Light is one of the most important signals providing critical information to biological systems.
In addition to giving us visual input, light controls movement, growth, differentiation and development, circadian timing, and a host of gene-expression responses in diverse organisms from primitive unicellular microbes through higher plants and animals. The conference will focus on current research on photosensory receptors, covering their mechanisms of photoactivation and downstream elements of their signal transduction pathways. However in recent years there has not been a dedicated meeting bringing together this group. Given the rapid advances currently being made, a Photosensory Receptors conference bringing together scientists studying photoreceptors and their immediately downstream signal transduction components is particularly appropriate. It will provide a very much-needed opportunity to exchange information and ideas and to become aware of some of the diverse tools available.