# 2020 Meiosis Gordon Research Conference and Gordon Research Seminar

> **NIH NIH R13** · GORDON RESEARCH CONFERENCES · 2020 · $10,000

## Abstract

Meiosis is the specialized cell division cycle that gives rise to haploid gametes for sexual reproduction. Given
the conserved nature of many of the distinct events in meiosis, there is a surprising degree of variation in
meiotic regulation across sexually reproducing species. Exploring both these distinct differences and
commonalities is crucial to our understanding of how meiosis is regulated to ensure the production of euploid
gametes. Nowhere is this more important than in our own species, in which defects in meiosis are responsible
for the extremely high rates of infertility, miscarriage, and birth defects, such as Trisomies 18 and 21 (Down
syndrome). Furthermore, the meiotic program encompasses unique molecular processes underlying cell cycle
control and checkpoint activation, DNA repair and recombination, chromatin architecture, chromosome
movements, and gene expression. This immense complexity can inform a wide variety of biological sub-
disciplines, including germ cell biology, DNA repair and cancer, gene regulation and epigenetics, and
chromosome dynamics and spindle assembly, to name a few. Partial support is requested for the premier
international meeting on Meiosis as part of the Gordon Research Conferences (GRC), and the accompanying
trainee-led Meiosis Gordon Research Seminar (GRS), taking place at Colby-Sawyer College in New London,
NH on June 7-12 and June 6-7, 2020, respectively. The goals are: (1) To harness the strength of various
model systems and state-of-the-art technical approaches to shed light on the molecular mechanisms
underpinning meiosis; (2) To identify novel scientific themes and collaborations that can accelerate the pace of
discovery in our field; and (3) To promote an environment of inclusivity and to identify key ingredients for
success of our trainees, our diversity representation, and women. The GRC will gather 180 participants to
present and discuss cutting-edge, mostly unpublished research addressing critical topics in meiosis. The
program comprises 9 plenary sessions that broadly address current issues in the initiation and progression of
meiotic recombination, meiotic progression and cell cycle checkpoints, regulation of meiotic gene expression,
chromosome pairing and synapsis, chromosome dynamics, and chromosome segregation. Four poster
sessions will allow trainees to present their data and to engage in critical discussions about their work with
leaders in the field. An open forum Power Hour will be convened with the aims of addressing the challenges
faced by women in science, and supporting the professional growth of women in our community. The GRS
consists of three plenary and two poster sessions, and will include 60 participants, including several invited
faculty mentors. The GRS provides opportunities for trainees to present their work, to network, and to discuss
the topics that will be covered in more depth during the GRC. Our community enjoys and promotes strong
representation by women, but we will...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9980585
- **Project number:** 1R13HD102047-01
- **Recipient organization:** GORDON RESEARCH CONFERENCES
- **Principal Investigator:** Paula Elaine Cohen
- **Activity code:** R13 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $10,000
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-08-01 → 2022-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9980585

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9980585, 2020 Meiosis Gordon Research Conference and Gordon Research Seminar (1R13HD102047-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9980585. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*