2nd Balancing Genome Fidelity & Plasticity Conference

#BGFP25

Date

07 Jul - 10 Jul 2025

Location

Lisbon, Portugal

  • Agnel Sfeir

    Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

  • Karlene Cimprich

    Stanford University

  • Dipanjan Chowdhury

    Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Early Bird - Expired  •  Talk Submission - Expired  •  Poster Submission - Expired  •  Registration & Payment Deadline - Expired

Synopsis

While alterations to DNA underlie genome evolution and antibody diversification, genome instability drives many disorders, including cancer, developmental abnormalities, and neurodegeneration. DNA damage and other genome-threatening replication blocks are generally overcome by a number of DNA repair pathways. The choice of DNA repair pathways, specifically the reliance on error-prone vs. error-free is both intriguing and confounding. Moreover, the deregulation of repair pathway choice can trigger pathological processes. In this conference, we will discuss the delicate equilibrium of genome maintenance pathways, addressing how natural processes such as replication and transcription can threaten genome stability, how the genome can be altered in cancer, signatures of genome instability in human disease, and how cells control the inherent plasticity of their replication and repair machinery. We aim to bring together scientists from diverse fields who are interested in understanding the many processes impacting DNA metabolism and the molecular and biophysical principles that maintain the balance between genome stability and plasticity.

Key Sessions

  • Genome Signatures and Evolution
  • Tissue Specific Repair and Mutagenesis
  • Transcription-Replication Driven Mutation
  • Transposable Elements
  • DNA Sensing and Inflammation
  • CRISPR/Cas9 and DNA Repair

Confirmed Invited Speakers

Andrea Ablaser (EPFL)
SENSING DNA AS A DANGER SIGNAL THROUGH THE CGAS-STING PATHWAY
Karen Adelman (Harvard University)
DISRUPTION OF THE INTEGRATOR COMPLEX TRIGGERS THE INTEGRATED STRESS RESPONSE THROUGH FORMATION OF DOUBLE-STRANDED RNA
Kathleen Burns (Dana-Farber Cancer Institute)
DEFINING THE LINE-1 RETROTRANSPOSON MUTATIONAL SIGNATURE
Keith Caldecott (University of Sussex)
PARP ACTIVITY IN DNA SINGLE-STRAND BREAK REPAIR, DNA REPLICATION, AND HUMAN DISEASE
Ross Chapman (Medical Research Council Molecular Haematology Unit)
DSB REPAIR PATHWAY CHOICE CONTROL IN GENOME MAINTENANCE AND DIVERSIFICATION
Gheorghe Chistol (Stanford University)
SINGLE-MOLECULE IMAGING REVEALS HOW DNA HELICASES ARE ACTIVATED DURING REPLICATION INITIATION
Alberto Ciccia (Columbia University)
DISSECTING THE GENETIC INTERCTION NETWORK OF THE DNA DAMAGE RESPONSE
Karlene Cimprich (Stanford University)
MECHANISMS FOR RNA-MEDIATED GENOME INSTABILITY
Jacob Corn (ETH Zürich)
Cecilia Cotta-Ramusino (Tessera Therapeutics)
WRITING DNA WITH RNA: GENOME ENGINEERING BY TARGET-PRIMED REVERSE TRANSCRIPTION
Dipanjan Chowdhury (Dana-Farber Cancer Institute)
MRE11 PROXIMAL POLYADENYLATION SITE-MEDIATED LOOPING IMPACTS TRANSCRIPTION AND GENOMIC STABILITY
Titia de Lange (Rockefeller University)
WHAT DOES HUMAN KU DO?
Daniel Durocher (Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute)
THE CIP2A PATHWAY OF MITOTIC DNA DAMAGE TOLERANCE
Marcin Imielinski (NYU Langone Health)
DIMENSIONS OF STRUCTURAL CHROMOSOMAL INSTABILITY ACROSS THOUSANDS OF CANCER GENOME GRAPHS
Gaëlle Legube (CBI Toulouse)
CHROMOSOME AND CHROMATIN DYNAMICS DURING TRANSCRIPTION-COUPLED DSB REPAIR
John Maciejowski (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center)
MECHANISMS OF CANCER GENOME EVOLUTION
Houra Merrikh (Vanderbilt University)
REPLICATION-TRANSCRIPTION CONFLICTS AND THEIR CONSEQUENCES
Serena Nik-Zainal (University of Cambridge)
FOR SHORE: SITES OF VULNERABILITY TO STRUCTURAL VARIATION AND ONGOING EVOLUTION
KJ Patel (University of Oxford)
REVERSIBLE YET PERVASIVE DNA ADDUCTION BY AN ENGOGENOUS ALDEHYDE
Elizabeth Pollina (Washington University in St Louis)
DYNAMIC GENOME CONTROL MECHANISMS IN NERVOUS SYSTEM PLASTICITY
Agnel Sfeir (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center)
MMEJ-MEDIATED REPAIR OF BREAKS AT TA REPEATS MAINTAINS ECDNA AND CANCER CELL FITNESS.
Nitika Taneja (Erasmus Medical Center)
MECHANISMS OF CHROMATIN REORGANIZATION UPON REPLICATION STRESS
Alessandro Vindigni (Washington University)
NUCLEASES IN DNA REPLICATION FORK PLASTICITY
Joanna Wysocka (Stanford University)
Joe Yeeles (MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biomedicine)
SETTING THE SPEED OF THE REPLISOME

Target Audience

The meeting, which addresses fundamental questions that pertain to genome instability, is expected to appeal to basic science researchers, including students and postdocs. In addition, the various topics covered will be of interest to translational and clinical investigators in academic institutions and industry.

Educational Need

Genomic integrity is the foundation of human health with a plethora of diseases emerging from any dysfunction in the cellular machinery that maintains our genome. In this conference we focus on emerging areas in the field of genome biology that have gained significant prominence in recent years, specifically, large scale studies on genome evolution and mutational signatures combined with the interplay of DNA metabolism, RNA metabolism and DNA repair in the context of sub-nuclear compartments. We anticipate that attendees at all levels, students, post-doctoral fellows, and faculty will be exposed to radical new concepts and cutting-edge technology that will define the genome stability field in the upcoming years. The conference is being designed to facilitate interaction of  trainees with senior scientists, and promote scientific collaborations. 

Confirmed Speakers

Chairs
Agnel Sfeir

Agnel Sfeir

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Karlene Cimprich

Karlene Cimprich

Stanford University

Dipanjan Chowdhury

Dipanjan Chowdhury

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Plenary Speakers
Titia de Lange

Titia de Lange

Rockefeller University

Invited Speakers
Andrea Ablasser

Andrea Ablasser

EPFL

Karen Adelman

Karen Adelman

Harvard University

Kathleen Burns

Kathleen Burns

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Keith Caldecott

Keith Caldecott

University of Sussex

Ross Chapman

Ross Chapman

Medical Research Council Molecular Haematology Unit

Gheorghe Chistol

Gheorghe Chistol

Stanford University

Alberto Ciccia

Alberto Ciccia

Columbia University

Jacob Corn

Jacob Corn

ETH Zürich

Cecilia Cotta-Ramusino

Cecilia Cotta-Ramusino

Tessera Therapeutics

Daniel Durocher

Daniel Durocher

Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute

Marcin Imielinski

Marcin Imielinski

NYU Langone Health

Gaëlle Legube

Gaëlle Legube

CBI Toulouse

John Maciejowski

John Maciejowski

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Houra Merrikh

Houra Merrikh

Vanderbilt University

Serena Nik-Zainal

Serena Nik-Zainal

University of Cambridge

KJ Patel

KJ Patel

University of Oxford

Elizabeth Pollina

Elizabeth Pollina

Washington University in St. Louis

Nitika Taneja

Nitika Taneja

Erasmus Medical Center

Alessandro Vindigni

Alessandro Vindigni

Washington University

Joanna Wysocka

Joanna Wysocka

Stanford University

Joe Yeeles

Joe Yeeles

MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology

Programme

Page /

Grants

We are pleased to announce that we have a minimum of 10 registration support grants (starting at €750) ready to award to those submitting abstracts (T&C's apply).

To apply, please email Alice . Your application should include:

  • Your name, organisation, career level
  • An abstract for short talk or poster consideration

 

Deadline for submission is 01 May 2025. All applications will be reviewed after this date and successful candidates will be informed shortly after.

Supported by

Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
Bronze Sponsors
Media Partners

Interested in sponsoring this conference?

Contact us

Venue & Location

Dolce CampoReal Lisboa

Located in Torres Vedras, just a 30-minute drive from Lisbon, Dolce CampoReal Lisboa offers unique tranquillity, as a result of its idyllic environment. The hotel offers stunning views over the golf course, vineyards and the extraordinary landscape of Socorro and Archeira Mountains.

The hotel has three restaurants to provide a variety of gastronomic choices, and two bars including one beside the outdoor pool.

Hotel Facilities

  • Complimentary Wi-Fi in guest rooms and throughout hotel and conference areas
  • Indoor heated swimming pool
  • Outdoor swimming pool with Jacuzzi
  • Spa
  • Gym
  • Golf course
  • 2 Tennis courts

General Information

Venue Rating

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Currency

Euro (EUR)

Address

R. do Campo (Campo Real) 2565-770 Portugal

Nearest Airport

Lisbon Portela Airport

Location

The Dolce CampoReal Lisboa is nestled between the vineyards and the extraordinary landscape of the Socorro and Archeira Mountains.

Lisbon is only a short 30-minute drive away. The Portuguese capital is constantly recognised as one of the greatest cities in the world, a claim confirmed by the “Lonely Planet Guides", who named Lisbon one of the world’s top 10 cities. Lisbon in one of the world’s oldest cities, predating the likes of London, Rome and Paris by hundreds of years. Hillsides covered in tumbledown houses and a mix of baroque and neoclassical buildings, including cathedrals and palaces, make up Lisbon’s skyline. The city is a combination of old and new, with beautiful modern buildings constructed near renovated historical landmarks and ruins.

Gold Sponsors

Silver Sponsors

Bronze Sponsors

Media Partners

If you're interested in sponsoring this conference please contact us.

Conference Manager

Alice Tebbit

Need some help? Chat to the Fusion team today

As a family run business, our dedication runs deep. We’re committed to each other and, even more so, to every attendee’s experience, delivering a level of care and passion that’s truly unmatched.

Call us

+44 (0) 1638 555057

Looking for forthcoming conferences?