Chromatin-Based Regulation of Development

The field of developmental biology has often intersected with the exploration of gene regulatory mechanisms. Indeed, much of our knowledge of the mechanisms of embryonic development stems from the analysis of the function of transcriptional regulators, including modulators of chromatin. Conversely, classic discoveries in chromatin-level regulation of gene expression have arisen from developmental models. This workshop takes advantage of the pace of innovation and discovery in the field of chromatin biology, and its potential for revealing exciting new insights into developmental processes. From genome-scale regulation of histones to three-dimensional folding of chromatin, recent years have seen an explosion of discovery, some of which has been in a developmental setting. Furthermore, progress in quantitative imaging and single-cell genomic approaches provided first glimpses into kinetics and heterogeneity underlying developmental gene regulation. This workshop brings together scientists who can or would like to bridge chromatin-level gene regulation, quantitative approaches and developmental biology.

The workshop will foster an open discussion of what mechanisms related to chromatin biology are informing developmental processes, and will explore what concrete plans could be developed to integrate unsolved developmental questions with exciting new avenues in chromatin biology. In turn, we will discuss which outstanding questions in gene regulation might be best revealed in the context of dynamic cell fate transitions. Ultimately, we hope to promote scientific interactions that will open up new approaches to both fields, via collaborations or cross-pollination of techniques, knowledge, and data types.