Maintenance of the information embedded in the genomic DNA sequence is crucial for the survival of any living species. DNA polymerases play pivotal roles in these complex processes since they are involved in all DNA synthesis occurring in Nature. Besides the essential tasks in vivo, DNA polymerases are the workhorses in numerous important biotechniques such as the widely applied polymerase chain reaction (PCR), cDNA cloning, genome sequencing, nucleic acids based diagnostics and in techniques to analyse ancient and otherwise damaged DNA. Due to the analysis of various genomes, including from human we have witnessed the discovery of a plethora of novel DNA polymerases with specialized properties whose physiological functions are only at the beginning to be understood.

While the scientific community tries to understand their functional roles in vivo, Chemical Biology, on the other hand, developed several new approaches to study and manipulate DNA polymerases.The goal of this symposium at Monte Verita is to advance the understanding of several aspects of DNA polymerases by fostering an open and trans-disciplinary dialogue at the intersection of Chemistry, Biotechnology, Biology and Biochemistry.