full professors

2. Navigating the federal grant system with Zhongzhen Nie, PhD, program officer at NIH

3. Industry careers featuring CEOs of top biotech companies