There has been tremendous progress in the past few years regarding our understanding of DNA replication in eukaryotes. Many important questions in the field are poised to be answered within the next decade. These include understanding DNA replication at the biochemical and protein three-dimensional structure levels, how origin firing is controlled in space and time and how DNA replication is coordinated with other processes, such as chromatin assembly, epigenome maintenance, transcription and chromosome segregation. Accurate DNA replication is important for genomic stability and several human diseases, most notably cancer, have been linked to DNA replication stress. Thus, a better understanding of how cells respond to DNA replication stress will help us understand disease development and responses to therapy. By bringing together experts in the basic biology of DNA replication and DNA replication stress, this symposium aims to fuel further progress in these important fields.