Genes Webinar | From Genes to Systems: Genetic and Epigenetic Control of the Metastatic Cascade, 22 January 2026

This webinar will bring together leading researchers to discuss the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms that regulate cancer metastasis across the full metastatic cascade. Speakers will highlight new insights into chromatin remodeling, non-genetic evolution, tumor cell plasticity, metastatic niche formation, circulating tumor cell biology, and dormancy, as well as multi-omics approaches that reveal how these processes interact at a systems level. The session will consist of five short presentations (15 minutes + 5-minute Q&A), emphasizing mechanistic rigor, emerging concepts, and the interplay between tumor-intrinsic programs and the microenvironment. This event accompanies the Special Issue “From Genes to Systems: Genetic and Epigenetic Control of the Metastatic Cascade” in Genes (ISSN: 2073-4425) and aims to foster cross-disciplinary dialogue and inspire high-quality contributions to the field.

Date: 22 January 2026
Time: 3:00 p.m. CET to 5:40 p.m. CET | 9:00 a.m. EST to 11:40 a.m. EST
Register in advance for this webinar at the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/6417677292624/WN_DYpio_DOQn6xh0NOXLz5GA
Webinar ID: 875 9609 0190
Webinar Secretariat: journal.webinar@mdpi.com
Webinar announcement: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/6417677292624/WN_DYpio_DOQn6xh0NOXLz5GA

Program:

Speaker/Presentation	Time in EST	Time in CET
Dr. Eric Rahrmann Chair Introduction	9:00–9:15 a.m.	3:00–3:15 p.m.
Dr. Lucia Borriello Chemotherapy Reshapes the Metastatic Niche to Awaken Dormant Tumor Cells	9:15–9:40 a.m.	3:15–3:40 p.m.
Prof. William Brackenbury Bioelectrical control of breast cancer metastasis by voltage-gated sodium channels	9:40–10:05 a.m.	3:40–4:05 p.m.
Dr. Kaloyan M. Tsanov Organ-specific Effects of SMAD4 in Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer	10:05–10:30 a.m.	4:05–4:30 p.m.
Dr. Heloisa Z. Milioli Androgen Receptor (AR)-mediated Epigenetic Regulation of Cell States in Triple-negative Breast Cancer	10:30–10:55 a.m.	4:30–4:55 p.m.
Dr. Eric Rahrmann Bioelectric Control of Metastasis: The Emerging Role of NALCN	10:55–11:20 a.m.	4:55–5:20 p.m.
Q&A Session	11:20–11:35 a.m.	5:20–5:35 p.m.
Dr. Eric Rahrmann Closing of Webinar	11:35–11:40 a.m.	5:35–5:40 p.m.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information on how to join the webinar. Registrations with academic or institutional email addresses will be prioritized.

Unable to attend? Feel free to register anyway; we will inform you when the recording is available.

Webinar Chair and Keynote Speakers:

Dr. Eric Rahrmann, The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Austin, MN 55912, USA;
Dr. Lucia Borriello, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, New York, United States;
Prof. William Brackenbury, University of York, York, United Kingdom;
Dr. Kaloyan M. Tsanov, The University of Chicago, Chicago, United States;
Dr. Heloisa Z. Milioli, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, Australia.