Transcriptional regulation by chromatin and RNA polymerase
Sept. 26–30, 2024
Westin Alexandria Old Town, Alexandria, Va.
The fields of transcription biochemistry and molecular biology have become one with chromatin biology and epigenetics with extensive cross-talk. RNA polymerase II and its transcription machinery play an essential role in the modification and remodeling of chromatin; and chromatin regulates gene expression in both normal and pathological conditions. With recent innovations and technological advances in clinical and preclinical research, personalized medicine is becoming a reality, in part because of advances in our understanding of RNA polymerase II. Given this fact, many established and new investigators have taken on the challenge of elucidating the molecular mechanisms of gene expression by RNA polymerase II in the context of chromatin. The community is highly dynamic and multidisciplinary, with an ever-changing set of focal areas that establish new paradigms and new ways of thinking about the topic. Even after decades of study, this research area continues to advance, reveal new concepts, and bolsters almost every other area of biology.
Important dates
| July 10 | Abstract submission deadline for oral consideration * Authors must register at the time of abstract submission. |
|---|---|
| Aug. 1 | Early registration deadline |
| Aug. 16 | Abstract submission deadline for poster consideration only * Authors must register at the time of abstract submission. |
| Aug. 26 | Regular registration deadline |
Important presentation requirements
- Registration is required at the time of abstract submission.
- Abstract submission does not guarantee registration and/or availability of hotel accommodations.
- Rooms will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis and availability. We strongly advise you to submit your registration as soon as possible to secure your space.
- All speakers and poster presenters are required to present in person at the scheduled date and time of their session.
Organizers
Interview
More than just omics
Meet the three co-organizers of an intimate meeting that focuses on transcription from all angles.
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Conference information
- The conference will be held at the Westin Alexandria Old Town, located at 400 Courthouse Square, Alexandria, VA.
- Do not contact the hotel directly to book a room. Accommodations must be selected during the conference registration process.
- The conference begins Thursday, Sept. 26, at 7 p.m. and concludes Sunday, Sept. 29, around 10 p.m. Attendees will have a free afternoon on Saturday, Sept. 28.
JBC virtual issue
Transcriptional regulation by chromatin and RNA polymerase
A selection of ten recently published articles from the Journal of Biological Chemistry, showcasing the latest advancements and developments in this captivating research field.
Sponsors
What’s included
The full conference package includes:
- Lodging at The Westin Alexandria Old Town, with checkin on Sept. 26 and checkout on Sept. 30.
- Lodging can be single or double occupancy.
- All sessions, poster sessions and meeting materials.
- The following meals are included in your registration fee:
- Friday, Sept. 27: Breakfast, lunch
- Saturday, Sept. 28: Breakfast
- Sunday, Sept. 29: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
NOTE: Lodging is not included in commuter registration rates.
Registration changes
Registration changes will be accepted as space allows until Aug. 26, 2024, and can be made by contacting meetings@asbmb.org.Cancellation policy
Cancellations received in writing on or before Aug. 26, 2024 are subject to a $100 processing fee. No refunds will be issued for cancellations after Aug. 26 due to final guarantee commitments. Email meetings@asbmb.org and attach a copy of your meeting registration receipt/paid invoice to cancel your registration.Meeting location
The Westin Alexandria Old Town
400 Courthouse Square,
Alexandria, VA 22314
USA
Getting to The Westin Alexandria Old Town
- Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) – 4.4 miles
- Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) – 32.5 miles
- Baltimore–Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) – 45.2 miles
Airport transportation
- SuperShuttle
- Uber/Lyft/Rideshare
- The closest metro stations to the conference location are King St-Old Town on the Blue and Yellow Lines (0.4 miles away from the Westin) and Eisenhower Avenue on the Yellow Line (0.4 miles away from the Westin).
Parking
Valet parking is available at The Westin Alexandria Old Town for $40 a night.
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.
All visitors traveling to the U.S. from visa waiver countries must meet all requirements of the program. Find more information on the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) and a list of visa waiver countries.
Health and 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.
Program schedule
Thursday September 26
Friday September 27
Saturday September 28
Sunday September 29
Thursday agenda
Badge pickup
Opening remarks
Keynote I
Ultra-long-range enhancer–promoter interactions in the Drosophila embryo and brain
Mike Levine, Princeton University
Session I: Transcription factors and enhancers
The tail wagging the dog: Function of the p53 IDR in target gene selection
Peter Verrijzer, Erasmus University Medical Center
Genome-wide relationship of TF binding and the rotational and translational setting of nucleosomes
Frank Pugh, Cornell University
Histone chaperones coupled to DNA replication and transcription control divergent chromatin elements to safeguard cell identity
Reuben Franklin, University of California, Riverside
DNA-guided transcription factor cooperativity shapes face and limb mesenchyme
Seungsoo Kim, Stanford University
Widespread impact of nucleosome remodelers on transcription at cis-regulatory elements
Sarah Hainer, University of Pittsburgh
Unexpected properties and genome-wide functions of DNA sequence-specific transcription factors
Steve Hahn, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
Welcome networking reception
Friday agenda
Badge pickup
Session II: Structure and function of transcription complexes
Visualizing the dynamic nature of promoter proximal pausing
Seychelle Vos, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Structures of mitochondrial transcription initiation machines at work
Quinten Goovaerts, Rega Institute for Medical Research
RNA-mediated regulation of the histone methyltransferase PRC2 involve PRC2 dimerization
Vignesh Kasinath, University of Colorado, Boulder
Widespread epistasis shapes the RNA polymerase II active site
Craig Kaplan, University of Pittsburgh
Integration of pol I and pol III subunit RPAC1 into pol II drives m2,2G mRNA
Xiong Ji, Peking University
Coffee break
Session III: Transcription regulation from 5'-ends to 3'-ends
A conserved interaction between Chd1 and the Paf1 complex controls Chd1 distribution and nucleosome positioning on active genes
Karen Arndt, University of Pittsburgh
Thr4 phosphorylation primes Ser2 phosphorylation on RNA polymerase II and mediates regulation in 3’-end processing
Y. Jessie Zhang, University of Texas at Austin
Coordinate control of the RNA polymerase II transcription cycle by CDK9-dependent, tripartite phosphorylation of SPT5
Robert Fisher, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Regulation of promoter–proximal pause release and transcription elongation
Jesper Svejstrup, University of Copenhagen
KAP1 negatively regulates RNA polymerase II elongation kinetics to activate signal-induced transcription
Iván D'Orso, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Session IV: Chromatin, genome architecture and remodelers
RNA polymerases reshape chromatin architecture and couple transcription on individual fibers
Stirling Churchman, Harvard Medical School
TASOR expression in naive embryonic stem cells safeguards their developmental potential
Laura Banaszynski, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Cohesin mutations expose repressive role of 3D polycomb loops
Oliver Bell, University of Southern California
Regulation of cell identity by 3D super-enhancers
Brian Abraham, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
SETD2-CDK1 cooperation during G2/M ensures nuclear lamina integrity and genome stability
Brian Strahl, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chromatin remodeling rewires transcription networks in glioblastoma
Xueqin Sherine Sun, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute
Coffee break
Session V: Transcription dynamics, condensates and imaging
ATP-dependent remodeling of chromatin condensates uncovers distinct mesoscale effects of two remodelers
Geeta Narlikar, University of California, San Francisco
Gain-of-function RNA polymerase II partitioning is a shared feature of diverse oncogenic fusions
Heankel Lyons, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Transcriptional activation domains function as amphiphilic hydrophobic-acidic surfactants
Alexandre Erkine, Butler University
Histone acetylation readers Bdf1 and Yaf9 mediate a two-step targeting mechanism of the SWR1 remodeler for H2A.Z deposition at the +1 nucleosome
Anand Ranjan, Johns Hopkins University
The role of histone variants in epigenetic regulation of transcription
Yamini Dalal, National Cancer Institute
Chromatin and nuclear receptor single molecule dynamics and gene regulation in vivo
Diana Stavreva, National Cancer Institute
Explore Alexandria free time
Poster session I
Saturday agenda
Badge pickup
Sunrise session
NSF funding opportunities in molecular and cellular biosciences
Manju Hingorani, National Science Foundation
Session VI: Chromatin, genome architecture and remodelers
Dissection of the molecular architecture and regulatory mechanisms of a robust long-range enhancer at its native locus
John Lis, Cornell University
Enhancer regulation by H3K4me1 methyltransferases
Kai Ge, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
CRISPR-engineered mutations and MERFISH single cell spatial transcriptomics reveal the disease mechanism critical for facioscapulohumeral dystrophy
Kyoko Yokomori, University of California, Irvine
Auto-inhibition imposed by a large conformational switch of INO80 regulates nucleosome positioning
Upneet Kaur, University of California, San Francisco
The role of RNA in regulating DNA topological stress intrinsic to RNA polymerase II-dependent transcription RNA
Shannon Lauberth, Northwestern University
Coffee break
Session VII: Transcription dynamics, condensates and imaging
Super-resolution imaging of transcription in living cells
Ibrahim Cissé, Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics
Scaling laws of human transcriptional activity
Jiayin Hong, University of Cambridge
Single molecule microscopy reveals unexpected features of RNApII transcription
Stephen Buratowski, Harvard Medical School
A real-time in vitro fluorescence transcription assay (RIFT) uncovers basic mechanistic insights about RNA polymerase II activation
Dylan Taatjes, University of Colorado, Boulder
Unraveling crosstalk between histone acetylation and gene activation in living cells
Timothy Stasevich, Colorado State University
Single-molecule imaging studies of chromatin and transcription proteins in live cells and in vitro
Carl Wu, Johns Hopkins University
Free afternoon
Poster session II
Sunday agenda
Badge pickup
Keynote II
The rapidly expanding histone universe
Karolin Luger, University of Colorado, Boulder
Session VIII: Structure and function of transcription complexes
Structural basis of histone mark deposition by SETD2 on upstream nucleosomes
Lucas Farnung, Harvard Medical School
Structure of the Hir histone chaperone complex
Kenji Murakami, University of Pennsylvania
The Cdk8 kinase module of Mediator: When order and disorder go hand in hand
Francois Robert, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montreal
Structure of the human CDK8 kinase module and its complex with Mediator
Kuang-Lei Tsai, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
Coffee break
Session IX: Transcription, signaling and DNA repair
Molecular and genomic mechanisms of estrogen signaling, enhancer formation and gene regulation
W. Lee Kraus, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Novel interactions within a heterochromatin complex potentiate inter-subunit communication and gene repression
Aaron Johnson, University of Colorado School of Medicine
Understand the dual-role transcription elongation factors in transcription and repair
Dong Wang, University of California, San Diego
Pol II subunit RPB9 interacts with U2AF1 to facilitate exon definition during co-transcriptional pre-mRNA splicing
Xiang-Dong Fu, Westlake University
Session X: Transcription factors and enhancers
The dynamic nature of H3K9me3-heterochromatin in mammalian cells
Ken Zaret, University of Pennsylvania
Mechanism of nucleosome invasion by transcription factors
Lu Bai, Pennsylvania State University
Regulators of pioneer–factor binding and activity
Melissa Harrison, University of Wisconsin–Madison
Development of a standards-driven genomic mapping platform to measure acute Pol II response dynamics
Bryan Venters, EpiCypher Inc.
Transcriptional activation by enhancers
Dan Larson, National Cancer Institute
Coffee break
Session XI: Transcription regulation from 5'-ends to 3'-ends
Co-transcriptional regulation of transient RNA structures by helicases during eukaryotic gene expression
Karla Neugebauer, Yale University
GATO-Seq uncovers RNA polymerase II promoter–proximal pausing dynamics
Roberto Vazquez Nunez, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Transcription and the mechanism of somatic hypermutation
David Schatz, Yale School of Medicine
Regulation of gene expression and neuronal differentiation by SPOC domain proteins
Dea Slade, Medical University of Vienna
Variation of C-terminal domain governs RNA polymerase II genomic locations and alternative splicing in eukaryotic transcription
Qian Zhang, University of Texas at Austin
Targeting CDK7 function in the RNA polymerase II transcription cycle in inflammatory arthritis
Inez Rogatsky, Weill Cornell Medical College
Poster prize winners & oral presentations
Poster prize sponsored by Epicypher