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- 8th Nucleic Acids Conference
Synopsis
DNA and RNA are built from just four nucleotide elements but rich in information content and functional diversity. DNA sequence encodes the cell's genetic blueprint and operating system, and must be copied with unprecedented fidelity once every cell cycle. The integrity of the genetic blueprint is vital to the cell and maintained by various mechanisms to fend off the constant onslaught of DNA damage. In addition to replication, DNA is repeatedly transcribed to RNA for protein synthesis (translation) and cellular regulation (non-coding RNA). Nevertheless, readout of DNA at single-nucleotide level by cellular machineries takes place in the context of the compacted DNA form (chromosomes), within which 2 m of human genomic DNA are compacted and stored in the cell nucleus.
In contrast to the relatively uniform DNA double helix, RNA assumes versatile structure and function. RNA is the worker bee of genetics to the DNA's queen. In addition to its roles as messenger (mRNA), interpreter and amino acid-carrier (tRNA), RNA is also the critical functional part of the ribosome and spliceosome machines and can catalyze peptide bond formation and phosphoryl-transfer reactions (and who knows what more?) as ribozymes. Furthermore, RNA can act as a molecular switch responding to small molecules (riboswitches) to control gene expression or mediating and executing DNA and RNA cleavage as in the CRISPR-Cas defense system. Failure of any of these DNA and RNA transactions can lead to disease. Meanwhile application of antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) and CRISPR-Cas technology have revolutionized gene therapy, and cell and organism manipulation.
Key Sessions
In the 8th Nucleic Acid Conference, the central theme will be to understand processes involving DNA and RNA at the molecular and chemical level, with a marked structural and mechanistic perspective. We plan to have an up-to-date discussion of the following:
• DNA replication in the context of chromatin and telomere
• DNA repair and recombination
• Transcription and splicing
• RNA structure and function
• Translation and post-translation modification
•. Gene editing by ASO and CRISPR-Cas9
• AI-assisted nucleic acid research
Confirmed Invited Speakers
Valérie Borde (Curie Institute)
SINGLE MOLECULE ANALYSES OF RECOMBINATION-ASSOCIATED DNA SYNTHESIS
Yiliang Ding (John Innes Centre)
RNA STRUCTURE, AN IMPORTANT REGULATOR IN LIVING CELLS
Sebastian Fica (Oxford University)
MAKING mRNAs: ATPase REMODELLING AND SPLICE SITE SELECTION IN THE HUMAN SPLICEOSOME
Yang Gao (Rice University)
BIOCHEMICAL PROFILING AND STRUCTURAL BASIS OF ADAR1-MEDIATED RNA EDITING
Eric Greene (Columbia University)
SINGLE MOLECULE STUDIES OF DNA RECOMBINATION
Alba Guarné (McGill University)
TARGET-SITE SELECTION MECHANISMS OF THE Tn7 TRANSPOSON
Nick Guydosh (NIDDK)
STALLED TRANSLATION ON TRANSCRIPTS CLEAVED BY RNase L INDUCES THE RIBOTOXIC STRESS RESPONSE
Taekjip Ha (Harvard University)
HOMOLOGY SEARCH IN 3D GENOME
Yuan He (Johns Hopkins University)
STRUCTURAL BASIS OF DNA DOUBLE-STRAND BREAK REPAIR BY NHEJ
Lin Huang (Sun Yat-Sen University)
FROM THEOPHYLLINE TO ADENINE OR preQ1: REPURPOSING A DNA APTAMER REVEALED BY CRYSTAL STRUCTURE ANALYSIS
Ailong Ke (Yale University)
LEVERAGING MECHANISTIC INSIGHTS FOR CRISPR TOOL DEVELOPMENT
Elizabeth Kellogg (St. Jude's Childrens Research Hospital)
UNDERSTANDING AND ENGINEERING TRANSPOSONS FOR GENOME-EDITING
Jeffrey Kieft (New York Structual Biology Center)
NEW METHODS, CHALLENGES, AND FRONTIERS IN RNA STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY
Ci Ji Lim (University of Wisconsin-Madison)
HUMAN REPLICATION PROTEIN A COMPLEX IS A TELOMERASE PROCESSIVITY FACTOR ESSENTIAL FOR TELOMERE MAINTENANCE
Giulia Palermo (University of California)
COMPUTATIONAL GENE EDITING
Lori Passmore (MRC)
MECHANISTIC INSIGHTS INTO THE POLY(A) TAIL MACHINERY
Titia Sixma (Netherlands Cancer Institute)
ROLES OF PCNA IN MMR AND DNA DAMAGE TOLERANCE
Song Tan (Penn State University)
HOW CHROMATIN PROTEINS AND ENZYMES RECOGNISE THE NUCLEOSOME
Keith Weninger (North Carolina State University)
MISMATCH REPAIR PROTEIN IMPACTS ON ATYPICAL TRINUCLEOTIDE REPEAT DNA CONFIGURATIONS
Steve West (Francis Crick Institute)
THE TWO RAD51 PARALOG COMPLEXES – CHANGING PARADIGMS
Eric Westhof (Université de Strasbourg)
EFFECTS OF RNA MODIFICATIONS ON RECOGNITION AND STABILITY IN RIBOSOMAL TRANSLATION
Cynthia Wolberger (Johns Hopkins Medical School)
HISTONE UBIQUITINATION IN TRANSCRIPTION REGULATION
Sarah Woodson (Johns Hopkins University)
STICK SLIP UNFOLDING AND AGGREGATION OF TRIPLET REPEAT RNA
Yuanliang Zhai (HKUST)
STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF EUKARYOTIC REPLISOME
Jinwei Zhang (NIH)
RECOGNITION ND MIMICRY OF THE tRNA FOLD
Xiaodong Zhang (Imperial College London/ Francis Crick Institute)
HOW A MOLECULAR MOTOR OPENS UP DOUBLE-STRANDED DNA FOR TRANSCRIPTION
Xiaolan Zhao (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center)
SMC-BASED REGULATION OF DNA REPAIR
Confirmed Speakers
Chairs
David Lilley
University of Dundee
Wei Yang
NIH
Invited Speakers
Valérie Borde
Curie Institute
Yiliang Ding
John Innes Centre
Sebastian Fica
Oxford University
Yang Gao
Rice University
Eric Greene
Columbia University
Alba Guarné
McGill University
Nick Guydosh
NIH
Taekjip Ha
Harvard University
Yuan He
Johns Hopkins University
Lin Huang
Sun Yat-Sen University
Ailong Ke
Yale University
Elizabeth Kellogg
St. Jude's Childrens Research Hospital
Jeffrey Kieft
New York Structual Biology Center
Ci Ji Lim
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Giulia Palermo
University of California
Lori Passmore
MRC
Titia Sixma
Netherlands Cancer Institute
Song Tan
Penn State
Keith Weninger
North Carolina State University
Steve West
Francis Crick Institute
Eric Westhof
Université de Strasbourg
Cynthia Wolberger
Johns Hopkins Medical School
Sarah Woodson
Johns Hopkins University
Yuanliang Zhai
HKUST
Jinwei Zhang
NIH
Xiaodong Zhang
Imperial College London/ Francis Crick Institute
Xiaolan Zhao
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Programme
Registration Prices
| Ticket Type | Early Bird | Full Price |
|---|---|---|
|
Single Choose this option if you will be attending the conference alone and wish to have your own private room. |
€2206 | €2302 |
|
Shared Choose this option if you wish to share with a colleague who is also attending the conference, or if you wish to be paired with another attendee of the same sex, or if you have an accompanying adult. |
€2009 | €2105 |
|
Student Choose this option if you are a student. Please note all students will be paired with another attendee of the same sex if a room sharer is not specified. If you wish to have your own room, please register under the 'Single' ticket option. |
€1038 | €1038 |
Additional Prices
| Addition Type | Adult | Child |
|---|---|---|
|
Additional Person This is the cost for an additional adult or child to join you in the same room, for the conference period. Additional guests are not permitted access to the conference. If you wish to extend your stay, please see our 'Extra Night' prices. |
€825 | €455 |
|
Extra Night Prices for extra nights apply per person, per night. |
€190 | €61 |
All registration fees include 3 nights accommodation and meals during the conference period. Exact inclusions are detailed below.
What's Included in our Registration Fees?
Our registration fees are inclusive of the following during the conference period only:
- Conference registration
- 3 nights’ fixed accommodation (04, 05, 06 July 2025) on a single or shared basis
- Buffet breakfast
- Buffet lunch with soft drinks, beer and wine
- Buffet dinner with soft drinks, beer and wine
- Gala Dinner with soft drinks, beer and wine
- Complimentary WIFI in both conference rooms and your guest room
What's Included in our Accompanying Adult Fees?
Our accompanying adult fees are inclusive of the following during the conference period only:
- 3 nights’ fixed accommodation (04, 05, 06 July 2025) on a shared basis with a conference participant
- Buffet breakfast
- Buffet lunch with soft drinks, beer and wine
- Buffet dinner with soft drinks, beer and wine
- Gala Dinner with soft drinks, beer and wine
- Complimentary WIFI in guest room
Important Note: Accompanying persons are not permitted access to the conference. Meals are only available during the times listed in the conference programme and accompanying guests must dine with the group.
What's Included in our Accompanying Child Fees?
Our accompanying child fees are inclusive of the following during the conference period only:
- 3 nights’ fixed accommodation (04, 05, 06 July 2025) on a shared basis with the parent/s
- Buffet breakfast
- Buffet lunch with soft drinks
- Buffet dinner with soft drinks
- Gala Dinner with soft drinks
- Complimentary WIFI in guest room
- A crib (0-3 years old) or roll out bed (4-17 years old)
Important Note: Accompanying child fees are applicable for children aged 12-17 years. Children aged 0-3 years stay free of charge and children aged 4-11 years will be charged a rate of €156.00, inclusive of the above package. If your child is aged 0-11 years, please contact us so we can adjust the invoices relating to your child/children. Please kindly ensure your child/children are supervised at all times during conference and related events. Childcare services may be available, please contact Felicity for further information.
What's Included in our Extra Night Fees?
- 1 night’s accommodation for 1 person
- Buffet breakfast
- Complimentary WIFI in your guest room
Important Note: Extra night child fees are applicable for children aged 12-17 years. Children aged 0-11 years stay free of charge, inclusive of the above package. If your child is aged 0-11 years, please contact us so we can adjust the invoices relating to your child/children.
Prices and hotel availability are subject to change without notice.
Grants
Unfortunately, all current ECR grants have been awarded. However, we hope to release additional grants later following fundraising efforts. If you are interested in future opportunities, feel free to sign up for updates about the conference to be kept informed should further grants be released. Or, you are welcome to send in an application in advance, to be considered in the first instance should additional grants be released.
Supported by
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.
Transportation
Dolce CampoReal Lisboa, Torres Vedras is approximately a 30-minute journey from Lisbon Portela Airport.
Taxis
Taxis are available outside the airport, but we would strongly recommend you pre-book your airport transfer with one of the many private transfer companies that are available. The Dolce CampoReal Lisboa is located outside of the city zone and a pre-booked transfer will be a cheaper option than a taxi taken from the airport taxi rank.
Uber also operate in and around Lisbon and there are other Portuguese taxi-hailing apps such as Bolt, MyTaxi, TaxisLisboa and Coop Taxis, all offering reasonable rates.
Pre-booked Airport Transfers
Should you wish to pre-book a taxi transfer from the airport, please find below details of a transportation provider who is aware of our groups. Please contact the supplier directly via email with any queries or booking requests and use ‘Fusion Conferences’ as a reference.
Prices
Up to 3 passengers - €75.00 EUR per transfer
4 - 7 passengers - €100.00 EUR per transfer
*please note, payment is required in advance to confirm your booking. Accepted payment methods include bank/wire transfer or credit card (via payment link).
Includes
- All taxes, fuel and tolls,
- Meet and greet inside the airport,
- Transportation in Audi or Mercedes,
- Courtesy water on board,
- One large or two small size bags per person.
Contact Information
Contact Name: Carlos Antunes
Contact Email: info@westshuttle.com
*please note all enquiries must be made with at least 48hrs notice. Thank you.
Transportation is the sole responsibility of the delegate. Please ensure you conduct your own research and double check your booking details ahead of your arrival. Fusion Conferences are unable to assist with or confirm transportation bookings due to insurance limitations. Thank you for your understanding.
Local Activities
There are various on-site activities available. These include:
- Indoor and 2 outdoor swimming pools
- Fitness centre, available 24h
- Tennis courts
- Donald Steel designed Golf Course – 18 holes Par 72
- Mandalay Wellness & Spa with 7 treatment rooms
- Kids Club – The hotel will provide details of daily activities for children
- Center “Clube Aventura” for outdoor activities such as Giant Balls, Aquaball, Stand Up Paddle, Archery, Slackline, Water Slide
**Please note, there may be a charge to participate in some of the above activities.
Should you have time to venture off-site, the Oeste Region and Torres Vedras have a distinctive cultural heritage, rich history, 20 km of coastal area, and a commitment to environmental awareness, accessibility and biodiversity. Below are a few suggestions:
- Monastery of Alcobaça, a UNESCO World Heritage site
- Historical route of the lines of Torres Vedras
- Day trip to Óbidos
- Royal Palace and Convent of Mafra
- Tapada Nacional de Mafra
- Mountain biking along the Santa Cruz to Torres Vedras Loop
- Birdwatching at the Tajus Estuary Nature Reserve
- Jeep tours in and around Torres Verdras
Group Activities
Wine Tour & Wine Tasting Experience – 06 July 2025
Just 20 minutes from the hotel lies the enchanting Adega Mãe. Framed in the extraordinary landscape of the West, presents unique wines influenced by the Atlantic climate and the clay-limestone soils.
Price:
The total price of this trip will be €75 per person.
Payment will need to be made in CASH when you collect your name badge at registration.
Tour Includes:
- Round-trip transportation
- Tour of property & wine cellar
- Tasting of up to 6 wines, accompanied by a charcuterie board
Once you confirm your participation, you will be financially committed. If you choose to cancel after signing up or fail to pay at registration, an invoice for the full amount will be charged to your Fusion account for payment.
Submitting an Abstract
There are several presentation opportunities available at this meeting, in both talk and poster form. To be considered for either option, please register for the conference, upload your abstract when prompted to do so, and select your preferred presentation method. Once submitted, you will be able to monitor the status of your abstract through your Fusion account. You will also receive an email to confirm the outcome of your abstract review.
If you are unable to register for the conference for any reason, but still wish to submit an abstract for consideration, please email the Conference Manager directly.
Please use the abstract template provided (see below) and ensure your abstract is no longer than one page in length.
Note: talk slots are limited for each conference, and we often receive more submissions than spaces available. If your talk submission is unsuccessful on this occasion, your abstract will automatically be considered for a poster presentation as an alternative.
Accepted for a Short Talk
If you are accepted for a Short Talk, we recommend you check our website regularly as the conference approaches for programme updates, these will be released under the ‘Programme’ tab in the navigation panel to the left.
On the day of your presentation please make yourself known to our AV technician who will be present in the conference room. We advise running through your presentation at least 30 minutes prior to your session commencing to ensure your slides and any videos or animations appear as expected. We prefer our speakers to run their presentation from the master PC or Mac to ensure a smooth and timely transition between presenters, however, if you prefer to use your own laptop, please notify AV prior to the session. A HDMI cable is usually available on the podium to accommodate this.
Our AV technician will run through microphone options and provide a combined slide advancer and laser pointer ahead of your talk.
We ask all speakers to adhere to their time slots and respect their fellow presenters. A visual traffic light aide will be available to warn presenters as their time decreases, and our Session Chairs will assist with keeping everyone to time.
Please make sure your presentation adheres to the following guidelines:
Aspect Ratio: On Screen Show (16:9)
File Type: PPT, PPTS or Keynote format.
Accepted for a Poster Presentation
We recommend bringing your poster along with you to the conference as our venues do not have onsite printing facilities. If you wish to independently source local printing, please feel free to do so – the hotel address can be found under the ‘Venue’ tab if needed.
Our poster boards can accommodate a maximum poster size of A0 (1189H x 841W mm), portrait in orientation. Posters exceeding this size may not fit on the poster boards provided and therefore we may be unable to display your poster, so please kindly keep to these measurements.
Upon arrival to the conference, the Fusion team will give you instructions for displaying your poster. Your poster will remain on display for the duration of the conference, allowing presenters to take advantage of refreshment breaks and free time for valuable networking opportunities, in addition to the dedicated poster session.
Please check the programme and note the date and time of the poster session(s). Your poster will be judged during the poster session(s) and prizes will be awarded at the Gala Dinner.
Posters will be taken down by the Fusion team and can be collected on the final day of the conference.
LinkedIn forum
Bringing together the global community of researchers and scientists interested in the study of DNA. Relevant specialties are wide-ranging, reflecting the importance of DNA Research in many aspects of health and disease, including; DNA Repair, DNA Replication, DNA Damage, Cancer, Chromosomal Instability, RNA and Nucleic Acids.
The group is open to all and is intended as a networking forum for past, present and future participants of Fusion Conferences as well as those interested in the related topics.
If you are interested in this meeting but not yet ready to register, you can sign up for updates here and our team will keep you updated regarding deadline reminders and grant opportunities relating to this meeting only.
Bronze Sponsors
Media Partners
If you're interested in sponsoring this conference please contact us.
Conference Manager
Felicity Harrap
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.