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Bipolar disorder is a commonly occurring severe psychiatric disorder that causes great personal and societal costs. Research into bipolar disorder has been difficult, since unlike many other medical conditions, it has been difficult to understand the biochemical changes associated with the disorder, and it has not been possible to simulate the disorder for research purposes. Furthermore, the variety of cellular effects of bipolar disorder drugs has complicated our understanding of the cellular pathways involved in the disorder.

In order to better understand the disorder, the scientific community has employed a wide variety of systems to analyze the molecular and cell-biological effects of bipolar disorder drugs, using models from complex mammal systems to simple eukaryotes like amoeba and yeast. Biochemical and cell signalling studies using these widely varying models provide distinct advantages, however cross-over studies between different research models are rare. Current research continues to suggest new bipolar disorder drug targets and suggest proteins and signalling pathways that may be causative for the disorder.

This conference will bring together a range of scientists from world leaders to research students whose work is helping to understand the molecular and cellular biology of bipolar disorder using different models systems and approaches. The conference will help foster a more interactive and multi-conceptual approach to research, and will highlight our recent advances in understanding the biochemistry and cell signalling processes occurring in bipolar disorder.