Asbmr 2026 pre-meeting symposium: biological control of bone quality: mechanisms and therapies - the american society for bone and mineral research (asbmr) is the largest professional, scientific…

Asbmr 2026 pre-meeting symposium: biological control of bone quality: mechanisms and therapies - the american society for bone and mineral research (asbmr) is the largest professional, scientific and medical society established to bring together clinical and laboratory-based investigators who are involved in the study of bone, mineral and musculoskeletal disorders. Since 2002, the asbmr has held one-day symposia preceding the annual meeting that were funded by an R13 grant, tackled a specific and timely scientific topic, convening experts and early career investigators alike. To date, these meetings have been very successful with high attendance, engagement and positive post-meeting reviews. Based on the success of the pre-meeting program in cultivating new scientific and translational directions for the musculoskeletal field, the present application seeks an R13 grant to organize a one-day symposium in areas where discovery has accelerated in recent years and where the opportunities for translation are within reach. The 2026 symposium will focus on "biological control of bone quality: mechanisms and therapies" and address a most pressing and timely area of musculoskeletal research that is undergoing rapid advances in scientific knowledge that have potential to impact diagnosis and treatment of disorders with major clinical morbidity, disability and mortality. The goal of the symposium is to fuel and stimulate progress toward more effective and novel treatments for musculoskeletal diseases, aiming to improve the lives of patients. The overall objective of this R13 aligns with NIH priorities by addressing critical gaps in understanding and treating chronic disease, including bone fragility. IT promotes fundamental discovery of the cellular, molecular, and material mechanisms controlling bone quality, accelerates translation of these findings into diagnostics and therapies, and fosters multidisciplinary collaboration among basic, translational, and clinical investigators. In addition, by engaging early-career scientists through presentations and mentorship, the program strengthens the biomedical research workforce and supports the development of future leaders in musculoskeletal research, consistent with NIH goals to advance scientific knowledge and improve public health. The symposium will be held just prior to the asbmr 2026 annual meeting and thus, attendees, including trainees, will be encouraged to join the meeting, providing more opportunities to establish collaborations, learn from other musculoskeletal research areas and impact their research and goals. The program was developed by an organizing committee, and speakers have confirmed their participation. There will be poster sessions and preference will be given to young investigators to present their abstract orally to further facilitate and encourage direct interactions between young and senior investigators. The symposium will focus and highlight recent progress on cellular, molecular and material mechanisms controlling bone quality and how they can be harnessed clinically.