Conference Description
The Meiosis GRC is a premier, international scientific conference focused on advancing the frontiers of science through the presentation of cutting-edge and unpublished research, prioritizing time for discussion after each talk and fostering informal interactions among scientists of all career stages. The conference program includes an array of speakers and discussion leaders from institutions and organizations worldwide, concentrating on the latest developments in the field. The conference is five days long and held in a remote location to increase the sense of camaraderie and create scientific communities, with lasting collaborations and friendships. In addition to premier talks, the conference has designated time for poster sessions from individuals of all career stages, and afternoon free time and communal meals allow for informal networking opportunities with leaders in the field.
Meiosis is the specialized cell division cycle that gives rise to haploid gametes for sexual reproduction. Despite the importance of meiosis for the propagation of species and the conservation of many key events, meiotic mechanisms are often distinctively embellished by evolution across systems. Exploring both these distinct differences, as well as the commonalities in meiotic strategies employed across eukaryotes, is crucial to our understanding of how meiosis is regulated to ensure the production of euploid gametes. This knowledge is clearly relevant for our own species, where meiotic defects account for high rates of infertility, miscarriages and birth defects, but also for the development of strategies for improving animal breeding and crop production. Topics that focus on this unique cell division cycle range across multiple sub-disciplines, such as germ cell biology, DNA recombination and repair, gene regulation and epigenetics, chromosome dynamics, checkpoint mechanisms and spindle assembly. To foster community and promote scientific exchange, we prioritize time for discussion after oral presentations and encourage informal and formal interactions among scientists of all career stages.
Abstracts are due March 13th, 2026 for consideration for oral or poster presentation and we encourage scientists to apply early, since this meeting is usually oversubscribed. Abstracts for oral presentation may be submitted by faculty or by trainees (with permission from their PIs). Please note, however, that we will prioritize trainees who are currently or about to be on the job market, and only one abstract for oral presentation may be submitted from each lab.
The conference will consist of nine sessions, on the topics listed below. The conference chair is currently developing their preliminary program, which will include the names of the invited speakers and discussion leaders for each of these sessions. The preliminary program will be available by September 10, 2025. Please check back for updates.
