Biology & Genomics of Social Insects
March 30 - April 1, 2021 Virtual
Abstract Deadline: January 22, 2021

Organizers:

Sandra Rehan, York University, Canada
Olav Rueppell, University of Alberta, Canada
Seirian Sumner, University College London, UK


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The current COVID-19 situation is challenging and difficult for all of us - we hope this virtual conference will allow colleagues to share and discuss their latest research, while under travel and stay-at-home restrictions.

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The third Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory meeting on Biology Genomics of Social Insects is going fully virtual and will begin with a late morning (EDT) session on Tuesday March 30 and conclude late afternoon (EDT) on Thursday April 1.

The 2021 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.

DayTime (ESTSession #Session Name
Tuesday 9:30 am - 10:00 pm
Keynote Speaker: Marla Sokolowski
Tuesday 10:00 am - 12:00 pm  1 Genomics of the Social Nervous System
Tuesday 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm
Poster Session*
Tuesday 1:45 pm - 3:45 pm 2 Evolution of Social Genomes
Tuesday 4:00 pm - 5:15 pm 3 Beyond Classic Gene Regulation in Social Insects
Wednesday 9:30 am - 10:00 am
Keynote Speaker: Kenji Matsuura
Wednesday 10:00 pm- 12:00 pm 4 Chemical Ecology and Communication of Social Insects
Wednesday 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm
Poster Session*
Wednesday 1:45 pm - 3:00 pm 5 Genomics of Social Transitions
Wednesday
3:05 pm - 4:15 pm 6 Ecological Genomics of Social Insects
Wednesday 4:20 pm - 5:30 pm 7 Functions of Microbiomes in Social Insects
Thursday 9:30 am - 10:00 pm
Keynote Speaker: Susanne Foitzik
Thursday 10:00 am - 12:00 pm 8 Disease and Stress Interactions Compromising Social Insect Health
Thursday 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm Poster Session*
Thursday 1:45 pm - 3:45 pm 9 Complex Phenotype Genomics in Social Contexts
Thursday 4:00 pm - 5:15 pm 10 Novel Research Methods and their Application to Social Insects
Virtual Icebreaker
Tuesday, 5:30 pm
Discussion Zone
30-minutes following each oral session (open Zoom format)

*Virtual Poster Session will be available for viewing throughout the meeting


Keynote Speakers: 

Marla Sokolowski, University of Toronto
Susanne Foitzik, Johannes Gutenberg University
Kenji Matsuura, Kyoto University

Speakers:

Session 1: Genomics of the Social Nervous System
Session Chair: Clare Rittschof, University of Kentucky

Session 2: Evolution of Social Genomes
Session Chair: Guojie Zhang, University of Copenhagen

Session 3: Beyond Classic Gene Regulation in Social Insects
Session Chair: Michelle FlennikenMontana State University

Session 4: Chemical Ecology and Communication of Social Insects
Session Chair: Etya Amsalem, Pennsylvania State University

Session 5: Genomics of Social Transitions
Session Chair: Ehab AbouheifMcGill University

Session 6: Ecological Genomics of Social Insects
Session Chair: Yannick WurmQueen Mary University of London

Session 7: Functions of Microbiomes in Social Insects
Session Chair: Michael Poulsen, University of Copenhagen

Session 8: Disease and Stress Interactions Compromising Social Insect Health
Session Chair : Marla Spivak, University of Minnesota

Session 9: Complex Phenotype Genomics in Social Contexts
Session Chair: Zila  Simoes, University of Sao Paulo

Session 10: Novel Research Methods and their Application to Social Insects
Session Chair: Robert Waterhouse, University of Lausanne 

All abstracts must be submitted by the abstract deadline, January 22, 2021, and should contain new and unpublished material. Selection of material for oral and poster presentation will be made by the organizers and individual session chairs. Status (talk/poster) of abstracts has been 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. Please apply in writing via email to Alicia Franco and state your financial needs. Preference will be given to those who submit abstracts.

Pricing:

Late Pricing: (applies to registrations submitted after 10:00am EST on Friday, March 26)

Virtual Late Package: $355
Virtual Late Graduate/PhD Student Package: $250
Virtual Late Corporate Package: $475

Deadline to submit for a Lab Discount is Friday, March 26, by 5pm EST

Virtual 3 day live meeting + 6 weeks archive access

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~36 talks / 6 sessions
(late am/early pm)
~18 total hours with interactive Q&A
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~40 posters with
dedicated slack channels for each poster
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Virtual Social Events~
Meet-the-Speakers & Editors
Icebreaker, "Breakout" Social
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Leading Strand video archive access to talks
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Digital program in PDF format

Social Media   

The designated hashtag for this meeting is #cshlinsect. Note that you must obtain permission from an individual presenter before live-tweeting or discussing his/her talk, poster, or research results on social media. Click the Policies tab above to see our full Confidentiality & Reporting Policy.