Matrix Biologists in Action The biennial American Society for Matrix Biology (ASMB) conference was held from October 12-15, 2014 at the Marriott KeyCenter in Cleveland, OH. The conference had 320 registrants from 14 countries and most states of the USA. A large number of students and post-doctoral fellows attended, and 174 posters were presented in two sessions.
The conference program, as per society tradition, encompassed all aspects of matrix biology and cell-matrix interactions, inclusive of all relevant molecular families, organs, morphogenetic and disease processes and translational advances. The conference commenced with guest symposia organized with the International Society for Hyaluronan Sciences (ISHAS), and the Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International Society (TERMIS), as well as sessions organized by special interest groups on ECM turnover during embryogenesis, matrix cross-linking, the physics and chemistry of fibronectin, and the biology of small leucine-rich proteoglycans. A welcome reception preceded the keynote address by the eminent biochemist Jack Dixon, who spoke about emerging pathways for phosphorylation of secreted proteins and their relevance to human disorders, highlighting an area of increasing relevance to matrix biology. Starting on this high note, the next three days delivered exciting platform presentations on diverse topics that stimulated discussion of the latest advances in the matrix field. These continued into the poster sessions, and, no doubt late into the evening at the many accessible watering holes and fine restaurants in and around downtown Cleveland. The conference banquet at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame provided a break from science and a foray into the history, culture and persona of the rock and roll world, accompanied by a live rock band, comprised appropriately enough, of PhD students from the Lerner Research Institute.
At the conference, the ASMB Senior and Junior Investigator Awards were presented to Vincent Hascall and Sean Gill respectively. The ASMB’s Iozzo award went to Adam Engler, and Leena Bruckner-Tuderman received the International Society for Matrix Biology (ISMB) Distinguished Investigator award. ASMB President Jeff Davidson presented a number of poster prizes and travel awards to young investigators. Mentoring breakfasts, including one specifically for women scientists, provided opportunities for professional development of young scientists. The conference was sponsored by the National Institutes of Health, the Cleveland Clinic, Shriners Hospitals, Gilead, ISMB, several private foundations and companies, and on-site exhibitors.
ASMB looks forward to welcoming matrix and cell-matrix biologists to its 2016 conference. The venue and dates will be decided upon in the spring of 2015, and available on www.asmb.net.
The conference program, as per society tradition, encompassed all aspects of matrix biology and cell-matrix interactions, inclusive of all relevant molecular families, organs, morphogenetic and disease processes and translational advances. The conference commenced with guest symposia organized with the International Society for Hyaluronan Sciences (ISHAS), and the Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International Society (TERMIS), as well as sessions organized by special interest groups on ECM turnover during embryogenesis, matrix cross-linking, the physics and chemistry of fibronectin, and the biology of small leucine-rich proteoglycans. A welcome reception preceded the keynote address by the eminent biochemist Jack Dixon, who spoke about emerging pathways for phosphorylation of secreted proteins and their relevance to human disorders, highlighting an area of increasing relevance to matrix biology. Starting on this high note, the next three days delivered exciting platform presentations on diverse topics that stimulated discussion of the latest advances in the matrix field. These continued into the poster sessions, and, no doubt late into the evening at the many accessible watering holes and fine restaurants in and around downtown Cleveland. The conference banquet at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame provided a break from science and a foray into the history, culture and persona of the rock and roll world, accompanied by a live rock band, comprised appropriately enough, of PhD students from the Lerner Research Institute.
At the conference, the ASMB Senior and Junior Investigator Awards were presented to Vincent Hascall and Sean Gill respectively. The ASMB’s Iozzo award went to Adam Engler, and Leena Bruckner-Tuderman received the International Society for Matrix Biology (ISMB) Distinguished Investigator award. ASMB President Jeff Davidson presented a number of poster prizes and travel awards to young investigators. Mentoring breakfasts, including one specifically for women scientists, provided opportunities for professional development of young scientists. The conference was sponsored by the National Institutes of Health, the Cleveland Clinic, Shriners Hospitals, Gilead, ISMB, several private foundations and companies, and on-site exhibitors.
ASMB looks forward to welcoming matrix and cell-matrix biologists to its 2016 conference. The venue and dates will be decided upon in the spring of 2015, and available on www.asmb.net.
