Conference: 2027 Developmental Biology Gordon Research Conference and Seminar

The joint 2027 Gordon Research Conference (GRC) and trainee-led Gordon Research Seminar (GRS) in Developmental Biology will bring together leading scientists from around the world to explore how living organisms grow, develop, repair, and regenerate cell types and tissues. For over 40 years the biannual GRC in Developmental Biology has been the leading conference in the field, organized by elected members of the research community, and with support of the professional GRC staff. To be held January 16–22, 2027, this longstanding meeting provides a unique environment for sharing the latest discoveries, fostering collaborations, and training the next generation of scientific leaders. Support from the NSF will enable participation by U.S.-based graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and early-career investigators who might otherwise be unable to attend. The GRC/GRS in Developmental Biology uniquely emphasizes discussion of emerging, unpublished research in a collaborative setting that encourages new ideas and long-term partnerships. The trainee-led GRS offers early-career researchers a dedicated forum to present their work, receive feedback, develop professional networks, and engage directly with established leaders in the field. Together, the GRS and GRC strengthen the developmental biology community by promoting broad participation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and sustained mentoring across career stages. Advances presented at the 2027 meeting will deepen our understanding of the fundamental principles that shape living organisms, while informing new approaches in regenerative medicine, biotechnology, and the treatment of human disease. By supporting scientific exchange and workforce development, the conference will enhance U.S. leadership in biomedical research and help prepare the next generation of investigators to address major biomedical and societal challenges. The 2027 GRS/GRC in Developmental Biology, themed "Organizing Principles of Growth, Form, and Regeneration Driving Transformative Applications," will convene researchers across developmental biology, regenerative biology, quantitative biology, biophysics, bioengineering, and computational biology to identify unifying principles governing growth, morphogenesis, and regeneration. Scientific sessions will span discoveries from established and emerging model systems, quantitative and physical approaches to developmental mechanisms, and innovative technologies (including advanced -omics, imaging, computation, mathematical modeling, and Artificial Intelligence) that are transforming studies of development, disease, and bioengineering. The meeting's emphasis on unpublished research, extended discussion, and trainee participation will accelerate interdisciplinary collaboration, foster new scientific frameworks, and support the professional development of early-career investigators while advancing fundamental biological knowledge with broad biomedical applications. This project advances NSF’s priorities in Biotechnology and Artificial Intelligence. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.