The Gordon Research Seminar on Chromatin Structure and Function is a unique forum for graduate students, post-docs, and other scientists with comparable levels of experience and education to present and exchange new data and cutting edge ideas.

The inaugural 2018 Gordon Research Seminar in Chromatin Structure and Function is a meeting for young scientists and established investigators presenting leading-edge research and innovative ideas. The meeting will explore the various aspects of chromatin biology including the hierarchies of chromatin structure, visualization and engineering of chromatin, regulation of genome functions and connections between epigenetic modifications and cellular metabolism in the context of development and human disease. A wide range of approaches including genome-wide chromatinomics, structural biology, proteomics, computational modeling and high resolution microscopy will be highlighted in the seminar.

The main goal of the Chromatin Structure and Function GRS is to provide unique opportunities for younger attendees to scientifically interact with their peers as well as with established investigators in the field. Following the historic footsteps of the associated GRC, the Chromatin Structure and Function GRS fosters the exchange of novel ideas, diverse interactions and long-lasting collaborations. Early-stage scientists will have the opportunity to present their work and obtain feedback from colleagues and experienced scientists, enabling them to build on their work and potentially explore novel ideas. In addition, there will be a session dedicated to career advising for graduate students as well as postdocs. Attendees will have a chance to hear about the experiences of scientists at various career stages and explore additional opportunities for professional development. We aim to make the GRS a long-lasting component of the Chromatin Structure and Function GRC and to attract enthusiastic and talented young researchers with eagerness to expand their scientific inquiry. We expect the scientific interactions at the GRS to carry over to the main conference to make it an even more enriching experience for all attendees.

Application Instructions

The seminar will feature approximately 10 talks and 2 poster sessions. All attendees are expected to actively participate in the GRS, either by giving an oral presentation or presenting a poster. Therefore, all applications must include an abstract.

The seminar chair will select speakers from abstracts submitted by April 21, 2018. Those applicants who are not chosen for talks and those who apply after the deadline to be considered for an oral presentation will be expected to present a poster. In order to participate, you must submit an application by the date indicated in the Application Information section above.

Program Format

Gordon Research Seminars are 2-day meetings which take place on the Saturday and Sunday just prior to the start of the associated GRC. The GRS opens with a 1-hour introductory session on Saturday afternoon, followed by a poster session, dinner and a 2-hour session in the evening. Sunday morning begins with breakfast and is followed by another 2-hour session, a second poster session, and lunch. A final 1-hour session takes place just after lunch, and the associated GRC begins later that evening.

Applications for this meeting must be submitted by June 23, 2018. Please apply early, as some meetings become oversubscribed (full) before this deadline. If the meeting is oversubscribed, it will be stated here. Note: Applications for oversubscribed meetings will only be considered by the conference chair if more seats become available due to cancellations.

GRS Speaker Abstract Deadline: Although applications will be accepted until the date noted above, any applicants who wish to be considered for an oral presentation should submit their application by April 21, 2018. Please refer to the application instructions in the Conference Description section below for more details (if available).

An outline of the program components for this GRS is displayed below. The seminar chair is currently developing their detailed program schedule, which will include the speakers they select from submitted abstracts, in addition to any additional components outlined below. The detailed program will be available by May 21, 2018. Please check back for updates.

• “The Next Chapter in Chromatin Biology”