Vascular Biology 2024 - Annual Meeting of the North American Vascular Biology Organization

Vascular Biology 2024 Annual Meeting of the North American Vascular Biology Organization Organizers: Alejandro Adam and Gabrielle Fredman (Albany Medical Center), Miranda Good* (Tufts University School of Medicine), Stefania Nicoli (Yale School of Medicine), Sara Nunes de Vasconcelos (University of Toronto), Beth Roman (University of Pittsburgh), Joseph Rutkowski (Texas A&M University),

Arndt Siekmann (University of Pennsylvania), Amber Stratman (Washington University in St. Louis), and Ying Zheng (University of Washington) October 20-24, 2024 Asilomar Conference Grounds, Pacific Grove, California Principal Investigator: Ying Zheng Project Summary/Abstract The vascular biology field is undergoing a transformation as new technological developments and discoveries

are revealing the extent and mechanisms of vascular diversity. Vascular biologists have a growing appreciation for how vessel structure and function can vary in different organs, developmental stages, sexes, and disease contexts and how this variation can impact therapeutic strategies for tackling a wide range of pathologies. Two

important factors that contribute to vascular diversity are (1) the genetic patterning of developing vessels, and (2) the surrounding environment in which vessels grow and adapt. Vascular Biology 2024 (VB2024) will provide a forum for in-depth exploration of these factors by covering the themes of (1) development and

genetics, (2) matrix biology and bioengineering, (3) signaling and (4) inflammation. The combination of these four themes fosters exciting opportunities for vascular biologists with diverse expertise to collaborate and make discoveries. In addition, VB2024 will host the Microcirculatory Society (MCS) as its guest. The MCS brings

classical expertise in microcirculatory physiology and function, and benefits the molecular, genetic, and bioengineering approaches of NAVBO meeting participants, and vice versa. Overall, VB2024 aims to bring together scientists focused on developmental, genetic, matrix, bioengineering, signaling, inflammation and

microcirculatory aspects of the vasculature so that their cross-fertilization can progress the field's understanding of vascular development, diversity, and therapeutic potential. VB2024 will be an international meeting that draws researchers from academia, industry, and government and incorporates both trainees and established scientists. The meeting will be held at the Asilomar Conference

Grounds, from October 20-24, 2024. The roster of organizers and invited speakers provides a diverse and inclusive face to the meeting, with women, junior faculty, and individuals from underrepresented groups featured. In addition, a large number of speakers will be selected from abstract submissions to give trainees

and junior faculty additional opportunities to present their research and to promote diverse voices. The meeting will include 14 concurrent sessions across the five main topics and two cross-over themes on malformations and mechanotransduction. Keynote, NAVBO and MCS award lectures and the sessions on Metabolism,

Vascular Malformations, and Microvascular Changes During Pregnancy are general sessions that will unify all meeting participants in one room. Additional opportunities for formal and informal interactions will occur at poster sessions, group meals, nano-talks, and a conference-wide reception on opening night. Altogether,

VB2024 will serve as a nexus for scientists of diverse career stages, backgrounds, and perspectives to come together for four days of intensive discussion and interaction that will foster new ideas and collaborations to advance the field of vascular biology and will highlight potential areas of therapeutic opportunities to promote

the NHLBI mission.