About the Workshop
The three-dimensional organization of chromosomes plays a fundamental role in all genome-associated processes, from gene regulation to DNA repair. SMC complexes, discovered as drivers of chromosome condensation and sister chromatid cohesion, are now recognized as essential factors in other key genomic functions, such as regulation of gene expression, DNA repair, and defense, across all domains of life. Their dysfunction is linked to various human diseases, including cancer and developmental disorders. Recent technical advances and conceptual breakthroughs have transformed the field. New theoretical ideas, such as the loop extrusion model, have provided a mechanistic framework for SMC function, while breakthroughs in structural biology, imaging, and genomics have revealed unprecedented molecular detail. These advances enable us to address fundamental questions about SMC mechanism, regulation, and their diverse roles across evolution. The field now faces the challenge of integrating these diverse findings into a cohesive understanding of SMC mechanism and function. This EMBO Workshop will bring together researchers using complementary approaches, such as chromosome conformation capture, in vivo microscopy, cryo-EM, and single-molecule techniques, as well as theoretical modeling, to address these questions. By fostering discussion between experts working across different systems and scales, we aim to advance our understanding of the key chromosome architects.
About EMBO Courses and Workshops
EMBO Courses and Workshops are selected for their excellent scientific quality and timelines, provision of good networking activities for all participants and speaker gender diversity (at least 40% of speakers must be from the underrepresented gender).
Organisers are encouraged to implement measures to make the meeting environmentally more sustainable.
