A Biochemical Society Focused Meeting

Proceedings (invited speakers) will be published in Biochemical Society Transactions

Abstract submission deadline: 14 June 2010

Abstract submission is now open.

Earlybird registration deadline: 16 July 2010

Registration is now open.

Oral communication slots are available at this meeting. All attendees, particularly researchers in the early stages of their career, are invited to submit a poster abstract for consideration as an oral communication.

Student Travel Grants are available for this meeting.

Meeting Background

The archaea constitute a distinct domain of life yet several important aspects of their biochemical processes are closely related to those in eukaryotes. Archaea have therefore been used as a model system for studies on eukaryotes as well as being of very considerable interest in their own right. The adoption of archaeal model systems has shed light on the structure, function and evolution of essential cellular information processing machineries such as those involved in DNA replication, DNA repair and transcription.

Furthermore, many archaea inhabit extreme environments, and the mechanisms of adaptation to these apparently inimical niches are uniquely fascinating and important, with many biotechnological and industrial applications. However, beyond the extremophiles, it is becoming appreciated that archaea are an important and abundant components of the biosphere. This meeting will focus on recent advances in the understanding of archaeal molecular biology and will give a unique perspective on the evolution of eukaryotic information processing pathways as well as shedding light on the diversity of life on the planet.

Topics:

Archaea
Evolution
Transcription
DNA replication
Microbiology
Extremophiles