Because DNA is constantly being attacked by endogenous and environmental agents, life has evolved systems to detect DNA damage, signal its presence and mediate its repair. Defects in these systems cause many human pathologies, including cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, immune-deficiencies, infertility, developmental defects and premature ageing. Understanding how DNA damage arises and how it is dealt with by cells and organisms is therefore of high academic and medical importance. Recent discoveries have indicated that DNA-damage responses are more complex, and impact on a wider range of cellular functions, than had been hitherto anticipated. Unlike other “DNA damage oriented” conferences, which tend to focus heavily on specific areas of the field, this conference will bring together researchers investigating how DNA damage is dealt with at the molecular, cellular and whole-organism levels. Furthermore, in addition to addressing already well-studied – but as yet incompletely understood – links between DNA-damage responses and events such as cell cycle progression, DNA replication and the control of telomere structure, the meeting will forge new scientific links by also featuring researchers studying complementary areas of science such as the Ubiquitin system, chromatin, transcription and RNA metabolism. Thus, the program will nurture cutting-edge research and exciting new collaborations between junior and more established scientists in diverse fields. Finally, by also featuring researchers working in clinical and drug discovery settings, the conference will foster research aimed at translating new knowledge of DNA-damage responses towards understanding and better diagnosing and treating human disease, particularly cancer and other age-related medical conditions.