The participating groups of the doctoral programme “Functional Organization of the Cell Nucleus” (Initiativkolleg, IK) work on different aspects of the biology of the nucleus. The research fields covered by the IK members include the topics of chromosome pairing and segregation, chromatin structure and dynamics, histone modification, nuclear architecture, nuclear trafficking, signal transduction, nuclear protein modification (e.g. by SUMO, ubiquitin), general transcription machinery and gene expression. In addition to different aspects of the biology of the nucleus, the IK teams use a variety of model organisms (i.e. M. musculus, S. cerevisiae, S. pombe, C. elegans, A. thaliana) exploring conserved as well as diverse features of the nuclear organization.

The PhD students of the “IK Cell Nucleus” are given the opportunity to organize this exciting symposium entitled “Meeting, Pairing and Propagating - The Molecular Biology of Sexual Reproduction”. The main goal of our conference is to provide the opportunity of learning more about the latest developments in this field and to bring together experienced scientists with young researchers. We will hear recent and exciting news about evolution of sexual reproduction, meiosis and also related diseases and wish all speakers and participants captivating lectures followed by stimulating discussions.