2024 Chromatin Structure and Function Gordon Research Conference and Gordon Research Seminar

Project Summary This proposal requests support for the 2024 GRC and GRS meeting on Chromatin Structure & Function (focus on “Chromatin's Impact on Genome Function Across Size and Time-Scales”) at the Bryant University in Rhode Island from July 6 - 12, 2024. The 2024 Gordon Conference on Chromatin Structure and Function will bring together

outstanding international experts to discuss their latest and most exciting research on chromatin as a powerful regulatory platform that shapes genome function. The conference addresses how chromatin-based genome regulation impacts all essential DNA-dependent processes, both at the most fundamental and mechanistic level,

and also at the level of disease pathologies, and therefore is highly significant. The field is evolving at a rapid pace due to adoption of novel interdisciplinary approaches, from fields such as genomics, chemical biology, and structural biology. These approaches have enabled new ways to visualize conformation and dynamics from the scale of single nucleosomes and their regulators to the scale of whole

chromosomes. Such advances are allowing for in-depth testing of existing models such as heterochromatin spreading using novel synthetic biology approaches as well as the discovery of new mechanisms for major unanswered questions such as dosage compensation. At the same time, it is also becoming clear that many

mechanisms discovered in model cells vary in usage based on cell type and therefore at an organismal level, it is critical to understand tissue-specific chromatin regulation. Such tissue specific studies are particularly critical for understanding the origin of various cancers. This conference has a long history of attracting top researchers and new entrants in chromatin research. It has been

an important forum for fostering new ideas, and collaborations, and this tradition will be continued in 2024. We will continue to integrate new members into this growing field. A large number of talks will be reserved for early-career scientists and for scientists from under-represented groups, and all applicants will have the opportunity to present a

poster on their work. Additionally, “poster previews” will highlight selected posters in short oral presentations. Sufficient discussion time will be scheduled to promote the lively and free exchange of ideas and interpretations and there will be ample time set aside in the afternoons and after the evening sessions for the informal interactions that

have always played a key role at this conference. The GRC will be preceded by a GRS which we expect to further enhance interactions and networking among the younger conference participants.