The Chromosome Dynamics Gordon Conference evolved from a meeting that was narrowly focused on bacterial plasmid replication and segregation. As the scientific understanding of larger bacterial chromosomes and eukaryotic chromosomes blossomed, the Bacterial Plasmid GRC expanded its focus to bring new topics into the program. Today the semi-annual Chromosome Dynamics GRC attracts participants engaged in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic systems.

Unlike many excellent specialty meetings where experts in eukaryotic or prokaryotic DNA replication, recombination, or transcription delve in to the intricacies of their special realm, the Chromosome Dynamics GRC takes a different tack. It includes interested participants with very different specialties and methodologies who share the common goal of understanding chromosome dynamics and the mechanisms that organize large DNA molecules. This is critical because homologous and site-specific recombination, transposition target selection, adaptive mutation, gene transcription/silencing, gene order on chromosomes, and genome segregation are all phenomena that depend on accurate models of chromosome dynamics.

Breakout work on chromosomes from viruses to man has been announced at past meetings. Highlights included new biochemistry and cell biology of condensins and cohesins, new roles for telomeres in replication and repair, single-molecule studies of chromatin remodeling proteins, mechanisms of triplet repeat expansions in diseases like Huntington’s Chorea and fragile X syndrome, and new roles for RNA in controlling epigenetic gene regulation and centromere function.