The 3D folding of chromatin within the nucleus determines the framework in which all processes of genome dynamics occur and has attracted extraordinary attention in the last few years, fundamentally with the development of genome-wide chromosome-conformation-capture techniques, which have radically changed our understanding of how the genome is spatially organised in a dynamic fashion. The most illustrative example for this is perhaps the regulation of gene expression, which is now unconceivable to understand without a three-dimensional context of controlled chromatin interactions. The connections between 3D genome organisation and the processes that signal and repair DNA damage in order to maintain genome integrity are, however, only now starting to emerge, and proving fundamental to understand the endogenous sources of DNA breaks and chromosomal rearrangement events that drive cancer onset and progression. In this meeting we aim at bringing together world-leading researchers in both fields, 3D genome organisation and the DNA-damage response, in order to provide an ideal setting to bridge the gap between these two fundamental aspects of genome dynamics.

Topics to be covered:

• Fundamental principles of genome organisation

• SMC complexes in genome organisation and dynamics

• Genome organisation and the DNA-damage response

• Genome organisation and replicative stress

• Genome organisation in health and disease