2022 Photosensory Receptors and Signal Transduction GRC/GRS

Summary At the 2022 Photosensory Receptors and Signal Transduction (PRST) Gordon Research Conference (GRC) to be held in Ventura CA, scientists from all over the world gather to present and discuss the full palette of photosensory systems that Nature has provided, aiming to understand their mechanisms, signaling pathways

and functional effects – from the level of atoms and molecules to that of the physiology of organisms and the ecosystems that they constitute. Photosensory receptors provide unique opportunities to understand the essential principles of signal transduction and protein function because they can be activated by light, rendering

them amenable to state-of-the-art physical, chemical and cell-biological approaches. In this way, the central question of how light-induced molecular changes produce large-scale biological signals can be addressed in unprecedented detail. Research of photosensory signaling has enormous practical application. In the case of

vertebrate vision, loss of the finely tuned regulation of the phototransduction pathway has been linked to various types of retinal degeneration that cause conditions such as night blindness, tunnel vision, and even the total loss of sight. Studies of phototransduction in the eye also lead to the treatment of retinal diseases, circadian

dysfunction and mood disorders. The modular architecture of photosensory systems in combination with their genetic encodability provides the foundation for the field of optogenetics, wherein photoreceptors and their interaction pathways are engineered to noninvasively control cellular processes with light. Research on

photosensory receptors is inherently interdisciplinary, requiring basic scientific advances on several fronts. The themes of the GRC and the associated Gordon Research Seminar (GRS) have been chosen to represent the key interdisciplinary problems in the field and to stimulate the exchange of ideas between a diverse group of

researchers. Emerging directions such as the impact of new technologies for understanding receptor photophysics and mechanism, the role macromolecular complexes in transducing complex photonic responses, such as those of vertebrate vision, and the engineering of photosensors for optogenetics will be explored in

depth. Invited speakers will include both established and early-stage investigators. In addition, poster presenters will compete for short hot-topic talks. The GRS provides a supportive environment for junior scientists to present their work and receive advise by senior mentors. The PRST community has long supported junior scientists, and

the GRS will continue to help us nurture the development of early-stage investigators and promote diversity within our community. The field of photosensory transduction has been undergoing a revitalization due to an influx of talented new researchers who apply advanced tools of biophysics, computation, single molecule or cell

imaging and high-throughput screening methods to provide answers previously unattainable. The well-integrated PRST GRC/GRS will scientists to the most important questions confronting our field and will encourage postdocs and students to apply their hard-won training to the most exciting new areas of photobiology.