Gordon Research Conferences Research Articles

Functional informality: crafting social interaction toward scientific productivity at the Gordon Research Conferences, 1950-1980.

In the early and mid-twentieth century, scientific conferences were a popular tool to establish communication between scientists. Organisational efforts, research and funds were spent defining what makes a productive and successful scientific gathering. A unique example of this was the monitoring and evaluation system of the Gordon Research Conferences (GRCs), which conceptualized informal communication in small, specialized meetings as the best method of advancing cutting-edge research. Studying the detailed monitoring reports of the sessions and the evaluation forms filled by the participants, this paper explores how a concrete format of scientific knowledge production and identity formation was created and reproduced. The normative assessment of the participants' interactions is examined in the contexts of (a) their professional affiliations, (b) the conference presentations and discussions and (c) activities related to play. The study of the GRCs exemplifies how scientists actively conceptualised characteristics like academic affiliation, manners, leisure practices and social categories such as gender as ways to understand, describe and measure how knowledge is best produced and transmitted, turning the conferences into a fertile ground for meta-scientific reflections.

Resonance Raman spectra of blue copper proteins: Variable temperature spectra of Thermus thermophilus HB27 laccase

The resonance Raman (rR) spectra of the oxidized type 1 copper active site (CuT1) in Thermus thermophilus HB27 laccase (Tth-lac) has been determined in the 20 to 80 °C temperature range using 633-nm excitation. The positions and relative intensities of rR peaks are virtually independent of temperature, indicating that CuT1 ligation is robust over the investigated range. The intensity-weighted average of Tth-lac Cu-SCys vibrations (<ν(Cu-SCys)>) = 423 cm−1) is higher than those of most cupredoxins but is comparable to those of other multicopper oxidases (MCOs). <ν(Cu-SCys)> values for Tth-lac and several CuT1 centers in cupredoxins and MCOs do not correlate well with Cu-SCys bond lengths but do exhibit systematic trends with redox thermodynamic properties. PrologueF. Ann Walker was a great scholar and dear friend. While at Columbia in the early 1960s, I (HBG) followed her graduate work at Brown on the effects of axial ligands on vanadyl ion EPR spectra. Dick Carlin, her thesis adviser, invited me to serve as external member of her thesis committee. I joined, made my way to Providence, met her just before the exam, and greatly admired (enjoyed!) her thoughtful responses to questions from physical chemists about metal-oxo electronic structures. Our friendship grew stronger over the years, enhanced by lively discussions of heme protein chemistry in San Francisco, Pasadena, Tucson, and at Gordon Research Conferences. Ann was a superstar in biological inorganic chemistry. She will be sorely missed but not forgotten.

Mobilised, Isolated and Hybrid Forms of Scientific Activity

The paper discusses different versions of the definition of mobilised, isolated and hybrid scientific activity. The paper traces the evolution of mobilization projects during the Soviet epoch. The case of Gordon Research Conferences as an instrument of intensification of scientific exchanges in the isolated format is considered. Examples of contemporary successful and unsuccessful mobilization projects are presented. The success of a project depends on a correct estimation of necessary resources, on the degree of concentration of research potential, as well as on the task formulation. Re-engineering, integration and adaptation of existing solutions are preferred as feasible tasks for mobilization projects.

Percy E. Pierce

Percy E. Pierce, 89, died Oct. 24, 2021, in State College, Pennsylvania. “Percy was an assistant professor of chemistry at Case until 1962 when he joined the Glidden Company in Cleveland, Ohio, as a research chemist. In 1969, he joined PPG Industries at their Springdale, Pennsylvania, coatings research center. He was the author of numerous publications and several monographs on coatings technology. He participated in the Gordon Research Conferences on organic coatings and the Federation of Societies for Coatings Technology. He retired from PPG in 1991. He is an emeritus member of the American Chemical Society, Federation of Societies for Coatings Technology, and Sigma Xi.”—Caroline Pierce, daughter Most recent title: Research chemist, PPG Industries Education: BS, chemistry, Case Institute of Technology, 1953; PhD, physical chemistry, Yale University, 1958 Survivors: Daughters, Barbara Mysona, Elizabeth, and Caroline; son, William; five grandchildren To recognize your late loved one or colleague, submit obituary information

An online gathering about the latest on molecular membrane biology

An online gathering about the latest on molecular membrane biology

In Memoriam: Duane L. Garner, PhD.

In Memoriam: Duane L. Garner, PhD.

SUN-LB26 Radioligand Theranostics of Endocrine-Related Cancers; A New, Revolutionary Approach

The successful clinical development of octreotide targeting somatostatin receptors (SSRs) revolutionized treatment of Neuro Endocrine Tumors (NETs)and pituitary adenomas. Recently, clinical applications of peptide bioconjugates including octreotide have taken a giant leap forward into a new diagnostic and therapeutic arena of additional endocrine-related cancers including prostate, breast, and small cell lung cancers. Molecularly targeted radionuclide therapy (RT) opens new horizons for otherwise resistant or widely dispersed malignancies and has far-reaching implications as a personalized therapeutic approach. Cancer-type specific, radiolabeled diagnostic imaging agents have been developed to select patients who then receive precise radioligand therapy targeting the identified cancer cells. This RT using alpha or beta radiation is cytotoxic to targeted cancer cells, while nearby healthy cells are unharmed—minimizing side effects and improving patient quality of life. Thus, theranostics represent a groundbreaking approach to bring radionuclide endocrine cancer therapy to patients via a multidisciplinary team consisting of endocrinologists, surgeons, oncologists and nuclear medicine physicians. In recognition of this exploding new field, the US FDA approved 68Ga-DOTATOC and -DOTATATE for use in PET/CT and 177Lu-DOTATATE for the treatment of SSR-positive NETs. Clinical trials with new theranostic compounds are ongoing for prostate cancer (PSMA), breast cancer (bombesin receptor), and small cell lung cancer (cytokine receptor CXCR4). Exciting future developments will undoubtedly involve development of radionuclide agents targeting additional cell surface receptors, enzymatic pathways, and clonal variations as well as combinations of alpha- and beta-emitters. Health care facilities worldwideare in the process of adding RT to their armamentarium for cancer patients; this requires a multidisciplinary team approach to optimize access to and delivery of care. To advance the science and enable translation of theranostics worldwide, the Gordon Research Conferences (GRC) organization [www.grc.org] has selected the authors to organize a 5-day inaugural meeting on Radionuclide Theranostics for the Management of Cancer in June 2020 [https://www.grc.org/radionuclide-theranostics-for-the-management-of-cancer-conference/2020/]that brings together cancer biologists, radiation physicists, receptor pharmacologists, nuclear medicine physicians, and industry representatives to 1) Identify new molecular targets and targeting vectors for specific malignancies; 2) Explore development of novel radionuclides and molecularly targeted radiopharmaceuticals; and 3) Optimize therapeutic benefits based on an understanding of radionuclide risks to normal tissues. This presentation will review the key topics discussed during this GRC meeting2496 characters (without spaces): limit 2500.

John A. Simms

John A. Simms, 86, died on July 12, 2017, in Glen Mills, Pennsylvania. “Beginning in 1955, John conducted applied chemical research for DuPont at the Marshall Laboratory and Experimental Station, culminating with his role as senior research fellow. He invented technology leading to many significant advances in the fields of polymers, coatings, and adhesives. John presented at Gordon Research Conferences and international chemical meetings, published in peer-reviewed journals, and held 35 patents. At retirement, John received the Lavoisier Medal in recognition of his contributions. He was a church trustee, taught adult Sunday school, and was active in small-group ministry.”—Justine Hudock, granddaughter Most recent title: Senior research fellow, DuPont Education: BS, chemistry, North Georgia College, 1951; PhD, organic chemistry, Purdue University, 1956 Survivors: Wife, Jean; daughter, Barbara Hudock; son, J. Stephen; four grandchildren To recognize your late loved one or colleague, submit obituary informa...

Temporary colocation and collaborative discovery: Who confers at conferences

AbstractResearch SummaryThe flow of knowledge is closely linked to proximity. While extensive works show that long‐term geographic proximity affects work behavior, little is known about the effect of short‐term colocation, such as conferences. Using participant data at Gordon Research Conferences, we estimate difference‐in‐differences and instrumental variable models, which show that attendees who have no prior within‐conference collaborations are more likely to collaborate with other attendees, and that the researchers who have worked previously with other attendees are more likely to continue their collaborations. We also find that researchers who are junior, are located closer to the conference venue, and have established prior ties to the conference draw more collaborative benefits from temporary colocation across organizations. Thus, going to a conference alters the creation of collaborations.Managerial SummaryManagers face important decisions with long‐term strategic ramifications regarding where to locate offices, plants, and R&amp;D centers, as well as how to lay out workspaces inside the firm to enhance knowledge spillover and collaboration. Permanent proximity, however, may be difficult and sometimes impossible to attain. One potential way of overcoming the distance disadvantage in knowledge spillover and tie formation is through temporary colocation events that bring together individuals from distant locations in an environment of temporary proximity. We find that individuals who attend temporary colocation events across organizational boundaries are more likely to collaborate with one another subsequently. Hence, managers of firms should pledge substantial funds for employees to participate in these events so as to impact the subsequent direction of R&amp;D activities.

Empowering Women: Moving from Awareness to Action at the Immunology of Fungal Infections Gordon Research Conference.

Despite the high prevalence of women in graduate degree programs and equal or more women earning PhDs, MDs, and MD/PhDs, and despite efforts at individual and institutional levels to promote women in STEM fields, there remains a disparity in pay and academic advancement of women. Likewise, there is a paucity of women in top scientific and academic leadership positions. The causes of this gender disparity are complex and multi-factorial and to date no “magic bullet” approach has been successful in changing the landscape for women in academic and scientific fields. In this report we detail our experiences with a novel mechanism for promoting discussion and raising awareness of the challenges of gender disparity in the sciences. The Gordon Research Conferences (GRC) launched the Power Hour at its meetings in 2016: a dedicated, scheduled session held during the scientific meeting to facilitate discussion of challenges specific to women in science. Here we share our experience with hosting the second Power Hour at the 2019 GRC Immunology of Fungal Infections (IFI) meeting held in Galveston, TX. We will discuss the overall structure, key discussion points, and feedback from participants with the aim of supporting future efforts to empower women and underrepresented minority groups in science.

C&amp;EN brings GRC’s Power Hour to ACS

At the upcoming American Chemical Society national meeting in Orlando, Florida, C&EN will host its first Power Hour for Diversity in partnership with the Gordon Research Conferences (GRC). The Powe...

Computational Chemistry: A Rising Tide of Women.

The authors were inspired to explore the topic of gender diversity in computational chemistry on the basis of similar recent publications in the related fields of medicinal chemistry ( Huryn , D. M. ; et al. ACS Med. Chem. Lett. 2017 , 8 , 900 ) and computational biology ( Bonham , K. S. ; Stefan , M. I. PLoS Comput. Biol. 2017 , 13 , e1005134 ). To do so, we examined historical demographics in two different professional settings, i.e., attendance/participation at the Gordon Research Conferences on Computer-Aided Drug Design and Computational Chemistry and membership in the Computers in Chemistry Division of the American Chemical Society. We conclude that female representation in computational chemistry has risen steadily over the last 40 years and likely stands at around 25%, which appears to slightly exceed that of the neighboring fields of computer science and medicinal chemistry. In accordance with the old slogan that "a rising tide lifts all boats", here a rising tide of women scientists is having an impact on the field of computational chemistry. Tactics to ensure that this number continues to improve are highlighted.

Reactions

OPINION Reactions ShareShare onFacebookTwitterWechatLinked InRedditEmail C&EN, 2017, 95 (42), pp 2–3October 23, 2017Cite this:C&EN 95, 42, 2-3(Credit: C&EN)Figure1of1We appreciated your coverage of sexual harassment in chemistry in the Sept. 18 issue (page 28), including mention of an important conversation between women at a Gordon Research Conference. GRC has long had a zero-tolerance policy for inappropriate behavior. However, to fully address the challenges women face in science, we believed discussion within our conference communities was also required to create lasting change. In 2016 the GRC Board of Trustees approved the Power Hour, a voluntary session designed for all GRCs to discuss the impact of gender-specific issues, including discrimination and harassment.The Power Hour format is derived from a prototypical session held by the Physical Organic Chemistry GRC, and it has proved incredibly popular, with 108 Power Hours taking place in 2017. Each Power Hour organizer is a woman selected from the conference community by the conference chair to serve as host. Organizers tailor the program format to fit the needs of their individual communities. GRC provides suggested talking points and additional resources to help the organizer prepare for the session. Average attendance at a Power Hour is 60 people, and 40% of attendees are male.GRC believes that diversity and inclusion help create thriving scientific communities that drive innovation. We are pleased to offer the Power Hour as a forum for opening conversations in GRC communities that have the potential to change culture and address gender inequity in meaningful ways.Fran Platt, chair, Gordon Research Conferences Board of Trustees Nancy Ryan Gray, president and chief executive officer, GordonResearch Conferences ▸ From the web Readers took to the web to discuss sexual harassment in chemistry.cenm.ag/harassmentI am very sad and angry that there is such a persistent destructive element in academia. While I have not witnessed examples of sexual harassment such as those you itemize, there are certainly strong discriminatory practices that are pervasive and impede the academic careers of women in science and medicine. Sexual harassment is perhaps the most egregious. It is upsetting that my wife and daughters still have to encounter such threats to themselves and their careers. Thank you for continuing to focus attention on the issue. Men in academia need to take a leadership role in rectifying this situation—for the benefit of our professions and our families.John Healey, MD I truly appreciate you compiling this article and am thankful for the women who shared their personal accounts. That could not have been easy. This is an incredibly pervasive problem and putting a spotlight on it, discussing it, and raising awareness of it is the first step toward changing a culture that allows and fosters this kind of sexual hostility toward women in STEM and other disciplines.Noah I’m so glad someone wrote a fantastic article. I have mentioned my own story to ACS and I am glad so many students and former students have spoken up. I am not sure how effective reporting to the universities will be because as this article mentions, they still will hire guilty faculty as long as they bring in funding. The administration just doesn’t care. I was victim blamed by the dean of the college of medicine and she is a woman but still had no sympathy whatsoever. I really think we need an external, neutral party like ACS to be involved. I also think that this is a portion of the general abuse of power issues that tenured professors and administrators have over students, postdocs, and even junior faculty.Dr. Jennifer J Archer And yet, many real relationships have arisen out of interactions between professors and their grad students or postdocs. Are you suggesting that these marriages are based on harassment? One size does not fit all, as this article suggests. You have to give two consenting adults a bit of credit for making their own decisions about who to have a relationship with. This article paints all women as victims, instead of the strong and capable women chemists that most of us are. In fact, in many of the examples given, the women did actually reject the advances they weren’t interested in. That’s the behavior we should be training people for, as well as making sure that the person making the advance knows to lay off if their advance is not well received. It’s certainly a better strategy than filing a complaint with a bureaucracy. Save that one for repeated, unwanted advances where you’ve told the person you’re not interested and he or she persists—which, by the way, is what the law defines as sexual harassment.postdoc

Gordon Research Conferences

This issue of Science includes the program of the 2018 Gordon Research Conferences. A PDF of the program as it appears in this issue is available here; for more information on the meeting (including registration forms and information on accommodations), please visit www.grc.org .

Understanding phospholipid function: Why are there so many lipids?

In the 1970s, phospholipids were still considered mere building blocks of the membrane lipid bilayer, but the subsequent realization that phospholipids could also serve as second messengers brought new interest to the field. My own passion for the unique amphipathic properties of lipids led me to seek other, non-signaling functions for phospholipids, particularly in their interactions with membrane proteins. This seemed to be the last frontier in protein chemistry and enzymology to be conquered. I was fortunate to find my way to Eugene Kennedy's laboratory, where both membrane proteins and phospholipids were the foci of study, thus providing a jumping-off point for advancing our fundamental understanding of lipid synthesis, membrane protein biosynthesis, phospholipid and membrane protein trafficking, and the cellular roles of phospholipids. After purifying and characterizing enzymes of phospholipid biosynthesis in Escherichia coli and cloning of several of the genes encoding these enzymes in E. coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, I was in a position to alter phospholipid composition in a systematic manner during the cell cycle in these microorganisms. My group was able to establish, contrary to common assumption (derived from the fact that membrane proteins retain activity in detergent extracts) that phospholipid environment is a strong determining factor in the function of membrane proteins. We showed that molecular genetic alterations in membrane lipid composition result in many phenotypes, and uncovered direct lipid-protein interactions that govern dynamic structural and functional properties of membrane proteins. Here I present my personal "reflections" on how our understanding of phospholipid functions has evolved.

Gordon Research Conferences

This issue of Science includes the program of the 2017 Gordon Research Conferences. A PDF of the program as it appears in this issue is available here; for more information on the meeting (including registration forms and information on accommodations), please visit www.grc.org .

Editorial introductions

Current Opinion in Hematology was launched in 1994. It is part of a successful series of review journals whose unique format is designed to provide a systematic and critical assessment of the literature as presented in the many primary journals. The field of hematology is divided into nine sections that are reviewed once a year. Each section is assigned a Section Editor, a leading authority in the area, who identifies the most important topics at that time. Here we are pleased to introduce the Section Editors for this issue. SECTION EDITORS Mohandas NarlaMohandas NarlaDr Mohandas Narla is Vice President for Research and Director of the Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute of New York Blood Center, USA. He received his doctoral degree from Washington University in St. Louis, USA, in Chemical Engineering. After completing post-doctoral training in hematology research with Dr Marcel Bessis, Institute of Cellular Pathology in Paris, France, he joined the faculty of the Department of Laboratory Medicine at University of California, USA, where he spent 13 years. In 1989, he moved to Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, University of California to head the Hematopoiesis group. During his 12 year tenure at the Berkeley Laboratory he also served as Interim Director of the Human Genome Project for three years. In 2001, he moved to the New York Blood Center, USA. Dr Mohandas’ scientific interests have long focused on red cell physiology and pathology. In particular, his efforts have contributed to improved understanding of the molecular and structural basis for red cell membrane disorders, developing detailed mechanistic insights into pathophysiology of thalassemias and sickle cell anemia, characterizing structural and functional changes induced in red cells by the malarial parasite, plasmodium falciparum. More recently his research efforts are focused on molecular understanding of normal and disordered erythropoiesis including Diamond-Blackfan Anemia and Myelodysplasia. Dr Mohandas served as a member of the National Institute of Health Hematology study section for 13 years and has been a member of numerous committees including the Executive committee of the American Society of Hematology. He served as Associate Editor of Blood from 2003–2012. He is currently Editor-in-Chief of Blood Cells, Molecules and Diseases and is on the Editorial Board of Journal of Biological Chemistry and Biochemistry. Edward F. PlowEdward F. PlowDr Plow received his PhD in Biochemistry in 1970. He joined The Scripps Research Institute, USA, as a postdoctoral fellow and remained at Scripps for 22 years, ultimately becoming a Full Member and Head of the Committee on Vascular Biology. In 1992, he relocated to the Cleveland Clinic, USA, to become Head of Research of the Joseph J. Jacobs Center for Thrombosis and Vascular Biology. He continues to hold this position and is Chair of the Department of Molecular Cardiology in the Lerner Research Institute of the Cleveland Clinic since 1994. Throughout his career, Dr Plow has performed research related to thrombosis, hemostasis and vascular biology. A primary area of his research interests has been platelets and the mechanisms of their adhesive and aggregation responses. This research has led him to investigate integrin structure and function on blood and vascular cells. A primary emphasis of his current research is the molecules and mechanisms governing integrin activation, where he has been instrumental in showing that the kindlin family is critical for integrin function in model cells, mice and humans. At the same time, Dr Plow has had a longstanding interest in the plasminogen system, with a particular emphasis on plasminogen and plasminogen receptors. The role of these molecules in cell adhesion, migration and inflammation has been emphasized. Recent studies by Dr Plow's group have touched into the areas of matrix biology and the roles of micro-RNAs in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular and neoplastic diseases. Dr Plow was an Established Investigator of the American Heart Association and the recipient of the Distinguished Career award of the ISTH and of the Platelet Colloquium. He has chaired two Gordon Research Conferences and organized the ATVB Meeting of the AHA. He has chaired the Council of the ISTH and the ATVB Council of the AHA. He has received an honorary degree from the Medical University of Lodz, Poland; a ZiQiang Professorship of Shanghai University, China, and was elected a Fellow of the American Association of the Advancement of Science. Dr Plow is the 2014 recipient of the International Society of Fibrinolysis and Proteolysis Prize.

11th International Workshop on Biosensors and Bioanalytical Microtechniques for Environmental, Food and Clinical Analysis in Regensburg, Germany.

From 26 September to 30 September 2015, the 11th International Workshop on Biosensors and Bioanalytical Microtechniques for Environmental, Food and Clinical Analysis (BBMEC) took place in Regensburg, Germany (Fig. 1). Since the first meeting in 1994 in Paris (France) organized by MarieClaire Hennion, BBMEC has evolved from amainly Europeanbased biosensor conference to a global conference. It gathers about 150 researchers from over 20 countries. The conference was organized by the Institute of Analytical Chemistry, Chemoand Biosensors (IACCB) headed by Antje J. Baeumner together with the International Association of Environmental Analytical Chemistry (IAEAC). For the first time a pre-conference that specifically targeted graduate students and postdocs was organized by graduate students from the IACCB following a concept used with successful Gordon Research Conferences.

The career I dreamed of?

All I knew—given the limited range of professional lives I could observe from my hometown of textile mills and surrounding tobacco fields—was that I wanted to teach. When I took organic chemistry, from one of the dullest teachers I ever had, I knew I wanted to teach that and that I could do it better. When I took biochemistry in graduate school, I knew I wanted to teach that, too. In applying for the very few academic jobs on offer in the early '70s, I sold myself as a biochemist and got a small-college teaching job as one. I gradually became one. I taught happily for 37 years, including leaves for research and writing, in schools where teaching was emphasized and research was, they said, encouraged and supported—sometimes with no more than pats on the back. I watched some great students emerge from academic backwaters into the open seas of original research, while others went off into careers using science in all sorts of unexpected ways. Some wandered off. ![Figure][1] “I could only have dreamed of evading textiles and tobacco with a life of books and chalk.” ILLUSTRATION: ROBERT NEUBECKER My wife and I moved about to meet the demands of family life. I earned tenure three times. For me, it was a game. Rules of tenure vary from place to place, but I could figure out the rules, didn't mind the work, and ended up feeling that I could wake up in the morning and get tenure on the way to the shower. I complied, sometimes cynically, with the demands of deans and chairs that I produce research or scholarship. Their prodding helped me produce numerous products I feel good about, including a book that's still in print and still helpful, I am told, after more than 20 years; a website from which many people take maiden flights into protein modeling; and a few dozen odds and ends of publications from my grasshopper mind. In the end, that work made me a better, more enthusiastic, more convincing and longer lasting teacher. So, of course, the deans and chairs were right. These products are satisfying, but they are dim background to all the students. Everywhere I taught, I was the only biochemist on campus. There are many disadvantages to such isolation, but the great advantage was teaching a full-year course all by myself, instead of taking part in committee-built courses like the one I took in graduate school. Seeing biochemistry whole trumped talking to other biochemists every day. But thank goodness for nearby schools and Gordon Research Conferences. Many important elements of my career, I could not have foreseen or dreamed of. I wish the same for you. I mean little things like the desktop computer and the Internet, which were not a gleam in any eye when I set out. Nor could I have imagined operating a molecular blackboard (Nicolas Guex's Swiss-PdbViewer) to lead vivid tours of structural elements and active sites, and then sending students off to explore thousands of biomolecular models on their own laptops. In my search for ways to help students learn, new developments meant new ideas. I don't know how to advise those of you who see so much, read so much, and shudder about what awaits you. I was very naive about the life upon which I embarked. If, somehow, I had known the effort it would take, I might have been daunted. Inexperience, interest, and engagement protected me. I simply did what seemed to be the next thing needed and followed my nose toward what interested me most at the time, shaping the work a bit, if needed, to fit external demands. I found my way mostly by watching and listening, taking my own pulse, and using common sense—leaning, as it were, toward a very general goal and a great love, keeping it fuzzy and doing what I could with what came. Specific expectations might have gotten in my way. In the details, my career was nothing like what I dreamed. I could only have dreamed of evading textiles and tobacco with a life of books and chalk. (I do miss chalk.) Nevertheless, I had the career I dreamed of. [1]: pending:yes

Designing Scientific Meetings

This issue of Science contains announcements for more than 100 different Gordon Research Conferences, on topics that range from atomic physics to developmental biology. The brainchild of Neil Gordon of Johns Hopkins University, these week-long meetings are designed to promote intimate, informal discussions of frontier science. Often confined to fewer than 125 attendees, they have traditionally been held in remote places with minimal distractions. Beginning in the early 1960s, I attended the summer Nucleic Acids Gordon Conference in rural New Hampshire, sharing austere dorm facilities in a private boys' school with randomly assigned roommates. As a beginning scientist, I found the question period after each talk especially fascinating, providing valuable insights into the personalities and ways of thinking of many senior scientists whom I had not encountered previously. Back then, there were no cellphones and no Internet, and all of the speakers seemed to stay for the entire week. During the long, session-free afternoons, graduate students mingled freely with professors. Many lifelong friendships were begun, and—as Gordon intended—new scientific collaborations began. Leap forward to today, and every scientist can gain immediate access to a vast store of scientific thought and to millions of other scientists via the Internet. Why, nevertheless, do in-person scientific meetings remain so valuable for a life in science?