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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.
| Day | Time (EST) | Session # | 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 |
|
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30-minutes following each oral session (open Zoom format)
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*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 Flenniken, Montana 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 Abouheif, McGill University
Session 6: Ecological Genomics of Social Insects
Session Chair: Yannick Wurm, Queen 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
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.