BIOLOGY & GENOMICS OF SOCIAL INSECTS
May 2 - 5, 2015
Abstract Deadline: February 13, 2015
Organizers
Guy Bloch, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Juergen Gadau, Arizona State University Amy Toth, Iowa State University
We are pleased to announce a special meeting on the Biology and Genomics of Social Insects which will begin at 7:00 pm on Saturday, May 2, 2015 and run through lunch on Tuesday, May 5.
The 2015 meeting will discuss recent advances in social insects, with an emphasis on new findings made possible by the sequencing of the genomes and transcriptomes of dozens of species (ants, bees, wasps, termites). This range allows, for the first time, a convergence of knowledge about the molecular basis and mechanisms of sociality in taxa that evolved sociality independently. Topics of this meeting are comparative and functional genomics of caste determination, division of labor, phenotypic plasticity, learning, physiology and immunity. There will be two special sessions on microbiomes and immunity in social insects with an emphasis on honey bees. The meeting is intended to provide a format for the exchange of ideas and information, to discuss the latest research findings and technical advances, and to facilitate interaction among groups active in diverse systems.
Topics:
*Comparative Genomics of Insect Sociality
*Epigenetics, Gene Regulation, and Social Organization
*Molecular Evolution of Insect Societies
*Neurobiology and Physiology of Social Insects
*Novel Techniques and Bioinformatic Advances and their Applications to Social Insect Biology
*Social Insect Microbiomes and Immunity
Keynote Speakers:
Gene Robinson, University of Illinois
Laurent Keller, University of Lausanne, Switzerland
Judith Korb, University of Freiburg, Germany
Discussion Leaders:
Ehab Abouheif, McGill University, Canada
Jay Evans, USDA
Mike Goodisman, Georgia Tech
Christina Grozinger, Pennsylvania State University
Klaus Hartfelder, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil
Karen Kapheim, Utah State University
Ricarda Scheiner, University of Würzburg, Germany
Amro Zayed, York University, Canada
Guojie Zhang, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
Abstracts should contain only new and unpublished material and must be submitted electronically by the abstract deadline. Selection of material for oral and poster presentation will be made by the organizers and individual session chairs. Status (talk/poster) of abstracts will be posted on our web site as soon as decisions have been made by the organizers.
We are eager to have as many young people as possible attend since they are likely to benefit most from this meeting. We have applied for funds from government and industry to partially support graduate students and postdocs. Apply in writing to Demetria Mudar stating need for financial support - preference is given to those submitting abstracts.
We look forward to seeing you at Cold Spring Harbor in May.
This conference is supported in part by funds provided by: Sociogenomics Research Coordination Network (RCN) and Agriculture & Food Research Initiative's Plant-Associated Insects and Nematodes Program (NIFA/USDA)
Pricing
Academic Package $1,140
Graduate/PhD Student Package $955
Corporate Package $1,445
Academic/Student No-Housing Package $780
Corporate No-Housing Package $975
Regular packages are all inclusive and cover registration, food, housing, parking, wine-and-cheese party, lobster banquet, etc. No Housing packages include all costs except housing. Full payment is due 4 weeks prior to the meeting.
We have funds to provide partial scholarships for individuals who are US citizens/permanent residents from minority groups under-represented in the life sciences. Please provide justification in writing to Demetria Mudar and state your financial needs. Preference will be given to those applying who submit abstracts to the meeting.