Many diseases are frequently associated with excessive, reduced or inappropriate cell death. The 2018 Gordon Research Conference on Cell Death will foster unencumbered scientific exchange, focusing on mechanisms that specify cell death in normal development and in various human pathologies. The Conference will accelerate discovery in these areas and will also advance new opportunities for therapeutic intervention in the many diseases that are caused by de-regulated cell death, such as cancer, auto-immune diseases, neurodegeneration and other age-associated disorders. The GRC, together with its first associated Gordon Research Seminar (GRS), will gather established experts who are leaders in the Cell Death field as well as junior scientists, Post-docs and Graduate students to share exciting discoveries and exchange ideas. Some poster presenters will be selected for oral presentations. The intimate format and collegial atmosphere of this Conference is designed to enable brainstorming and promote collaboration.