Project Summary/Abstract This application seeks partial support for the Federation of American Societies of Experimental Biology (FASEB) Summer Research Conference (SRC) on Genetic Recombination and Genome Rearrangements, to be held August 14-19, 2022 in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. This will be the 19th in a series of highly successful biennial conferences devoted to these topics. This conference aims to bring together diverse investigators studying broad aspects of genetic recombination, in a range of biological systems and using different experimental approaches. Presentations will describe cutting-edge unpublished work on timely questions in the field and will foster discussions among diverse groups of participants at all career stages. This FASEB conference will provide unique opportunities for the open exchange of data and technological innovations that can be assimilated and exploited across the entire field. The topics of Genetic Recombination and Genome Rearrangements cover many areas directly relevant for cancer. Homologous recombination is essential to limit genome rearrangements that promote the oncogenic state, and many factors involved recombination and its regulation are tumor suppressors. Hence, studies of recombination are paramount to understanding cancer etiology, to developing much needed biomarkers, and to identifying new tumor suppressors. In addition, systemic or localized DNA damage induced by chemotherapy or radiation remains a major mode of cancer treatment. Recombination is a major pathway for the repair of the DNA double-strand breaks and interstrand crosslinks that result from these therapies. Therefore, understanding the regulation and mechanism of recombination will inform novel and more efficacious strategies of cancer therapy. The FASEB conference brings together investigators from diverse disciplines, including biochemistry, biophysics, genetics, genomics, and cell biology, that cover all aspects of recombination. Key topics to be covered in 2022 include (i) the molecular mechanisms that underpin each step in the recombination reaction, (ii) meiotic recombination, (iii) telomere dynamics, (iv) genome rearrangements that occur during the development of cancer, (v) the relationships between RNA metabolism and recombination, (vi) repair of replicated-associated DNA lesions, (vii) the influence of chromatin structure on recombination, and (viii) DNA damage signaling. Special emphasis on these topics is reflected in our initial speaker invitations. In addition, 21 plenary session talks (about one- third of the total) will be selected from abstracts with an emphasis on late-breaking advances from underrepresented and early-stage scientists. A number of innovations to the conference plan and program aim to further enhance participation, interaction, exchange and discussion among a diverse group of participants; and increase the exposure of younger scientists. In sum, the FASEB SRC on Genetic Recombination and Genome Rea...