The 16th International Symposium on DNA Damage Response & Human Disease (isDDRHD-2025) was successfully held in Qingdao, China, from October 17 to 20, 2025. Hosted by the State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology at Shandong University, the symposium brought together world-leading experts and young investigators to discuss the latest advances in DNA damage response (DDR), genomic stability, ageing, and cancer. As an Academic Partner, Ageing and Cancer Research & Treatment (ACRT) proudly supported this landmark scientific event.

The symposium was jointly organized by Prof. Xingzhi Xu (Editor-in-Chief of ACRT, Shenzhen University) and Academician Zhao-Qi Wang (Advisory Editor of ACRT, Shandong University), both internationally recognized for their groundbreaking work in DNA damage and genome maintenance research.

isDDRHD-2025 featured a dynamic scientific program covering four themes：
• DNA Damage and Repair
• DNA Replication Stress
• DDR in Human Diseases
• DNA Repair Mechanisms

Throughout the symposium, speakers delivered insightful presentations, sharing the latest research findings and academic perspectives in the field. The on-site discussions were lively, with frequent sparks of ideas, fully reflecting the vibrant vitality of DNA damage response research.

During the symposium, the ACRT editorial team engaged in extensive discussions with Editorial Board Members and international researchers on the journal’s development and future directions.

Prominent scholars such as Prof. Stephen West (International Member of the National Academy of Sciences, European Academy of Sciences, and Fellow of the Royal Society) and Prof. Stephen C. Kowalczykowski (Member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences) visited the ACRT booth, where they shared valuable insights and expressed their support for the journal’s mission.

Prof. Stephen West - Member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, Member of the European Academy of Sciences, and a Fellow of the Royal Society - with the ACRT’s team at the booth.

Prof. Stephen C. Kowalczykowski, Member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, with ACRT's Managing Editor at the booth.

We extend our sincere gratitude to Prof. Xingzhi Xu (Editor-in-Chief of ACRT), Academician Zhao-Qi Wang (Advisory Editor of ACRT), and Prof. Zhenkun Lou (Associate Editor of ACRT). They took the valuable opportunity at the symposium to strongly introduce ACRT to the gathered scholars, for which we are deeply thankful.

To recognize and encourage young scientific talent, ACRT sponsored the “Best Poster Awards” at isDDRHD-2025. During the award ceremony, Academician Zhao-Qi Wang, Symposium Co-organizer, together with Rachel, Managing Editor of ACRT, presented the awards to outstanding young researchers.

The award-winning posters showcased creative thinking and high-impact research in DNA damage and human disease, highlighting ACRT’s ongoing commitment to fostering innovation and excellence among early-career scientists.

The successful conclusion of isDDRHD-2025 marked another milestone in strengthening global collaboration and innovation in DNA damage and cancer research.

ACRT remains dedicated to its mission to build an open, global, and forward-looking platform that connects ageing and cancer research.