Cell Communication Across Time Scales

Cells, the fundamental units of life, constantly exchange information with their neighbors and the extracellular environment to guide decisions. These communications are essential to how organisms are built, sustained, and ultimately evolve. Communication occurs through diverse mechanisms—from molecular signaling and gap junctions to symbiotic relationships—spanning milliseconds to evolutionary time scales.

This conference will bring together leading experts in molecular, cell, developmental, evolutionary, and computational biology to explore how cell communication shapes cell behavior, drives tissue morphogenesis and development, contributes to emergent properties and biological diversity, adapts with age, and supports regeneration. These across-scale discussions among participants will bridge experimental, theoretical, and computational perspectives. We aim to foster new collaborations and conceptual frameworks that connect fast intracellular dynamics to long-term ecological and evolutionary processes – as well as to stimulate methodological innovation and build community.

Janelia will cover lodging and meals for all participants, and travel support is available to those in need (please indicate need in that portion of the application). Participants are expected to stay for the duration of the meeting.

The meeting will begin at 6pm ET on the first day and end by 1pm ET on the last.

Applications are now closed.
 

Invited Participants

View the list of invited participants.

Please note: Because Janelia conferences are intentionally small and selective, we may not be able to accommodate all applicants. We strive for a broad representation across labs and therefore may limit participation to one person per group. Preference is given to applicants who are active researchers in the field and intend to present their work as a poster or selected talk.