OBJECTIVE

The objective of this meeting is to bring together and initiate interdisciplinary interactions between researchers from the fields of system biology, chemistry, basic biology and clinical sciences. The topics of discussion include complexity of DNA topology, chromatin structure, chromosome segregation and the dynamics of biopolymers which are essential for cellular integrity. Defects in these processes can lead to large-scale genomic rearrangements which promote mutations and result in genome instability. This in turn may alter the transcription process leading to changes in gene expression profiles- a driving factor for multiple diseases, including cancer. To avoid the deleterious consequences of DNA damage accumulation, cells have developed DNA damage response pathways and DNA-repair systems which consist of complex signaling networks including activation of cell cycle checkpoints and reorganization of molecular motors for genome maintenance. However, understanding the molecular mechanism of DNA damage and chromosome stability is still unclear and needs interdisciplinary approaches to address the problem. Thus, we felt that there is an urgent need to provide a platform to facilitate interaction between the motivated and fast growing Indian scientific community and leading scientists across the world to enhance scientific interactions and promote collaborations. We believe that such endeavors contribute to reduction of intellectual barriers and encourage designing of new cancer therapeutic strategies.