Leading the Way in 3D Genomics
The 2025 K4DN Symposium on Frontiers in 3D Genomics: Architecture, Dynamics, and Disease will spotlight the most innovative and impactful research in the rapidly evolving field of 3D genomics. The symposium will explore how genomic architecture and chromatin dynamics intersect with disease mechanisms, reshaping our understanding of cellular function and pathology.
Leading researchers from around the world will share pioneering studies that showcase cutting-edge advancements in single-cell genomics, genome mapping, and chromatin dynamics. These themes are at the forefront of genomic science, providing critical insights into how the spatial organization of the genome influences health and disease.
Expert Speakers
This year’s symposium will feature 27 invited speakers from leading institutions worldwide, presenting cutting-edge research on chromatin complexity, genome spatial organization, and biomolecular condensates. The symposium offers a chance to hear directly from pioneers in the field, providing attendees with valuable insights into the latest research and future directions of 3D genomics.
Prof. Anny Xiaobo Zhou
University of Virginia
Primary Appointment
Professor of Medicine, Internal Medicine
Education
• B.S., Pharm.D, Clinical Pharmacy, Sichuan University
• Ph.D., Cell Biology, Peking Union Medical College
• Post-doc, Virology, Harvard Medical School
Research Disciplines
Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Epigenetics, Molecular Physiology, Translational Science
Research Interests
Genetics, Epigenetics, Lung regeneration, Alveolar stem cells, Live-cell imaging
Professor of Medicine, Internal Medicine
Education
• B.S., Pharm.D, Clinical Pharmacy, Sichuan University
• Ph.D., Cell Biology, Peking Union Medical College
• Post-doc, Virology, Harvard Medical School
Research Disciplines
Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Epigenetics, Molecular Physiology, Translational Science
Research Interests
Genetics, Epigenetics, Lung regeneration, Alveolar stem cells, Live-cell imaging
Prof. Su Chin Heo
University of Pennsylvania
Appointment
Assistant Professor, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
Secondary Appointment, Department of Bioengineering
Education
• B.S., Bioengineering, Inje University (2006)
• M.S., Bioengineering, Inje University (2008)
• Ph.D., Biotechnology, University of Pennsylvania (2015)
Research Focus
Musculoskeletal tissue and cell mechanobiology, Super-resolution imaging, Chromatin structure and dynamics.
Assistant Professor, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
Secondary Appointment, Department of Bioengineering
Education
• B.S., Bioengineering, Inje University (2006)
• M.S., Bioengineering, Inje University (2008)
• Ph.D., Biotechnology, University of Pennsylvania (2015)
Research Focus
Musculoskeletal tissue and cell mechanobiology, Super-resolution imaging, Chromatin structure and dynamics.
Prof. Yu Li
The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Appointment
Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, CUHK
Courtesy Appointment, CUHK Shenzhen Research Institute
Education
• B.S., Biosciences (Honors), USTC (2015)
• M.S., Computer Science, KAUST (2016)
• Ph.D., Computer Science, KAUST (2020)
Research Focus
Artificial intelligence in healthcare, bioinformatics, Structured machine learning, RNA 3D structure prediction, Computational biology for translational science.
Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, CUHK
Courtesy Appointment, CUHK Shenzhen Research Institute
Education
• B.S., Biosciences (Honors), USTC (2015)
• M.S., Computer Science, KAUST (2016)
• Ph.D., Computer Science, KAUST (2020)
Research Focus
Artificial intelligence in healthcare, bioinformatics, Structured machine learning, RNA 3D structure prediction, Computational biology for translational science.
Prof. Quan Zhu
University of California, San Diego
Appointment
Associate Director for Spatial and Functional Genomics at the UCSD Center for Epigenomics
Education
• Ph.D., Microbiology, The University of Texas Austin
Research Focus
Spatial genomics, Cancer genomics, Chromatin biology
Associate Director for Spatial and Functional Genomics at the UCSD Center for Epigenomics
Education
• Ph.D., Microbiology, The University of Texas Austin
Research Focus
Spatial genomics, Cancer genomics, Chromatin biology
Prof. Song Li
UCLA Samueli School of Engineering
Appointment
Chancellor’s Professor, Department of Bioengineering, UCLA
Chair of the Department of Bioengineering, UCLA
Education
• B.S., Mechanics & Engineering Science, Peking University
• M.S., Biomechanics, Peking University
• Ph.D., Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego
Research Focus
Mechanobiology, Bioengineering, Biomaterials
Chancellor’s Professor, Department of Bioengineering, UCLA
Chair of the Department of Bioengineering, UCLA
Education
• B.S., Mechanics & Engineering Science, Peking University
• M.S., Biomechanics, Peking University
• Ph.D., Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego
Research Focus
Mechanobiology, Bioengineering, Biomaterials
Prof. Vivek B. Shenoy
University of Pennsylvania
Appointment
Eduardo D. Glandt President's Distinguished Professor
Professor, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Bioengineering and Mechanical Engineering
Education
• B.E. (Hons.), Electrical Engineering and Physics, Birla Institute of Technology and Science
• M.S., Physics, Ohio State University
• Ph.D., Physics, Ohio State University
Research Focus
Mechanobiology, Biomaterials
Eduardo D. Glandt President's Distinguished Professor
Professor, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Bioengineering and Mechanical Engineering
Education
• B.E. (Hons.), Electrical Engineering and Physics, Birla Institute of Technology and Science
• M.S., Physics, Ohio State University
• Ph.D., Physics, Ohio State University
Research Focus
Mechanobiology, Biomaterials
Dr. Yekaterina (Kate) Miroshnikova
Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine
Appointment
Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine
Education
• B.S., Engineering, Olin College of Engineering
• Ph.D., Bioengineering, University of California San Francisco and Berkeley
Research Focus
Mechanobiology, Genome architecture, Gene expression
Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine
Education
• B.S., Engineering, Olin College of Engineering
• Ph.D., Bioengineering, University of California San Francisco and Berkeley
Research Focus
Mechanobiology, Genome architecture, Gene expression
Dr. Minji Kim
University of Michigan Medical School
Appointment
Assistant Professor, Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan
Education
• B.S., Electrical Engineering & Mathematics, University of California San Diego (UCSD)
• M.S., Ph.D., Electrical Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC)
• Postdoctoral Training, Genomics, The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine (JAX)
Research Focus
Computational biology, Higher-order chromatin interactions; Chromatin dynamics; Cohesin extrusion; Gene regulation
Assistant Professor, Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan
Education
• B.S., Electrical Engineering & Mathematics, University of California San Diego (UCSD)
• M.S., Ph.D., Electrical Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC)
• Postdoctoral Training, Genomics, The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine (JAX)
Research Focus
Computational biology, Higher-order chromatin interactions; Chromatin dynamics; Cohesin extrusion; Gene regulation
Prof. Yijun Ruan, Ph.D.
Zhejiang University
Appointment
Qiushi Chair Professor of Zhejiang University
Chief Investigator of the Life Sciences Institute (LSI) at Zhejiang University
Education
• Ph.D., Molecular biology, University of Maryland
Research Focus
3D genome, Bioinformatics, Gene regulation
Qiushi Chair Professor of Zhejiang University
Chief Investigator of the Life Sciences Institute (LSI) at Zhejiang University
Education
• Ph.D., Molecular biology, University of Maryland
Research Focus
3D genome, Bioinformatics, Gene regulation
Prof. Wei Xie
Tsinghua University
Appointment
Professor, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University
Education
• B.S., Biological Sciences, Peking University
• M.S., Department of Statistics, Laboratory of Ker-Chau Li, UCLA
• Ph.D., Molecular Biology Institute, Laboratory of Michael Grunstein, UCLA
Research Focus
Epigenetic regulation, Differentiation and development, 3D chromatin structure
Professor, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University
Education
• B.S., Biological Sciences, Peking University
• M.S., Department of Statistics, Laboratory of Ker-Chau Li, UCLA
• Ph.D., Molecular Biology Institute, Laboratory of Michael Grunstein, UCLA
Research Focus
Epigenetic regulation, Differentiation and development, 3D chromatin structure
Prof. Jia-Ray Yu
Virginia Tech
Appointment
Assistant Professor, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University
Education
• B.S., Biological Science and Technology, National Chiao Tung University
• Ph.D., Genetics, Stony Brook University
Research Focus
Chromatin regulation, Histone modifying enzymes, Cancer
Assistant Professor, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University
Education
• B.S., Biological Science and Technology, National Chiao Tung University
• Ph.D., Genetics, Stony Brook University
Research Focus
Chromatin regulation, Histone modifying enzymes, Cancer
Prof. Inkyung Jung
KAIST
Appointment
Associate Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, KAIST
Education
• B.S., Biosystems, KAIST
• Ph.D., Bio and Brain engineering, KAIST
Research Focus
Epigenetic gene regulation, 3D genome organization, Single-cell omics
Associate Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, KAIST
Education
• B.S., Biosystems, KAIST
• Ph.D., Bio and Brain engineering, KAIST
Research Focus
Epigenetic gene regulation, 3D genome organization, Single-cell omics
Prof. Chul-Hwan Lee
Seoul National University
Appointment
Associate Professor, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacology, Seoul National University College of Medicine
Education
• B.S., Biological Sciences, KAIST
• Ph.D., in Biological Sciences, KAIST
Research Focus
Spatiotemporal chromatin dynamics, cardiomyocyte differentiation, neurodevelopment, cancer
Associate Professor, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacology, Seoul National University College of Medicine
Education
• B.S., Biological Sciences, KAIST
• Ph.D., in Biological Sciences, KAIST
Research Focus
Spatiotemporal chromatin dynamics, cardiomyocyte differentiation, neurodevelopment, cancer
Prof. Yongdae Shin
Seoul National University
Appointment
Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Interdisciplinary Program in Bioengineering, Seoul National University
Education
• B.S., Department of Mechanical Aerospace Engineering, Seoul National University
• M.S., Ph.D., Department of Mechanical Engineering, MIT
Research Focus
Intracellular phase separation, Molecular & cell mechanobiology, Synthetic bioengineering
Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Interdisciplinary Program in Bioengineering, Seoul National University
Education
• B.S., Department of Mechanical Aerospace Engineering, Seoul National University
• M.S., Ph.D., Department of Mechanical Engineering, MIT
Research Focus
Intracellular phase separation, Molecular & cell mechanobiology, Synthetic bioengineering
Prof. Je-Kyung Ryu
Seoul National University
Appointment
Assistant Professor, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Seoul National University
Education
• B.S., Mathematics (Double major Physics), KAIST
• Ph.D., Physics, KAIST
Research Focus
3D chromatin structure, Epigenetic gene regulation, Single-molecule biophysics
Assistant Professor, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Seoul National University
Education
• B.S., Mathematics (Double major Physics), KAIST
• Ph.D., Physics, KAIST
Research Focus
3D chromatin structure, Epigenetic gene regulation, Single-molecule biophysics
Prof. Sang-Hee Shim
Korea University
Appointment
Professor, Department of Chemistry, Korea University
Education
• B.S., Chemistry, Seoul National University
• M.S., Chemistry, Seoul National University
• Ph.D., Physical chemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison
Research Focus
Super-resolution microscopy, Multiplexed imaging, Chromatin structure, Ultrastructural dynamics of cellular structures
Professor, Department of Chemistry, Korea University
Education
• B.S., Chemistry, Seoul National University
• M.S., Chemistry, Seoul National University
• Ph.D., Physical chemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison
Research Focus
Super-resolution microscopy, Multiplexed imaging, Chromatin structure, Ultrastructural dynamics of cellular structures
Prof. Ji Min Lee
KAIST
Appointment
Associate Professor, Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, KAIST
Education
• B.S., Department of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University
• Ph.D., Department of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University
Research Focus
Epigenetic engineering, Synthetic biology, Tumor microenvironment, Regenerative medicine
Associate Professor, Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, KAIST
Education
• B.S., Department of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University
• Ph.D., Department of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University
Research Focus
Epigenetic engineering, Synthetic biology, Tumor microenvironment, Regenerative medicine
Prof. Minhee Park
KAIST
Appointment
Assistant Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, KAIST
Education
• B.S., Bioengineering, Rice University
• Ph.D., Biomedical Engineering, Boston University
Research Focus
Synthetic biology, Epigenetic regulation, 3D chromatin structure, Super-resolution imaging
Assistant Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, KAIST
Education
• B.S., Bioengineering, Rice University
• Ph.D., Biomedical Engineering, Boston University
Research Focus
Synthetic biology, Epigenetic regulation, 3D chromatin structure, Super-resolution imaging
Prof. Jung-Hwan Lee
Dankook University
Appointment
Associate Professor, Dankook University
Education
• B.S., Dankook University
• Ph.D., Yonsei University
Research Focus
CCell reprograming, ECM-Cell-Nucleus, Mechanotransduction
Associate Professor, Dankook University
Education
• B.S., Dankook University
• Ph.D., Yonsei University
Research Focus
CCell reprograming, ECM-Cell-Nucleus, Mechanotransduction
Prof. Hajin Kim
Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology
Appointment
Associate Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering, UNIST
Education
• B.S., Seoul National University
• M.S., Seoul National University
• Ph.D., Seoul National University
Research Focus
Single molecule biophysics, chromatin dynamics, super-regulation imaging
Associate Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering, UNIST
Education
• B.S., Seoul National University
• M.S., Seoul National University
• Ph.D., Seoul National University
Research Focus
Single molecule biophysics, chromatin dynamics, super-regulation imaging
Prof. Tae-Kyung Kim
Pohang University of Science and Technology
Appointment
Tenured Professor, Department of Life Sciences, POSTECH
Education
• B.S., Korea University
• Ph.D., Rutgers University – Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Research Focus
Epigenomics of brain disorders, Functional dissection and precise manipulation of neural circuits
Tenured Professor, Department of Life Sciences, POSTECH
Education
• B.S., Korea University
• Ph.D., Rutgers University – Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Research Focus
Epigenomics of brain disorders, Functional dissection and precise manipulation of neural circuits
Prof. Wenbo Li
University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
Appointment
Associate Professor, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston CPRIT Scholar, Cancer Prevention Research Institute of Texas
Education
• B.S., Zhejiang University
• M.S., National University of Singapore
• Ph.D., National University of Singapore
• Postdoctoral Training, University of California San Diego
Research Focus
Genomics, epigenomics, bioinformatics, long noncoding RNAs, enhancer RNAs (eRNAs), enhancers, three-dimensional genome architecture, cohesin and condensin, genomic variations/mutations, RNA binding proteins
Associate Professor, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston CPRIT Scholar, Cancer Prevention Research Institute of Texas
Education
• B.S., Zhejiang University
• M.S., National University of Singapore
• Ph.D., National University of Singapore
• Postdoctoral Training, University of California San Diego
Research Focus
Genomics, epigenomics, bioinformatics, long noncoding RNAs, enhancer RNAs (eRNAs), enhancers, three-dimensional genome architecture, cohesin and condensin, genomic variations/mutations, RNA binding proteins
Dr. Jiyeon Choi
National Cancer Institute
Appointment
Earl Stadtman Investigator at the NCI
National Institutes of Health(NIH) Distinguished Scholar
Education
• B.S., Ewha Womans University
• M.S., Korea University
• Ph.D., Rutgers University in New Jersey
• Postdoctoral Training, NCI in the Laboratory of Translational Genomics
Research Focus
Lung cancer genetics and functional genomics
Earl Stadtman Investigator at the NCI
National Institutes of Health(NIH) Distinguished Scholar
Education
• B.S., Ewha Womans University
• M.S., Korea University
• Ph.D., Rutgers University in New Jersey
• Postdoctoral Training, NCI in the Laboratory of Translational Genomics
Research Focus
Lung cancer genetics and functional genomics
Prof. Guohong Li
Wuhan University / Chinese Academy of Sciences
Appointment
Professor, Department Chair, Wuhan University
Principal Investigator, CAS Institute of Biophysics
Education
• B.S., Wuhan University
• M.S., Peking University Health Science Center, China
• Ph.D., Max-Planck-Institute for Cell Biology/Heidelberg University
• Postdoctoral Training, HHMI / UMDNJ and NYU
Research Focus
Epigenetic regulation of chromatin higher-order structures on transcription
Professor, Department Chair, Wuhan University
Principal Investigator, CAS Institute of Biophysics
Education
• B.S., Wuhan University
• M.S., Peking University Health Science Center, China
• Ph.D., Max-Planck-Institute for Cell Biology/Heidelberg University
• Postdoctoral Training, HHMI / UMDNJ and NYU
Research Focus
Epigenetic regulation of chromatin higher-order structures on transcription
Prof. Bogdan Bintu
University of California, San Diego
Appointment
Assistant Professor, Cellular and Molecular Medicine, UCSD
Education
• Ph.D., Harvard University
Research Focus
3D genome structure and single-cell genomics
Assistant Professor, Cellular and Molecular Medicine, UCSD
Education
• Ph.D., Harvard University
Research Focus
3D genome structure and single-cell genomics
Prof. Dong Xing
Peking University
Appointment
Assistant Professor, Peking University
Principal Investigator, Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center (BIOPIC), Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics (ICG)
Education
• Ph.D., Peking University
• Postdoctoral Training, Harvard University
Research Focus
Single-cell genomics and 3D genome
Assistant Professor, Peking University
Principal Investigator, Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center (BIOPIC), Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics (ICG)
Education
• Ph.D., Peking University
• Postdoctoral Training, Harvard University
Research Focus
Single-cell genomics and 3D genome
Prof. Danny Leung
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Appointment
Associate professor, Division of Life Science, HKUST
Director of the HKUST Center for Epigenomics Research
Lead Investigator of Hong Kong Epigenome Project
Associate Director of HKUST-BGI Joint Research Center
Education
• B.S., University College London
• M.S., Imperial College London
• Ph.D., University of British Columbia
• Postdoctoral Training, Ludwig Institute of Cancer Research/University of California San Diego/California Institute for Regenerative Medicine
Research Focus
Cancer genomics, Epigenomics, Epigenetics, Genome biology, Chromatin structure
Associate professor, Division of Life Science, HKUST
Director of the HKUST Center for Epigenomics Research
Lead Investigator of Hong Kong Epigenome Project
Associate Director of HKUST-BGI Joint Research Center
Education
• B.S., University College London
• M.S., Imperial College London
• Ph.D., University of British Columbia
• Postdoctoral Training, Ludwig Institute of Cancer Research/University of California San Diego/California Institute for Regenerative Medicine
Research Focus
Cancer genomics, Epigenomics, Epigenetics, Genome biology, Chromatin structure
Networking and Career Development Opportunities
The K4DN Symposium offers more than just expert insights; it serves as a vital platform for building professional networks. We are committed to encouraging students and postdoctoral researchers to present their work through short talk presentations. These opportunities allow them to showcase their findings, receive constructive feedback, and engage directly with established leaders in the field. We encourage all participants to take full advantage of these sessions to foster collaborations and support career development across diverse scientific disciplines.