Evolution and core processes in gene expression

June 26–29, 2025
Stowers Institute, Kansas City, Mo.

• View the program schedule
• Register
• Submit an abstract

The evolution of organismal diversity and the mechanisms of gene expression are mutually dependent processes. Evolutionary processes operate at the level of gene expression, especially at the level of cis-regulatory sequences, as such changes are expected to be less pleiotropic than changes at the protein level. Conversely, cis-regulatory variation is an important component in the study of gene regulation, and identifying cis-regulatory changes that alter gene expression is key to identifying causal variants underlying human diseases.

To examine these interlinked phenomena, the meeting has an interdisciplinary focus, ranging from the fundamental mechanisms of the cis-regulatory code to the phenotypic consequences in development and evolution. Previous meetings have emphasized population and organismal level evolutionary biology, cutting-edge genomics technology and deep learning.

This year’s program adds synthetic biology as a “bottom up” dimension to these “reverse engineering” approaches as another way of studying basic mechanisms underlying gene regulation and how it evolves. The meeting will bring fresh perspectives from experts in different fields to obtain a deeper understanding of core life processes from a gene expression, developmental, and evolutionary perspective. 

Important dates

Speakers

• Stein Aerts, KU Leuven
• Nadav Ahituv, University of California, San Francisco
• Detlev Arendt, EMBL Heidelberg
• Žiga Avsec, DeepMind London
• Lu Bai, Pennsylvania State University
• Matthew Bennett, Rice University
• Justin Crocker, EMBL Heidelberg
• Polly Fordyce, Stanford University
• Emily Hodges, Vanderbilt University
• Kamena Kostova, Stowers Institute for Medical Research
• Anshul Kundaje, Stanford University
• Grace Y.C. Lee, University of California, Irvine
• Dario Lupianez, Andalusian Center for Development Biology
• Ameya Mashruwala, Stowers Institute for Medical Research
• Matt Maurano, New York University
• Heather Marlow, University of Chicago
• Joel McManus, Carnegie Mellon University
• Neşet Özel, Stowers Institute for Medical Research
• Christine Queitsch, University of Washington
• Arjun Raj, University of Pennsylvania
• Steven Reilly, Yale University
• Ahilya Sawh, University of Toronto
• Jianrong Wang, Michigan State University
• Corey Wilson, Georgia Institute of Technology

Location

The conference will be held at The Stowers Institute for Medical Research, 1000 East 50^th Street, Kansas City, MO 64110.

Health & Safety

Mask-wearing and other health and safety measures will be determined based on local, state and venue guidelines and will be communicated to attendees prior to the conference.

Visas

All individuals traveling from outside of the United States should apply for a visa as soon as possible and at least four to five months prior to their date of travel.

• The most up-to-date information about traveling to the U.S. can be found at the U.S. State Department website.
• Scientists visiting the U.S. may find helpful information at the National Academies of Sciences website.
• Find visa appointment wait times here.

Please do not wait until you receive your registration confirmation before applying for a visa. We encourage you to apply for your visa right away if you are considering attending to avoid delays and longer than anticipated wait times.

If you need a letter of invitation for your visa process, please email meetings@asbmb.org.

• Please include ‘LETTER OF INVITATION’ as the subject line of this email.
• Body of email must include:
  • Your name as it appears on your passport
  • Your affiliation and mailing address
  • Best contact number and email address

Abstracts

Abstracts will be reviewed and selected for short talks. Those not selected may be programmed as posters.

Submit abstract

Abstract submission guidelines

• Abstract title field allows 200 characters maximum.
• Abstract body field allows for 350 words maximum (not including authors and affiliations).
• Text may be typed or copied and pasted into the abstract title and body fields.

Presentation requirement

All speakers and poster presenters are required to present in person at the scheduled date and time of their sessions. Registration is required at the time of abstract submission. Abstract submission does not guarantee registration.

How to submit an abstract

ASBMB members

1. Click “Submit Abstract" button.
2. Enter the email address associated with your ASBMB member profile. (Don't remember the email associated with your member record? Contact membership@asbmb.org before proceeding.)
3. Once your email address is validated by the system, enter the password associated with your ASBMB member profile. (Don't remember your password? Click "Forgot your password?" to have your password emailed to you. Check your junk mail and spam filter if you do not see the reminder email in your inbox.)
4. Do NOT create a new profile if you do not remember either the email address or the password associated with your ASBMB membership account. Contact membership@asbmb.org and request this information prior to submitting.
5. Select the, "Submit and Continue" button at the bottom of the page.
6. Select the "Submit Abstract" button to enter your abstract submission.

Non-members

1. Click “Submit Abstract" button.
2. Click the "Create an ASBMB Account" button to set up your user profile.
3. Complete the profile fields and select the, "Submit and Continue" button at the bottom of the page.
4. Select the "Submit Abstract" button to enter your abstract submission.

Registration

ASBMB members will receive a $50 discount on their registration fee which will be applied during checkout. Not a member? Join ASBMB and save!

NOTE: Registration is on a first come, first served basis and will remain open until capacity is reached. This may mean that the conference registration closes before the officially posted registration deadline. To secure your spot at the conference, we encourage you to register early.

What’s included

• All sessions, poster sessions and meeting materials for the Evolution and core processes in gene expression conference

• Lodging for 3 nights (arriving on June 26, departing on June 29) at the Kansas City Marriott Country Club Plaza
  • Lodging can be single or double occupancy.
• The following meals are included in your registration fee:
  • Daily refreshment breaks
  • Lunch on June 28 & 29

Note: Lodging is not included in the commuter rates.

Registration changes

Registration changes will be accepted as space allows until June 3, 2025, and can be made by contacting meetings@asbmb.org.

Cancellation policy

Cancellations received in writing on or before June 3, 2025, are subject to a $100 processing fee. No refunds will be issued for cancellations after June 3 due to final guarantee commitments. Email meetings@asbmb.org and attach a copy of your meeting registration receipt/paid invoice to cancel your registration.