PROJECT SUMMARY: The skeleton is a dynamic, mineralized organ composed of many tissues with a variety of vital functions. Over the past few years, powerful new approaches have revealed unexpected complexities regarding the sources and differentiation of cells that create and maintain the skeleton but have also opened exciting avenues of research. These areas of investigation may lead to novel treatments for devastating conditions such as osteoporosis, osteopetrosis, bone cancer, and genetic disorders of the skeleton. The goal of the 2024 Bones & Teeth Gordon Research Conference (B&T GRC) is to bring together investigators and trainees focused on a variety of areas in skeletal research to discuss and evaluate the latest findings. A broad range of areas will be highlighted, including identification of stem and progenitor cells that participate in mineralized tissue development, maintenance, and disease. We will also discuss recent advances in rare diseases that affect the skeleton, how bones and teeth respond to mechanical loads, and how cells in these tissues communicate under physiological and pathological conditions. Our program will include a diverse set of speakers from all career stages. As in the past, this conference will prioritize participation of trainees and promote their interaction with established leaders in the field with the goal of building productive and lasting collaborations. Based on the successful Gordon Research Seminar (GRS) that preceded the B&T GRCs in previous years, the GRC organization has approved a GRS associated with the 2024 B&T GRC. The 2024 B&T GRS, organized by Carolyn Chlebek and Tim Herpelinck, will be called "Revolutionizing Skeletal Biology: New Horizons and Technological Advances". The meeting will highlight emerging technologies that have significantly advanced skeletal biology research. GRS will also feature a mentorship program that provides guidance to early-stage scientists on career development. This year, the mentorship component will be called “A Guide to Impactful Research”. Selected mentors will form a panel focused on research impact ranging from academic excellence, translational potential and valorization to scientific outreach. The organizers will select talks from submitted abstracts, and all attendees are encouraged to present posters and stay for the subsequent GRC. Based on previous experiences, young scientists are excited by GRS participation and remain highly engaged at the GRC.