Unlocking Genome Regulation through Chromatin Dynamics

The packaging of eukaryotic genomes into chromatin is central to cell identity and genome maintenance. Defects in chromatin regulation are strongly linked to human disease, including cancer and neurodegeneration. The 2026 Gordon Conference on Chromatin Structure and Function will cover a broad territory of fundamental questions, ranging from how nucleosomes, the building blocks of chromatin, are assembled, modified and mobilized, to how higher-order chromatin states regulate distinct cellular states across the lifetime of both simple and highly complex organisms. The chromatin field has been advancing rapidly on conceptual and technical fronts due to novel interdisciplinary and orthogonal approaches, ranging from genomics and chemical biology to integrated structural approaches. The talks will thus also highlight the importance of working across disciplines such as biochemistry, chemistry, cell biology and physiology to enable deeper and more comprehensive understanding of how defects in chromatin regulation contribute to disease.

This conference has a long history of bringing together leaders across the world and new members in the area of chromatin structure and function. We aim to provide a welcoming forum where scientists from diverse backgrounds and career stages can engage in open and in-depth scientific discussions. Thus, several talks will be reserved for early career scientists and all applicants will have the opportunity to present a poster on their work. To ensure inclusion of the latest developments many platform presentation topics will be selected from the submitted abstracts. Sufficient discussion time will be scheduled to promote the lively exchange of ideas and interpretations. Ample time is also set aside in the afternoons and after the evening sessions for informal interactions and extensive networking that have always played a key role at this conference. This conference will also be preceded by a GRS, which we expect to provide a lively, interactive and impactful scientific and networking platform for early career scientists.