The relatively new field of Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) is experiencing fantastic growth in the field of drug discovery. Since promises of combinatorial chemistry and screens based on reporter systems for receptor libraries have failed, big pharma has taken a step back and is no longer investing in R&D as heavily.

Although PPI has been around for a while as a field, it is an exciting and dynamic category of drug targets. The key concepts of PPI are to understand how proteins interact, to understand why inhibiting them is beneficial (anti-proliferative, anti-inflammatory), and how to identify molecules that block the interactions as treatment strategies.

These concepts and much more will be covered at the inaugural Protein-Protein Interaction Conference. Below are the topics and panels for this year's event.

Sessions of the conference include:
I. Theory & Computation
Innovative Computational Approaches & Technologies
Theory, Docking & Encounter Complexes
II. Design & Evolution
Novel Scaffolds and Inhibitors of PPI
PPI Evolution & Design
III. Biophysical Studies of PPIs
Non-Specific Interactions and Protein Crowding
IV. Protein-Protein Interactions as Drug Targets
Preclinical & Basic Research Applications
Novel Advances is SMIPPIs Research
V. Protein Interactions in the Membrane
Membrane Proteins & Large Complexes
VI. Networks of Protein-Protein Interactions
New Methods for PPI Screening
VII. Modulation of PPIs
Technologies & New Approaches
There will also be several interactive Panel Discussions on:
I. Industry & Academia Collaborations
II. Community Data Sharing - Standardization & Challenges
The conference will run parallel with 3 other information-packed conference as part of the Protein Discovery Summit:
Antibody and Protein Therapeutics
Protein Expression & Formulation
2nd Protein Kinases and Drug Design