In 2017 the Gordon Research Conference on Epithelial Differentiation and Keratinization will return to Italy's beautiful Tuscany with close by old and charming villages such as Luca and the very comfortable Renaissance Tuscany Il Ciocco Resort and Spa. This will provide the perfect setting to stimulate discussions on the latest developments presented in this leading epithelial biology meeting. 

The goal of the conference entitled, "Epithelial interactions in development, homeostasis, disease and therapy", is to bring together word class leading experts, young and upcoming PIs, students and postdocs in an open atmosphere that promotes the exchange and dissemination of new research concepts and opportunities at the forefront of epithelial biology. The aims of the 2017 Conference are to define the most important scientific problems in our field, further the development of young investigators, promote interactions and discussions at posters and throughout the meeting and introduce and incorporate new concepts and advances from other fields. To accomplish these goals, the 2017 program for 2017 will focus on novel and emerging concepts in epithelial function and in epithelial-based therapeutics emphasizing. The meeting will start with a keynote session on dynamic interactions in tissue homeostasis and disease. Subsequent sessions will focus on presentations from leading scientists and young investigators at the forefront of investigation in: homeostatic growth of epithelia, the development and evolution of skin and its appendages, mechanisms of epithelial carcinogenesis, advances in epithelial homeostasis and regeneration, current ideas on cellular cross talk within epithelial tissues, novel discoveries in the regulation of cell and tissue architecture, new insights into stress responses and epithelial aging, and novel epithelial based therapies for cancer, tissue regeneration, and autoimmune disorders. 

Attending will be an outstanding cadre of interactive and dynamic speakers including basic researchers and clinicians, young and established scientists, and scientists from academia and industry. At least half of this year's speakers will differ from the last meeting and approximately 30% of the talks will be selected from submitted abstracts, ensuring that the latest conceptual and technical developments will be presented in the program. Importantly, the Conference continues to feature an associated Gordon Research Seminar starting the day prior to the meeting, providing an outstanding opportunity for young scientists to network and present their research, in addition to attending the main Conference.