About GMIA
The Genome Maintenance Investigators Association (GMIA) is a nonprofit scientific organization dedicated to advancing research, education, collaboration, and scientific exchange in genome maintenance and genome stability research. GMIA welcomes investigators, trainees, and other scientists worldwide who share an interest in understanding how genome integrity is maintained and how defects in these processes contribute to human diseases. The Association provides an open and collaborative platform connecting scientists across institutions, disciplines, geographic regions, and career stages.
Mission
To connect and support investigators in genome maintenance, advance scientific discovery and collaboration, foster the next generation of scientists, and promote the translation of genome biology discoveries toward improving human health.
Vision
A vibrant and collaborative international community in which scientists work together to understand the fundamental mechanisms that safeguard genome integrity and translate these discoveries into new approaches to understanding, preventing, diagnosing, and treating human disease.
Scientific scope
GMIA supports research and scientific exchange across the broad spectrum of genome maintenance, including:
- DNA repair pathways
- DNA damage response
- DNA replication and replication stress
- Chromosome stability
- Chromatin biology and genome organization
- Telomere biology
- Epigenetic regulation
- RNA biology and genome maintenance
- Mutagenesis and genome evolution
- Genome editing and engineering
- Aging and cellular senescence
- Cancer biology
- Genetic disorders associated with genome instability
- Translation of genome stability research into diagnostics and therapeutic targeting
- Drug discovery
Guiding principles
Scientific Excellence
Promote rigorous, innovative, and impactful research.
Collaboration
Encourage the open exchange of ideas and development of scientific partnerships.
Mentorship
Support trainees and early-career scientists and help cultivate future leaders.
Inclusiveness
Welcome scientists across backgrounds, institutions, disciplines, and career stages.
Education
Promote learning and engagement of high school students through established investigators.
Service
Build an organization that serves the needs of the genome maintenance research community.
Founding community
GMIA was founded in 2026 by a group of investigators including Li Lan, Bing Xia, Zhenkun Lou and Huadong Pei, who envisioned a sustained platform for scientific exchange, collaboration, and community building. GMIA traces its roots to the Division of Genome Maintenance (DGM) of the Society of Chinese Bioscientists in America (SCBA), with its founding community drawn substantially from investigators affiliated with both SCBA and the Chinese Biological Investigators Society (CBIS). While recognizing these community roots, GMIA is intended to develop as an independent, inclusive, and international scientific organization, open to all investigators working in the broad field of genome maintenance and its roles in human disease.
