'Barriers of the CNS'
Gordon Research Conference
Dynamic Regulation of CNS Barrier Function and Communication in Health and Disease
June 14 - 19, 2026
GRC Education Requirements: Undergraduates or those who have not obtained a bachelor's degree in science/engineering (or acceptable equivalent) are not eligible to apply to attend Gordon Research Conferences or Seminars. Apply now
| Chair | Vice Chair | |
Diona W. Williams |
Joseph A. Nicolazzo |
Colby-Sawyer College
541 Main Street
New London, New Hampshire, United States
Application Information
Applications for this meeting must be submitted by May 17, 2026. Please apply early, as some meetings become oversubscribed (full) before this deadline. If the meeting is oversubscribed, it will be stated here. Note: Applications for oversubscribed meetings will only be considered by the conference chair if more seats become available due to cancellations.
Conference Description
The Barriers of the CNS GRC is a premier, international scientific conference focused on advancing the frontiers of science through the presentation of cutting-edge and unpublished research, prioritizing time for discussion after each talk and fostering informal interactions among scientists of all career stages. The conference program includes an array of speakers and discussion leaders from institutions and organizations worldwide, concentrating on the latest developments in the field. The conference is five days long and held in a remote location to increase the sense of camaraderie and create scientific communities, with lasting collaborations and friendships. In addition to premier talks, the conference has designated time for poster sessions from individuals of all career stages, and afternoon free time and communal meals allow for informal networking opportunities with leaders in the field.
Topics to be discussed will center on identifying mechanisms of regulating CNS barrier functions, including the blood-brain barrier, blood-spinal cord barrier, blood-retina barrier, neurovascular unit, and blood-CSF barrier, in health. This will be coupled with translational efforts to identify novel mechanisms facilitating drug delivery to the brain to treat neurologic diseases.
Related Meeting
This GRC will be held in conjunction with the "Barriers of the CNS" Gordon Research Seminar (GRS). Those interested in attending both meetings must submit an application for the GRS in addition to an application for the GRC. Refer to the associated GRS program page for more information.
Conference Program
The conference will consist of nine sessions, on the topics listed below. The conference chair is currently developing their preliminary program, which will include the names of the invited speakers and discussion leaders for each of these sessions. The preliminary program will be available by September 17, 2025. Please check back for updates.
More information is on: https://www.grc.org/barriers-of-the-cns-conference/2026/