The Oxford branch of the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research will host the next annual A to Z conference, exploring Alternative Nucleic Acid Conformations in Health and Disease. The international scientific meeting is taking place from 28 September to 2 October 2026 at Worcester College, University of Oxford, and we are currently welcoming researchers to register and submit abstracts.
About the conference
Recent advances have demonstrated that DNA and RNA regulate cellular processes not only through sequence, but also through their ability to adopt alternative structural conformations. These non-canonical structures – including Z-DNA, Z-RNA, R-loops, triplexes and G-quadruplexes – play important roles in genome regulation, genome stability, innate immunity, ageing, and disease. However, research in this area has often developed across disconnected biological contexts and disciplines.
The conference aims to bring together researchers working on diverse nucleic acid structures, with a focus on shared biological mechanisms rather than individual molecular forms, in order to share discoveries, technologies, and advances in the field.
The scientific programme will feature keynote lectures by internationally recognised leaders, invited talks, and a substantial number of short talks and flash talks selected from submitted abstracts, whilst poster sessions and a strong social programme will provide collaboration and networking opportunities.
“By focusing on common biological processes, this meeting aims to unify the field and stimulate new interdisciplinary collaborations,” said Dr Parinaz Mehdipour, lead conference organiser and group leader at the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research.
Further details, including registration and abstract submission details, are available on the conference website.