To maintain genome integrity, cells have developed a complex signaling network, known as the DNA damage response or DDR, that regulates DNA replication, DNA repair and cell cycle checkpoints. Failure to properly respond to DNA damage leads to genomic instability which is an underlying cause of various human genetics syndromes and associated with many age-related diseases, such as cancer or neurodegeneration.

Over the recent years, it has become evident that RNAs and transcription are major players in the maintenance of genome stability. Not only, they are considered as main threats that challenge DNA integrity, by interfering with DNA replication but are they also now recognized as an integral component of the mechanisms that repair DNA damage arising on the genome. 

The program of the proposed meeting is designed to cover these topics, from the mechanisms that trigger instability on transcribing genomic loci including through the formation of R-loops, to the direct role of RNAs and transcription in repair mechanisms and in disease onset.

The meeting will cover the following topics:
1. RNA:DNA hybrids: the good and the bad
2. Transcription-replication conflict as a source of genome instability
3. Transcription-induced genetic instability and RNA in diseases
4. RNAs and transcription in DNA damage repair
5. RNAs and transcription in chromatin, chromosome dynamics and nuclear compartmentalization
6. RNAs and Telomere maintenance