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Extrachromosomal Circular DNA Conference
eccDNA and ecDNA: all circles included #ecDNA25
Prices from:
$1,059.0031 Oct - 03 Nov 2025
Riviera Maya, Mexico
-
Birgitte Regenberg
University of Copenhagen
-
Zhao Zhang
Duke University
Early Bird - 01 May 2025 • Talk Submission - 01 May 2025 • Poster Submission - 23 Jul 2025 • Registration & Payment Deadline - 23 Jul 2025
Synopsis
Unlocking the Future of Biomedical Research: The Power of Extrachromosomal Circular DNA
Extrachromosomal circular DNA (ecDNA) is rapidly emerging as a groundbreaking frontier in biomedical science. Unlike linear chromosomes, circular DNA has no free ends, challenging traditional genetic paradigms and unveiling entirely new biological mechanisms. Found across diverse life forms - from plants to animals and humans - circular DNA is now recognized as a key player in nearly 30% of cancer patients, where it drives oncogene amplification, tumor initiation, and disease progression. This has sparked intense interest in targeting circular DNA for innovative cancer therapies, drawing both academic and industry attention.
This exclusive meeting will bring together leading scientists exploring ecDNA across various domains, including cancer, viruses, plants, and model organisms. With a small, focused audience, we aim to foster deep discussions, knowledge exchange, and collaborative opportunities in an interactive setting.
If you study extrachromosomal circular DNA or have interest in studying them, please join us to be part of this dynamic and rapidly evolving field, where the next breakthroughs in cancer and virus research and therapeutic development await.
Key Sessions
- Chromosomal or Extrachromosomal
- Life cycle of extrachromosomal circular DNA
- Function of extrachromosomal circular DNA
- From Selfish elements: viruses and transposons
- Genome dynamics and evolution
- Cancer and other diseases
Confirmed Invited Speakers
Vineet Bafna (University of California, San Diego)
THE SIGNATURE, SEQUENCE, AND 3-D STRUCTURE OF ecDNA
Yves Barral (ETH Zurich)
SELF-/NON-SELF DNA DISCRIMINATION IN EUKARYOTES: LESSONS FROM FUNGI AND THEIR eccDNAs
Howard Chang (Stanford University)
Weijia Feng (University of Copenhagen)
Haiyun Gan (Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology)
EXTRACHROMOSOMAL DNA REPLICATION COUPLES WITH DNA DAMAGE PATHWAYS TO MAINTAIN ecDNA IN TUMORS
Bikram Gill (Kansas State University)
Peng Han (University of Copenhagen)
Anton Henssen (Max Delbrück Center)
EXTRACHROMOSOMAL ONCOGENE AMPLIFICATIONS IN PEDIATRIC CANCERS
Ruth Kroschewski (ETH Zurich)
SORTING EXOGENOUS EXTRACHROMOSOMAL DNA AWAY FROM CHROMOSOMAL DNA
Heng-Chi Lee (University of Chicago)
Micah Luftig (Duke University)
Paul Mischel (Stanford University)
EXTRACHROMOSOMAL DNA (ecDNA): CANCER’S DYNAMIC CIRCULAR GENOME
Agnel Sfeir (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center)
UNCOVERING THE ROLE OF DNA REPAIR IN ecDNA MAINTENANCE
Monica Triana (University of Copenhagen)
CIRCULAR DNA IN PLANTS: A LINK BETWEEN STRESS AND ADAPTATION
Roel Verhaak (Yale University)
SCREENING FOR ecDNA VULNERABILITIES
Sihan Wu (UT Southwestern)
THE CENTRAL DOGMA FOR ecDNA – ON ITS REPLICATION, REPAIR, AND SEGREGATION
Target Audience
Emerging as a new frontier for researchers globally, the topics discussed during this meeting will interest the broad biomedical research community, with emphasis on those with a research focus on genome dynamics, epigenetics, virology, and immunology, and wider topics surrounding the cancer genome and cancer evolution.
Educational Need
Extrachromosomal circular DNA brings a layer of genome dynamics to alter the genetic information. This process appears to be essential for promoting animal development and driving diseases. For example, cancer cells extensively exploit this DNA form to evolve within patients and as such, understanding its biology would bring novel perspectives for developing new therapeutic modalities.
Confirmed Speakers
Chairs
Birgitte Regenberg
University of Copenhagen
Zhao Zhang
Duke University
Invited Speakers
Vineet Bafna
University of California, San Diego
Yves Barral
ETH Zurich
Howard Chang
Stanford University
Haiyun Gan
Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology
Bikram Gill
Kansas State University
Anton Henssen
Max Delbrück Center
Ruth Kroschewski
ETH Zurich
Heng-Chi Lee
University of Chicago
Michah Luftig
Duke University
Paul Mischel
Stanford University
Agnel Sfeir
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Monica Triana
University of Copenhagen
Roel Verhaak
Yale University
Sihan Wu
UT Southwestern
Programme
Although the programme has not yet been released, we are able to confirm that the main conference programme should begin no earlier than 16:00 with opening comments on Friday 31 October 2025. The conference will conclude with our Gala Dinner on the penultimate evening, with Monday 03 November reserved for depatures.
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. |
$2341 | $2442 |
|
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. |
$1979 | $2080 |
|
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. |
$1059 | $1059 |
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. |
$816 | $266 |
|
Extra Night Prices for extra nights apply per person, per night. |
$342 | $80 |
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 at the Hilton Tulum Riviera Maya hotel during the conference period only:
- Conference registration.
- 3 nights’ fixed accommodation (31 Oct, 01, 02 Nov 2025) on a single or shared basis in a run of house room*.
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner available at restaurants according to their operational hours.
- Unlimited alcoholic beverages, cocktails and soft drinks available at restaurants and bars according to their operational hours.
- Daily coffee breaks.
- Gala buffet dinner with an open bar.
- Room service.
- In-room minibar replenished daily with drinks and snacks.
- Complimentary WIFI throughout the hotel.
What's Included in our Accompanying Adult Fees?
Our accompanying adult fees are inclusive of the following at the Hilton Tulum Riviera Maya hotel during the conference period only:
- 3 nights’ fixed accommodation (31 Oct, 01, 02 Nov 2025) on a shared basis with a conference participant in a run of house room*.
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner available at restaurants according to their operational hours.
- Unlimited alcoholic beverages, cocktails and soft drinks available at restaurants and bars according to their operational hours.
- Gala buffet dinner with an open bar.
- Room service.
- In-room minibar replenished daily with drinks and snacks.
- Complimentary WIFI throughout the hotel.
Important Note: Accompanying guests are not permitted access to the conference.
What's Included in our Accompanying Child Fees?
Our accompanying child fees are inclusive of the following at the Hilton Tulum Riviera Maya hotel during the conference period only:
- 3 nights’ fixed accommodation (31 Oct, 01, 02 Nov 2025) on a shared basis with the parent/s in a run of house room*.
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner available at restaurants according to their operational hours.
- Unlimited soft drinks available at restaurants and bars according to their operational hours.
- Gala buffet dinner with soft drinks.
- Complimentary WIFI throughout the hotel.
Important Note: Accompanying child fees are applicable for children aged 5-12 years. Children younger than 5 years stay free of charge with a parent. Children aged 13 years and older are classified as an adult at this venue. Please kindly ensure your child / children are supervised at all times during conference and related events. Childcare services are available at the hotel, please contact Chloe for further information.
What's Included in our Extra Night Fees?
Our extra night fees are inclusive of the following at the Hilton Tulum Riviera Maya hotel:
- 1 night’s accommodation for 1 person in a run of house room*.
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner available at restaurants according to their operational hours.
- Unlimited alcoholic beverages, cocktails and soft drinks available at restaurants and bars according to their operational hours
- Room service.
- In-room minibar replenished daily with drinks and snacks.
- Complimentary WIFI throughout the hotel.
Important Note: If you wish to extend your stay more than 1 night pre/post conference, this is possible to book via Fusion, but please contact Chloe for assistance and prices. Extra night child fees are applicable for children aged 5-12 years. Children younger than 5 years stay free of charge with a parent. Children aged 13 years and older are classified as an adult at this venue.
*Run of house means you could be allocated any of the following room types; nature view, partial ocean view or ocean view room with either king or double beds. Room types cannot be guaranteed. The only way to guarantee a room type is to upgrade. Please contact Fusion for upgrade options and pricing.
Prices and hotel availability are subject to change without notice.
Grants
As the landscape of research funding shifts, we understand external funding sources are now critical to ensure opportunities for scientific collaboration remain accessible, and uninterrupted. We are working closely with sponsors and partners to establish new initiatives to support those impacted by financial uncertainties. We will be updating this page regularly with new opportunities for support should they become available, so be sure to check back later to avoid missing out. To receive notifications about upcoming deadlines, and grant opportunities, sign up for updates using the bell icon above.
ECR Awards
We have been able to create several $500 registration grants to help offset attendance costs for early career researchers. If you are a student, postdoc or junior faculty (within 3 years of your position), you are eligible. To apply please email the conference manager, Chloe Trundle.
Your application should include your name, organisation, career level, an abstract for talk or poster consideration, and a short summary answering the below questions (no more than 50-100 words per question).
• What cutting edge aspects of your work will you share at the meeting?
• What knowledge gaps are you addressing in the field?
• Why do you require financial support to attend?
• How will attending #ecDNA25 benefit your science and career?
• Are there any other reasons as to why your application should strongly be considered?
Applications will be considered on a rolling basis, and only a limited number of awards are available. Thereofre, we recommend early application to avoid disappointment. If you are interested in presenting a talk, please ensure your abstract and ECR award application are submitted no later than midnight BST on Thursday 01 May 2025.
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Contact usVenue & Location
Hilton Tulum Riviera Maya
The Rivera Maya is a beautiful area of Mexico and has a very different feel to the busier, downtown energy of Cancun. Nestled just 8 miles from Tulum, Hilton Tulum Riviera Maya offers a serene and inspiring environment, ideal for fostering meaningful connections. This location is set back from the city’s hustle and bustle, allowing for a more peaceful and focused atmosphere where informal discussions and creative collaboration can thrive. With breathtaking views and refreshing ocean breezes providing a beautiful backdrop for open dialogue and fresh perspectives, it’s no wonder this destination is a favorite among our delegates!
Hotel facilities include;
- Complimentary Wi-Fi in guest rooms and throughout hotel and conference areas
- Pools
- Spa
- Fitness Center
- 6 Restaurants
- Kids Club
- Beach
General Information
Venue Rating
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Currency
US Dollar (USD)
Address
Carretera Cancun Tulum 307 Tulkal Chemuyil Tulum, 77774, Mexico
Nearest Airport
Cancun International Airport
Location
Stretching from the fishing village of Puerto Morelos to the biosphere reserve of Sian Ka'an, the Mayan Riviera offers an unforgettable Caribbean coastline experience with beautiful white-sand beaches and brilliant turquoise colored water. This world-renowned paradise is home to mangroves and lagoons, ancient Mayan cities, ecological reserves and adventure parks, and the world's second largest coral reef.
The hotel is located just a few miles from Tulum, a town on the Caribbean coastline of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula. It’s known for its spectacluar beaches and well-preserved ruins of an ancient Mayan port city. The area also offers incredible cavern diving opportunties and beautiful cenotes to explore. We would highly recommend joining one of the group activities to Tulum or the Gran Cenote - they will make for an unforgettable conference experience!
Transportation
Cancun International Airport is approximately 1hour 30minutes from the Hilton Tulum Riviera Maya. Unlike other airports, Cancun airport transfer services must be pre-arranged. To obtain safe, licensed and bilingual transportation services please ensure you book your arrival and return transportation online with an authorised transportation company prior to your arrival to ensure a smooth journey without delays.
Tulum International Airport is a newly opened airport located about 1 hour from the Hilton Tulum Riviera Maya. As the airport is still in its early stages, only a select number of airlines are currently operating, including major US carriers such as JetBlue, Air Canada, Delta, and United Airlines. For more details, please visit the airport's official website.
Cancun Airport Taxis
Approximately $100 USD each way*
*subject to change, please check Cancun International Airport website for a more accurate estimation for your trip
Further information on Taxi services can be found on the Cancun International Airport website (see below link) along with some top tips for travellers from local experts and official authorities.
https://www.cancunairport.com/taxi.html
Private Transportation Companies
There are many alternative transportation companies operating in the Cancun area who will be able to provide a quotation for your trip. The following companies are well reviewed on Trip Advisor and quotations can be obtained and bookings can be made directly via their websites.
Amstar
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
Local activity details will be announced here soon.
Group Activities
Group activities will be announced here soon.
Our conference dates fall over the Mexican holiday ‘Dia de los Muertos’ or ‘Day of the Dead’ – an Aztec custom where friends and family come together to celebrate and remember loved ones who have passed on.
Traditionally, the holiday takes place over a few days, and celebrations include parties, parades, costumes, artwork, creating incricate artwork, and Mexican cuisine. As one of the biggest Mexican holidays, there will be many festivities and fiestas to mark the occasion for attendees to take part during free time!
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.
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.
Media Partners
If you're interested in sponsoring this conference please contact us.
Conference Manager
Chloe Trundle
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.