The 2024 conference on "Epithelial mesenchymal interactions in lung development and fibrosis"

PROJECT SUMMARY The 2024 Fusion conference on “Epithelial mesenchymal interactions in lung development and fibrosis.”, will be held October 04-07, 2024, in St. Julians, Malta. The 2024 Lung Fusion comes at a critical time, because post- acute COVID-19 syndrome including chronic consequence of severe lung injuries will be coming into focus, heightening our need to understand and combat the dysfunctional repair and remodeling that follows severe injury. According to statistics from the World Health Organization, the global burden of lung disease continues to rise, with >4 million deaths annually worldwide attributed to chronic respiratory diseases, including pulmonary fibrosis and ARDS. While basic scientific research is making substantial strides forward in understanding molecular, cellular and tissue level mechanisms driving respiratory diseases, translation of these findings toward early detection and effective repair and restoration of lung function in chronic respiratory diseases remains a major barrier. Meeting this challenge requires the integration of knowledge from experts spanning lung development, molecular and cell biology, genomics and epigenomics, physiology, bioengineering, matrix biology as well as physicians and translational experts immersed in the diagnosis and treatment of human disease. Lung Fusion 2024 will bring diverse experts together to disseminate and debate the latest findings in the fields of lung development, injury, and repair, and to formulate new ideas, collaborations and approaches that will translate biologic discoveries toward meaningful advances in respiratory medicine. A major emphasis of the Lung Fusion conference is to strengthen the pipeline of scientists and clinicians focused on lung development, injury, and repair. Funds from this R13 will be specifically targeted to promote participation in the conference by women, under-represented minorities and people with disabilities, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and early career investigators. The unique attributes of the Fusion (open scientific exchange, secluded location to maximize engagement, tradition to share unpublished data, abundant time for discussion) provide an opportunity for formal and informal interactions and collaborations that are likely to have significant and sustained impact on the field. The 2024 “Epithelial mesenchymal interactions in lung development and fibrosis” conference will thus promote accelerated progress in understanding and treating chronic lung diseases and help to ensure the vitality and growth of a diverse pipeline of clinicians and scientists capable of addressing the growing burden of lung diseases.