The Institute for Basic Science (IBS), in collaboration with Keystone Symposia, a globally renowned life sciences conference organization, will host an international conference on "DNA Replication Gaps, Cancer, and Disease" from April 27 to 30, 2025, at Daejeon Convention Center (Exhibition Hall 1), South Korea.

Following the success of two previous joint conferences, this third edition is the first international forum to focus on the 'gaps' that occur during DNA replication. Traditional cancer research has largely centered on DNA double-stranded breaks (DSBs), but recent studies suggest that single-stranded DNA gaps (ssDNA gaps) that arise during replication play a crucial role in cancer development and treatment. This emerging field has sparked interest in utilizing replication gaps as a novel target for anticancer strategies. With leading experts in cancer research attending, the conference aims to share the latest findings on the formation and regulation of DNA replication gaps and explore their potential as new therapeutic targets.

The conference is co-chaired by MYUNG Kyungjae, Director of the IBS Center for Genomic Integrity and a leading authority in DNA damage repair. The organizing committee also includes Sharon B. CANTOR (UMass Chan Medical School), Alberto CICCIA (Columbia University), and Vincenzo COSTANZO (Italian Institute of Molecular Oncology).

The keynote speaker will be Helle D. ULRICH, Director of the Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB) in Mainz, Germany. A world leader in DNA repair and genome stability research, Dr. Ulrich has provided groundbreaking insights into how protein modifications like ubiquitin and SUMO contribute to the repair of DNA replication gaps, offering new perspectives on cancer treatment.

Additionally, the conference will feature distinguished researchers from top universities and institutions across the U.S. and Europe, as well as emerging scientists, fostering an in-depth discussion on the rapidly evolving field of DNA replication stress and gaps. This will serve as a platform for presenting innovative research directions and expanding global collaborations.

Co-chair MYUNG Kyungjae emphasized the importance of this event, stating, "This conference will be an essential forum not only for molecular biologists and cancer researchers but also for experts in the pharmaceutical industry seeking to develop new cancer therapies. We anticipate that global collaboration will mark a turning point in the search for new cancer treatment strategies."

The conference is open to scientists, medical professionals, pharmaceutical industry experts, and anyone interested in the latest advancements in cancer research and treatment. Registration is available through the Keystone Symposia official website: https://keysym.us/KSDNARep25.