Biology and Mechanisms of RNA and DNA Modification

The GRC on RNA Editing is the only international meeting dedicated to nucleic acid modifications. The 2017 meeting is subtitled "Biology and Mechanisms of RNA and DNA Modification". RNA and DNA modifications are programmed in nearly all organisms and influence many fundamental processes including gene expression, protein expression, metabolism, epigenetics, cognition, innate and adaptive immunity, autoimmune disease, and cancer. While different enzymes and molecular machines are responsible for generating the large repertoire of modifications and editing events present in individual cells, tissues, organisms, and disease states, there are many conceptual and mechanistic similarities and researchers investigating these diverse processes have benefited immensely from the theoretical and technical advances of complementary areas. Thus, the GRC on RNA Editing fosters the ever-increasing need to exchange ideas among researchers who are at the forefront of these exciting, fast-moving, and diverse fields with the goal of continuing to promote a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms as well as the physiological functions and pathological processes governed by nucleic acid editing and modification events.

The 2017 GRC on RNA Editing is additionally unique because it will celebrate the 20th year of this biennial conference (10th anniversary). To commemorate this special event, Professor Tomas Lindahl, FRS, 2015 Nobel Laureate in Chemistry, will give a keynote lecture on "Endogenous DNA Damage and Its Repair". This talk will be complemented by about 50 oral and 100 poster presentations representing most areas of RNA and DNA editing and modification. The program will have nine sessions, which will be organized to bring together experts and trainees working on different systems with common areas of interest, in the following broad areas: Physiological Functions for Editing and Modification; Neuro-Editing; Editing in Immunity; Epitranscriptomics; RNA and DNA Modifications in Cancer; Molecular Mechanisms of Editing Machines; Regulation of Editing and Modification; Genome and Transcriptome Engineering Technologies; and New Frontiers in Editing. Presentations will be from scientists at all stages of their careers, including a number selected from submitted abstracts. In addition, the program will include four poster sessions at which all participants are encouraged to present and discuss results. As is our tradition, we will strive to provide a gender balanced and an ethnically and geographically diverse meeting that allows investigators to present novel findings and new approaches, while also providing a collegial opportunity for all participants to interact, which will lead to new insights and a deeper understanding of editing and modification mechanisms.