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)
REGULATION OF RECOMBINATION INTERMEDIATES
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.

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.

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.

There are two main airports in Crete:

Chania International Airport is located 39km from the Avra Imperial Chania, approximately 40 minutes journey time.
Heraklion International Airport is located 162.5 km from the hotel and the journey time is approximately 2hrs 15min.

There are frequent daily flights to and from the UK and Europe to both airports. If travelling from the USA, most flights are scheduled via Athens with an inter-connecting flight on to Chania International / Heraklion international.

The taxi rank is located outside the terminal building, however, during busy periods, it is recommended you pre-book your airport transfer to avoid long waiting times.

Pre-booked Airport Transfers

There are various suppliers that offer pre-booked airport transfer to and from both Chania and Heraklion airports. Please find details of a few that we are aware of below. However, should you require further information, or would like to make a booking, please contact the company directly. Pre-booked transportation prices vary from €57 (up to 4 people) from Chania International Airport to the Avra Imperial Hotel and €180 (up to 4 people) from Heraklion Airport to the Avra Imperial Hotel. Rates are based on a single journey; discounts may be available for a pre-booked return trip:

Crete Lux Travel
Contact Email: info@creteluxtravel.com
Website: https://creteluxtravel.com/ 

Taxi Limo Chania
Contact Email: info@taxilimochania.gr 
Website: https://taxilimochania.gr

Chania Taxi & Van
Contact Email: info@taxivan-chania.gr 
Website: http://www.taxivan-chania.gr/ 

Edem Travel
Contact Email: info@edemtravel.gr 
Website: https://www.edemtravel.gr/ 

Crete Taxi Van
Contact Email: info@cretetaxivan.gr 
Website: https://www.cretetaxivan.gr 

**Any bookings and transactions made with the above suppliers are the sole responsibility of the individual.

Chania is one of the prettiest towns on the island of Crete, with its cobbled streets filled with shops selling clothes, ceramics, and local artworks, and restaurants and cafes overlooking the Venetian harbour, but if you fancy venturing further afield, we have listed a few suggestions below.

The Old Port
Dating from the 14th century, the old harbour is ringed by a promenade lined with seafood eateries and cafés. As you wander to the east of the old harbour, you'll pass by the small mosque, erected by the Ottoman Turks after they took Chania in 1645. Today it serves as a small art gallery. Beyond the mosque stand the arsenals, where the Venetians repaired their galleys. There is also a yachting marina. 

Walk the Seawall to the Lighthouse 
One of the best views of the old port and Chania's old town can be found by taking a stroll along the Venetian seawall to the 19th-century lighthouse. The walk takes about 15 minutes one way, at a leisurely pace. This walk will also take you by some of the main sights in the old port, including the Yiali Tzami mosque and the Venetian arsenals. Although the lighthouse is not open to visitors, you can still climb the set of stairs to the first level.

Maritime Museum of Crete
The museum traces Crete's centuries-old relationship with the sea, from the Minoans, through the Byzantine, Venetian, and Turkish periods, to arrive at the German invasion of the island during WWII. Spread over two floors, the collection includes video presentations, amazing models of ships, paintings, photos, and nautical equipment

Archaeological Museum of Chania
Chania's history dates back millennia to somewhere around 2200 BC, when the Minoans founded the ancient city-state of Kydonia on this same spot. You will be able to view archeological finds from western Crete dating from Neolithic times through to the Roman era, with a vast array of ceramics, painted burial urns, gold jewellery, and clay tablets with inscriptions to name a few.

Botanic Park & Gardens of Crete
Crete is well known for growing olives and grapes, but also farms tropical fruits, such as avocados and bananas. In this carefully tended park, at the foot of the White Mountains, you can follow a two-kilometer path that will take you through a garden planted with exotic flowers and fruit trees from all over the world. Sit in a shady spot to take in the wonderful aroma of the fragrant herbs or visit the café-restaurant where they serve Cretan dishes prepared with the park’s own seasonal produce.

The Monasteries of Akrotiri Peninsula
The rocky peninsula of Akrotiri, 10 kilometres east of Chania, is home to three monasteries; Agia Triada, Gouverneto and Katholiko, each one set in beautiful surroundings with unique characteristics. 

Day Trip to Hike the Samaria Gorge
For the adventurers among you, take a day trip to hike the Samaria Gorge, the longest of Crete’s deep cut gorges at 18 kilometres. You can do the hike independently or as part of an organised trip, which is highly recommended as the hike is quite complex and challenging. This is a one-way hike, so you need to consider transport back to your starting point before embarking on this activity. Entrance to the gorge is at the village of Omalós, 42 kilometres south of Chania. The hike is almost all downhill, with the gorge opening out to the sea at the village of Ayía Rouméli, with a black-sand beach where you can swim at the end of your hike to cool you down.

Wine Tour & Tasting Experience – Monday 12th May

The Patriotis winery is a family owned and operated boutique winery and vineyard, with tradition in winemaking that dates back in time. They aim to create honest, low-intervention wine, from sustainably grown grapes, in the classic old-world French style.

The Karavitakis winery consists of two wine-tasting areas and a small church nestled between beautiful vineyards and olive groves on the hilltops of the Kolimbari area.

Price:
The total price of this trip is €75. 
Payment will be made on the day- cash or card (AMEX not accepted).

Tour Includes:
- Round-trip transportation
- Guided tour at each winery
- Tasting of up 6 wines at Karavitakis winery and 5 wines at Patriotis winery
To sign up, please email Felicity, noting the names of any accompanying guests joining you.

Please note, sign-ups for are required by Wednesday 23rd April. Spaces for the trip are limited and you will not be able to sign-up after the listed deadline!

Once you have confirmed your participation you are financially committed. After signing up, should you decide to no longer participate or not show up at the time of the trip, you will still be charged. 

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.