The 2018 Gordon Research Conference on Ligand Recognition and Molecular Gating will address the molecular mechanisms and physiological roles of three important classes of membrane proteins: ion channels, transporters and G-protein coupled receptors. These membrane proteins play key roles in human physiology and they have been implicated in a large number of neuromuscular, endocrine, cardiac and metabolic diseases. They are also major drug targets, accounting for more than 50% of the currently available drugs on the market. Several new and medically important structures of transporters, channels and signalling complexes will be presented at this GRC. We will also discuss the latest scientific progress in understanding the fundamental principles of their action, such as proton and substrate coupling in transport, gating mechanisms of channels, and the formation of different signalling complexes. We will also present techniques that can be applied to study the mechanism of these membrane proteins. Finally, we will get updates on their roles in human physiology and their exploitation as drug targets.
All participants are asked to submit abstracts and bring posters, from which we will select additional speakers for short talks. A Gordon Research Seminar (GRS) will precede the GRC and will provide young scientists with an opportunity to present their work and to meet experienced scientists in an informal setting. We strongly encourage graduate students and post-doctoral fellows to apply to the GRS and to stay for the GRC. We would also like to invite scientists from industry, as the membrane proteins discussed at this GRC/GRS are major drug targets. We would like to encourage minorities and people with disabilities to apply. We are trying to secure funding to support in part those with financial constraints.