Cilia and Centrosomes

For nearly a decade, this conference has been the premier international meeting for studying cilia and centrosomes—tiny organelles with significant biological impact. Cilia function as cellular "antennae," detecting signals and regulating essential processes such as development, metabolism, and sensory functions. Centrosomes serve as cellular organizational hubs, controlling the assembly of cilia, trafficking, and cell division. What began as research into rare genetic conditions, such as ciliopathies and centrosomopathies, has expanded dramatically. 

This year’s conference will offer a unique opportunity to connect with leading experts exploring these biological functions from every angle. From structural biologists to clinicians, the program will span groundbreaking discoveries in model organisms to cutting-edge translational research. This will be an optimal opportunity for researchers studying a broad range of disciplines to collaborate on how these aspects determine human health and disease.

The agenda will reflect an overarching theme of profiling cilia and centrosome diversity across developmental time and cell fates, and how this relates to function. It will also explore how cilia signal within cells and across cells to regulate tissue responses in development and disease.

Attendees will learn about:

· The latest imaging modalities for increased resolution and improved dynamics.

· Novel approaches to profile cilia and centrosomes using spatial proteomics in cells and in vivo.

· Perspectives on cilia and centrosomes in disease diagnosis, onset, and progression, as well as ways to target therapeutically.

Program Topics

· Ciliopathies: disease genetics and therapeutics

· Cilia and centrosome architecture

· Cilia and centrosome dynamics

· Diversity of cilia and centrosomes

· Cilia and centrosomes in neural health and disease

· Motile cilia in health and disease

· Biophysics of cilia and centrosomes

· Cilia and centrosome signaling 

· Cilia and centrosomes in cancer

· Cilia and centrosomes in metabolism

Workshops

A Meet the Experts session will feature senior scientists and small groups of early-career investigators for discussions on research methods, career trajectories, publishing, and more.

Two Career Development Workshops will be held:

· Early-career researchers will discuss alternative career paths with experts from academia, industry, biotech, publishing, policy, advocacy, government, investing, and law. 

· Mid-career academics will have the opportunity to discuss key bottlenecks in tenure, promotion, grants and sponsorship, and mentoring relationships. There will be a special focus on resilience following the COVID-19 pandemic and uncertainty in federal funding and support.