2026 Signal Transduction by Engineered Extracellular Matrices Gordon Research Conference and Gordon Research Seminar

About This Grant

Project Summary The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a complex biopolymer network that defines the structure and mechanics of solid tissue and can profoundly regulate cell function in development, physiology, and disease. As a result, there has been an enormous effort to create engineered systems and biomaterials that mimic tissue properties and model cell-ECM crosstalk to increase our knowledge of basic biological processes and stimulate therapeutic discovery. To promote continued discovery and translation in this exciting field while nurturing the next generation of talent, we seek support for the 2026 Gordon Research Conference (GRC) and Gordon Research Seminar (GRS) on Signal Transduction by Engineered Extracellular Matrices (STEEM). The STEEM GRC/GRS is widely viewed as the premier venue for sharing and discussing cutting-edge developments in ECM science and engineering. Over the past quarter-century, STEEM has played a leadership role in bringing together biologists, engineers, materials and physical scientists, and related disciplinary experts into a common forum. STEEM has played a key role in incubating interdisciplinary topics such as mechanobiology, biofabrication, engineered regeneration, and organoid technologies. In the 2026 meeting, we will build on these advances and explore several questions that will define the next decade of work in the field under the theme Matrix Matters and Designing Tissues Through Biological and Computational Insight. The GRC aims to: (1) Create a forum in which information and ideas are freely exchanged between researchers of varied but complementary backgrounds to enhance the potential of regenerative medicine, scaffold and cell-based therapies to improve human health; (2) Support early career investigators by exposing them to new and exciting ideas and opportunities in an environment that encourages collegial interactions; and (3) Bring together scientists across all experience levels, from trainees to senior scientists, across adjacent fields of expertise, and from a range of professional settings including academic labs to national labs, to small and large biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, to foster meaningful knowledge exchange and collaborations. The GRS aims to: (1) Provide early career investigators, especially graduate students and postdoctoral trainees, the opportunity to present their research in a forum organized by and for them; (2) Encourage lasting collegial interactions and initiation of collaborations between young investigators from adjacent fields; and (3) Provide a unique opportunity for these up and coming scientists in the field to receive career guidance from selected faculty mentors invited to the GRS.