About 50-200 billion of our cells die daily by apoptosis or programmed cell death in the human body. The mechanisms of apoptosis have been extensively studied, but those of the elimination of apoptotic cells are much less understood. Apoptotic cells are rapidly engulfed and digested by their neighbors or by professional phagocytes in a process known as phagocytosis, clearance or efferocytosis. During development this process plays a key role in tissue morphogenesis and renewal. It also allows for the maintenance of tissue homeostasis in adults and promotes the resolution of inflammation. Failure to clear apoptotic cells can result in developmental defects, chronic inflammatory disorders, autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases. For example, it has been associated with Lupus, a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease, and with retinal degeneration. Dying cells can be cleared before completion of their programmed death, and failure in this process may result in cancer. A thorough understanding of efferocytosis is essential to design new therapies to prevent or treat chronic inflammation, autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases, and cancer. Some of the molecular mechanisms of apoptotic cell clearance are shared with those of pathogen clearance, and thus studying efferocytosis will also lead to new therapies to fight infections. This is critical since pathogens are becoming resistant to current treatments. At this Gordon Research Conference on Apoptotic Cell Recognition & Clearance and its associated Gordon Research Seminar, we will discuss the latest advances made in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of apoptotic cell recognition and clearance in all model organisms, from worm, fly, fish and mouse, to mammalian (including human) cells in the context of both healthy and disease states. The conference will bring together investigators who are at the forefront of the field, and provide opportunities for post-docs and graduate students to present and discuss their work in poster format and exchange ideas with leaders in the field. Some poster presenters will be selected for short talks at the GRC. The accompanying GRS provides further opportunity for students and post-docs to orally present their work and network amongst themselves, as well as to prepare and encourage them to attend and participate at the GRC.