Abstract
Ionizing radiation causes DNA double strand breaks, which disorganize higher-order chromatin architecture. ATM, a critical player in DNA damage checkpoint, is now recognized as a molecular sensor for detecting chromatin structural abnormality. Upon activation, ATM elicits DNA damage signal transduction leading to several modifications of histones, such as phosphorylation, ubiquitination and sumoylation, which further promote alterations in high-order chromatin structure. The aim of this international symposium is to uncover the effects of radiation on genome architecture at a molecular level and to understand a starring role of chromatin structure in triggering DNA damage response.
