Peptides are molecules, ubiquitous in Nature, that play critical roles in biomedicine, agriculture, material and food science, etc. As a mature field of investigation, many basic properties and applications involving peptides have already been explored in detail. In order to continue advancing peptide science, barriers will have to be overcome with respect to predicting, synthesizing and testing, the structure and function of peptides. Future advances in peptide science will require researchers to overcome the physical barriers of the gut, brain and cellular membranes and also the technological, social, diversity and conceptual barriers that that currently limit scientists’ ability to realize the full potential of peptide science in the -omics era. To do this, the GRC will bring together scientists from academia and industry, and across all aspects of peptide chemistry, biology, and technology to critically evaluate the current state of the art, and future prospects of areas such as peptide drugs, vaccines, immunology, diagnostics, nutraceutics, cosmetics. The conference will also explore the frontiers of synthetic methodologies for the design, production, analysis, delivery of complex peptides and peptide-like polymers.The 2016 program will feature invited talks from leaders in the field from around the world; as well as talks from early career scientists; poster sessions; and, of course in the GRC tradition, plenty of time for discussion, scientific exchanges, and for continuing to building the peptide-science community across barriers. The GRC has several programs to encourage and support attendance by underrepresented groups, which we endorse and encourage application.

Additionally, a Gordon Research Seminar will be held in conjunction with the above GRC. Gordon Research Seminars (GRS) are a series of unique 2-day meetings held in conjunction with an associated GRC that enable graduate students, post-docs, and other scientists with comparable levels of experience to come together in a highly-stimulating and non-intimidating environment to discuss their current research and build informal networks with their peers. The seminars are organized by young investigators with the support of leading scientists from the associated GRC. The Peptides, Chemistry & Biology of GRS is scheduled to take place from February 20-21, 2016 at Ventura Beach Marriott, Ventura, CA and will be chaired by Neha Garg & Astrid Knuhtsen.