Chromosomes are arguabely one of the most important structures inside cells. Several meters of DNA are compacted into micrometer-sized assemblies in every human cell. Recent advances in our understanding of how this is achieved, and of its implications on nuclear functions, have been breathtaking. Instead of black boxes, or imaginary text-book style folding models, advanced imaging and genomics techniques have layed the foundation for the first well-informed molecular models of chromsomes. These portray chromosomes as largley self-organising entities of nucleosome-melts, organised by the universal SMC complexes and additional chromosomal proteins. Recent work culminated in the biochemical reconstitution of chromosome formation from defined components (Hirano).

This Symposium would put the spotlight on the biochemical and biophysical composition and architecture of chromosomes. It would go from single molecule observation of the constituent proteins, via systems level approaches to understand behaviour of entire chromosomes, up to discussion of human disease mechanisms, caused by mutations in chromosomal constituents.