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 8^th 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)
THE NONSENSE-MEDIATED MRNA DECAY PATHWAY DEGRADES REGULATORY NON-CODING RNAS
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)
Leemor Joshua-Tor (Cold Spring Harbor Lab)
MAD ABOUT U: REGULATING THE let-7 miRNA PATHWAY
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)
NEW INSIGHTS INTO HUMAN TELOMERE MAINTENANCE MACHINERY
Giulia Palermo (University of California)
COMPUTATIONAL GENE EDITING
Lori Passmore (MRC)
MECHANISTIC INSIGHTS INTO THE POLY(A) TAIL MACHINERY
Titia Sixma (Netherlands Cancer Institute)
STRUCTURAL STUDIES IN MMR ACTIVATION
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)
GEOMETRIC RECOGNITION AND RNA MODIFICATIONS IN 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

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.

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.

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 will be announced here soon.

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.