Multiple vital cellular processes are regulated by specific interactions between proteins and examples of pathways mediated by protein-protein interactions (PPIs) include gene expression, proliferation, intracellular communication and apoptosis. Numerous diseases occur because pathways involving particular PPIs malfunction. The challenge is to understand the process by which one protein recognises another and binds to modulate its function. The rewards for a better understanding of particular PPIs include the potential to develop new molecular therapeutics and to develop probes to investigate systems biology. To date, only a few PPIs have been the subject of a drug discovery initiative.

Owing to the many opportunities presented by modulation of PPIs, this field has gained increasing scientific interest over the past decade and has seen many innovations from both academic and industrial research groups. This meeting aims to address recent advances in the characterisation and identification of new PPI inhibitors. Topics will include in silico assessment of PPI druggability, assay screening technologies for PPIs, structural biology approaches and fragment based drug design.