Wednesday, April 30, 2025
4/30/2025
Dynamic DNA Structures in Biology - This proposal requests partial support for the FASEB Summer Research Conference on Dynamic DNA Structures in Biology, which will be held July 21-26, 2024, in Melbourne, Florida. DNA forms a variety of non-canonical structures that are important for the proper regulation of essential molecular processes such as replication, recombination, and transcription. However, these structures can also promote mutation of repetitive regions and other DNA sequences, resulting in more than 30 inherited disorders. Recent advances in the field have led to new insight into how environmental factors and endogenous cellular processes promote DNA structure changes, and the involvement of dynamic DNA structures in human disease. The long-term goal of this conference is to understand the mechanisms by which DNA structures form, are resolved, and create genomic instability, with emphasis on their relationship to diseases and the development of potential therapies. Our aims are to explore recent research relevant to DNA structural transitions, to highlight new discoveries and technologies in the field, to promote the career development of trainees and young investigators, and to establish a conference culture that will lead to new collaborations. To this end, we will bring together ~100 participants for five focused and highly interactive days of science. The program will include an opening keynote talk, ten scientific sessions, and informal poster sessions. Emphasis will be placed on new technologies, including computational and single molecule biophysical analyses, that can analyze the effects of cellular and environmental factors on DNA structure formation and resolution. In response to feedback from the previous conference, we will have new sessions this year on novel technologies for the analysis of dynamic DNA and the roles of structured DNA in transposable elements, viruses, and parasites. Nearly one-third of the talks will be chosen from submitted abstracts, with preference given to junior investigators, trainees, and new conference attendees. Other new features are the purposeful inclusion of several industry experts as invited speakers and the use of discussion leaders to synthesize the state of the field at the beginning of each session. These changes will support the uniqueness of the Conference in bringing together scientists from diverse fields with a common focus on dynamic DNA transitions and provide a supportive and interdisciplinary environment in which new investigators and trainees can interact with field leaders to share their findings and develop new collaborations.
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