The 2017 Gordon Conference on Molecular Mechanisms in Evolution will bring together leading experts in molecular, medical and evolutionary biology to present the latest findings and diverse perspectives on the molecular bases of evolutionary change. Understanding evolutionary processes lays the foundation for comprehending the history of life on earth and of the mechanisms that produce its unity and diversity. Therefore it is fundamental to all aspects of biology. But it is also pivotal for designing efficient strategies to deal with important human health issues like the evolution of virulence, the emergence of drug resistance and the progression of cancer. The scientific program of the conference will be divided in sessions covering a wide range of topics including: origins of life, evolution of mutation and recombination rates, stress-inducible genetic variation, non-genetic variation and inheritance, phenotypic noise, evolution of novelty, evolution of complexity, cancer, aging, experimental evolution and evolutionary contingency. The main objective of this GRC is to encourage and nurture a community of researchers, across traditional disciplinary boundaries, with a shared interest in the molecular bases of evolutionary change. This is of greatest importance: without such a community researchers may be unaware of the important recent discoveries and cutting-edge technological developments outside their respective scientific fields. This conference aims to create an engaging atmosphere for open and creative discussions in order to stimulate collaborations among scientists. We will also provide opportunities for junior scientists and graduate students to present their work in poster format, or in short invited talks, and exchange ideas with researchers who are at the forefront of their fields.