Past Conference

2nd Recombination Mechanisms Conference

#Recombination25

Date

10 May - 14 May 2025

Location

Chania, Crete

  • Steve West

    Francis Crick Institute

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

Synopsis

Recombination, the process by which genetic material is exchanged between different molecules, is a fundamental mechanism in genetics. It plays a crucial role in generating genetic diversity, repairing DNA, and ensuring accurate chromosome segregation during meiosis. Advances in this field have significant implications for understanding evolution, improving crop yields, and developing treatments for genetic diseases. Current research in recombination focuses on several key questions, including the mechanisms of homologous recombination, the roles of proteins involved in recombination, and the ways cells ensure accuracy and efficiency during recombination events.

Research also delves into the determinants of recombination hotspots, such as genetic and epigenetic factors, and their impact on genome evolution and stability. Workers in the field focus on investigating how cells balance the need for genetic diversity with the maintenance of genomic integrity, the mechanisms for repairing errors introduced during recombination, and how different organisms manage recombination-induced DNA damage. The evolutionary implications of recombination, including its role in the evolution of new traits, species adaptation to environmental changes, and the factors driving the evolution of recombination rates, are also crucial areas of study.

Moreover, there are significant technological applications of recombination research. These include improving crop resistance and yield, developing gene therapy and personalized medicine, and advancing synthetic biology. Understanding the regulatory networks that control recombination during different stages of the cell cycle, how cells respond to inappropriate or excessive recombination, and the implications of dysregulated recombination for diseases like cancer is vital. This research, driven by molecular genetics, biochemistry, advanced imaging techniques, and computational models, not only addresses fundamental biological questions but also paves the way for practical applications in various fields, including medicine, agriculture, and biotechnology.

Confirmed Invited Speakers

Andres Aguilera (CABIMER/ University of Seville)
INSIGHTS INTO THE ROLE OF RNA AND CHROMATIN IN RECOMBINATIONAL REPAIR
Simon Boulton (Francis Crick Institute)
MECHANISMS OF RECOMBINATION 
Valerie Borde (Institute Curie)
REGULATION OF DNA SYNTHESIS DURING DOUBLE-STRAND BREAK REPAIR
Dana Branzei (IFOM ETS)
NEW INSIGHTS INTO DNA DAMAGE TOLERANCE CHOICE
Petr Cejka (Institute for Research in Biomedicine)
MECHANISM OF BRCA-1-BARD1 FUNCTION IN DNA END RESECTION AND DNA PROTECTION
Titia De Lange (Rockefeller University)
TELOMERES AND THE DNA DAMAGE RESPONSE
Bernard De Massy (Institute of Human Genetics Montpellier)
DNA DOUBLE-STRAND BREAK FORMATION DURING MEIOSIS
Pierre-Henri Gaillard (Cancer Research Centre Marseille)
SLX4/FANCP: PLAYING WITH NUCLEASES, HELICASES AND BEYOND
Jim Haber (Brandeis University)
MICROHOMOLOGY-MEDIATED TEMPLATE SWITCHING REQUIRES EXTENSIVE PAIRING OF ADJACENT HOMEOLOGOUS REGIONS
Wolf-Dietrich Heyer (University of California, Davis)
THE MULTI-FACETED ROLES OF CHROMATIN IN HOMOLOGOUS RECOMBINATION
Ian Hickson (University of Copenhagen)
SINGLE MOLECULE ANALYSIS OF THE BLOOM'S PROTEIN COMPLEX
Maria Jasin (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center)
GENOMIC AND GENETIC LOSS AFTER A DOUBLE-STRAND BREAK
Roland Kanaar (Erasmus University Rotterdam)
FUNCTION OF BRCA2 IN HOMOLOGOUS RECOMBINATION
Scott Keeney (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center)
MECHANISM OF MEIOTIC RECOMBINATION INITIATION
Stephen Kowalczykowski (University of California, Davis)
THE ROLES OF BRCA2 AND RAD51 PARALOGS IN RECOMBINATIONAL DNA REPAIR
Gaelle Legube (Univsersité Paul Sabatier)
CHROMOSOME AND CHROMATIN DYNAMICS AT DNA DOUBLE STRAND BREAK
Anna Malkova (University of Texas)
BREAK INDUCED REPLICATION AND ITS ROLE IN TELOMERE MAINTENANCE
Joao Matos (University of Vienna)
HOLLIDAY JUNCTIONS AND ZMM PROTEINS: PARTNERS IN THE MAINTENANCE OF MEIOTIC CHROMOSOME SYNAPSIS
Andre Nussenzweig (National Institutes of Health)
REPLICATION FORK STABILITY
John Petrini (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center)
SEPARATIONS OF FUNCTION: A COMPREHENSIVE PICTURE OF Rad50S MUTATIONS
Akira Shinohara (Osaka University)
THE MOLECULAR MECHANISM OF RAD51/DMC1-MEDIATED HOMOLOGY SEARCH AND STRAND EXCHANGE
Evi Soutoglou (University of Sussex)
GENOME ORGANISATION IN DNA REPAIR AND MUTAGENESIS
Patrick Sung (University of Texas)
HOMOLOGOUS RECOMBINATION LICENSING ROLES OF THE BRCA1-BARD1 COMPLEX
Lorraine Symington (Columbia University)
REPAIR OF REPLICATION-ASSOCIATED DOUBLE-STRAND BREAKS
Xiaolan Zhao (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center)
MECHANISMS OF Smc5/6-BASED GENOME MANAGEMENT
Xiaodong Zhang (Imperial London College/ Francis Crick Institute)
STRUCTURES AND MECHANISMS OF RAD51 MODULATORS

Target Audience

This conference will appeal to PhD students, post-docs and group leaders working in the fields of recombination, meiosis, DNA repair and cancer. Academic and pharma researchers interested in DNA damage responses and cancer including their intersection with replication, transcription, epigenetics, cancer biology, and cancer drug discovery. The focus will be on the molecular mechanisms of homologous recombination and the interplay of damage responses and cancer biology.

Educational Need

This conference will bring together scientists working at the forefront of DNA recombination (both mitotic and meiotic), repair, replication, transcription, epigenetics, and cancer biology. Presentations will consider diverse cutting-edge methodologies and integrated approaches to investigate the fundamental mechanisms of recombination and repair, at the molecular, structural and cellular levels. The conference will showcase novel breakthrough advances and new developments in these areas. The inter-disciplinary nature of the conference will create strong synergies among participants and outstanding opportunities for exchanging information and developing new collaborations. The cross-disciplinary interactions will be invaluable in training young scientists to work in these and other emerging areas of science.

Confirmed Speakers

Chairs
Steve West

Steve West

Francis Crick Institute

Invited Speakers
Andres Aguilera

Andres Aguilera

Cabimer

Simon Boulton

Simon Boulton

Francis Crick Institute

Valerie Borde

Valerie Borde

Institute Curie

Dana Branzei

Dana Branzei

IFOM ETS

Petr Cejka

Petr Cejka

Institute for Research in Biomedicine

Titia De Lange

Titia De Lange

Rockefeller University

Bernard De Massy

Bernard De Massy

Institute of Human Genetics Montpellier

Pierre-Henri Gaillard

Pierre-Henri Gaillard

Cancer Research Centre Marseille

Jim Haber

Jim Haber

Brandeis University

Wolf-Dietrich Heyer

Wolf-Dietrich Heyer

University of California, Davis

Ian Hickson

Ian Hickson

University of Copenhagen

Maria Jasin

Maria Jasin

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Roland Kanaar

Roland Kanaar

Erasmus University Rotterdam

Scott Keeney

Scott Keeney

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Stephen Kowalczykowski

Stephen Kowalczykowski

University of California, Davis

Gaelle Legube

Gaelle Legube

Univsersité Paul Sabatier

Anna Malkova

Anna Malkova

University of Texas

Joao Matos

Joao Matos

University of Vienna

Andre Nussenzweig

Andre Nussenzweig

National Institutes of Health

John Petrini

John Petrini

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Akira Shinohara

Akira Shinohara

Osaka University

Evi Soutoglou

Evi Soutoglou

University of Sussex

Patrick Sung

Patrick Sung

University of Texas

Lorraine Symington

Lorraine Symington

Columbia University

Xiaolan Zhao

Xiaolan Zhao

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Xiaodong Zhang

Xiaodong Zhang

Imperial London College/ Francis Crick Institute

Programme

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 week before the meeting.

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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.

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Venue & Location

Avra Imperial

The Avra Imperial Hotel is situated on the picturesque bay of Kolymbari, 23km west of Chania, in Crete. Located next to the beautiful beach of Kolymbari, awarded with the EU Blue Flag, set amongst 65,000m² of fragrant lush gardens and surrounded by crystal clear turquoise waters of the Cretan sea with stunning views over the semi-mountainous peninsula, this makes for a wonderful setting for this conference.

With top class facilities including impressive swimming pools, five excellent restaurants and four vibrant bars, sports & leisure facilities, crèche & children’s club, shops, plus a rejuvenating and uniquely designed spa, there is plenty to occupy your free time whether you choose to relax and stay within the hotel or decide to venture further afield and see what Crete has to offer.

The themed Gala Night takes place on the penultimate evening of the conference with a mouth-watering feast of local cuisine, a bar and amazing local entertainment. We welcome all delegates and their accompanying persons to the Gala Night – a truly fun filled night not to be missed!

General Information

Venue Rating

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Currency

Euro (EUR)

Address

Kolymbari 73006 Chania Crete Greece.

Nearest Airport

Chania International Airport

Hotel Facilities

Hotel facilities include:

  • Complimentary Wi-Fi in guest rooms and throughout hotel and conference areas
  • 3 outdoor pools for adults & 2 children’s pools
  • 2 buffet restaurants & 3 à-la-carte restaurants
  • 4 vibrant bars
  • Wellness & Fitness Center with heated indoor pool
  • Open-air amphitheater
  • 2 tennis courts
  • Beauty & Hair Salon

Location

Situated 23km west of Chania, Avra Imperial Hotel is positioned in the village of Kolymbari (or Kolimbari, Kolymvari), a true Cretan seaside village, surrounded by olive goves, located on the corner formed between the northern coastline of western Crete and the Rodopos peninsula stretching towards north. The waterfront and the jetty of the new harbor, that encloses the oldest small harbor with fishing boats, is ideal for a stroll in the afternoon, overlooking the blue of the sea, on one side, and on the other, the hills and the mountains of Rodopos peninsula, rising behind the house roofs.

Gallery

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Conference Manager

Felicity Harrap

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