The conference program covers how RNA and RNA-dependent machineries govern chromatin landscape, gene expression, and genome architecture during development, homeostasis, and in response to cellular stress. This conference prioritises high-throughput and systems biology approaches that convey new mechanistic insights into genome regulation and will also highlight emerging methods/technology that will propel the field forward in the coming years. 

RNA has rapidly evolved from bystander to master orchestrator of several biological processes that take place in the nucleus. In fact, the key molecular machineries regulating gene expression and chromatin accessibility (Polycomb, Mediator, SWI/SNF, Integrator, spliceosome) are dependent on RNA for selecting their targets and for their processivity. Additionally, RNA-containing chromatin structures, such as R-loops, have now emerged as a fixture of mammalian genomes and are implicated in gene regulation, spatial chromosome organisation and genome stability.  In essence, RNA-dependent molecular machineries and RNA-DNA chromatin structures underlie transcriptional regulation and epigenetic  reprogramming across all developmental processes and ensure the overall integrity of the human genome.

This conference provides a platform for cross-fertilization between a heterogeneous set of scientific communities encompassing RNA biology, epigenetics, DNA repair, transcription, genetics, and genome engineering. The majority of talks will be selected from submitted abstracts.

Session Themes:

• Biogenesis of noncoding RNAs and their role in genome regulation
• R-loops modulation and function
• From start to finish: regulation of transcriptional machineries by RNA
• RNA-dependent epigenetic modulation
• New genomic technologies  
• Emerging roles of RNA in genome integrity
• RNA-mediated phase separation
• Functional implications of RNA modifications
• Transcribed repetitive DNA elements

Student Offer

Take advantage of this fantastic opportunity for students! Fully paying 'single' or 'shared' registrants can bring a student for only $960. Unfortunately, Postdocs are not eligible. Both registration packages include; accommodation for the 11, 12, 13 Feb 2024 (on a shared basis for students) and a food and beverage package for the conference period. Once registered, please contact Shannon to obtain a special registration link for your student.

Confirmed Speakers

Roberto Bonasio (University of Pennsylvania)
Marc Buhler (Freidrich Meischer Institute for Biomedical Research)
SEQUENCE-SPECIFIC TARGETING OF CHROMATIN REGULATORS
Howard Chang (Stanford University)
GENOME REGULATION BY LONG NONCODING RNAs
Stirling Churchman (Harvard Medical School) 
THE MANY LIFE CYCLES OF RNA
Karlene Cimprich (Stanford University)
RNA MEETS DNA: DANGEROUS LIASONS IN THE GENOME
Alessandro Gardini (The Wistar Institute)
Mitchell Guttman (Caltech)
Richard Jenner (University College London)
THE EFFECTS OF RNA ON PRC2 AND OTHER CHROMATIN REGULATORS
Jeannie Lee (Massachusetts General Hospital)
Joshua Mendell (UT Southwestern)
NEW FUNCTIONS AND REGULATORS OF NONCODING RNAS IN MAMMALS
Kate Meyer (Duke University)
m6A-MEDIATED CONTROL OF GENE EXPRESSION
Danesh Moazed (Harvard University)
Oliver Rando (University of Massachusetts)
Raffaella Santoro (University of Zurich)
REGULATION OF CHROMATIN COMPARTMENTS BY RNA AND RNA-BINDING PROTEINS
Kavitha Sarma (The Wistar Institute)
Ramin Shiekhattar (University of Miami)
INTEGRATOR COMPLEX SHAPES THE MAMMALIAN TRANSCRIPTOME LANDSCAPE
Igor Ulitsky (Weizmann Institute)
GENOME REGULATION BY CIS-ACTING LONG NONCODING RNAs
Joanna Wysocka (Stanford University)

Target Audience

We target a broad and diverse panel of scientists (from both academia and industry) with a core interest in RNA biology, epigenetics, DNA repair, transcription, genetics, or genome engineering.  We plan to draw the majority of talks from submitted abstracts, with an emphasis on junior investigators that have been missing adequate platforms to promote their scientific ideas during the pandemic.  We would also like to promote this conference among under-represented groups in science and, to that regard, we would like to partner with external sponsors and offer trainee travel fellowships to foster attendance. 

Educational Need

Scientists interested in genome regulation and RNA-based mechanisms in biology are often partitioned into different sub-fields and lack opportunities to exchange ideas and foster collaborative projects. This conference provides attendees with a unique opportunity to interact with a varied scientific community.

Although the below programme is the most up to date version, please note it is still a draft copy and is subject to change. We will continue to upload the latest version here, and circulate a final copy to all participants in the weeks before the meeting.