Venue information

This Biochemical Society Focused meeting is to be held at University of St Andrews. St Andrews is situated on the east coast of Scotland, 50 miles north of Edinburgh and 13 miles south of Dundee. The university has been here for nearly 600 years. The origins of the town date from the sixth century. St Andrews has a population of 14,000. Its coastal location gives a dry, sunny, breezy climate.

Please note that in the lecture theatres there will be no arm rests or writing desks attached to the chairs.

Further information about St Andrews or the University is available at:

Discover St Andrews
University of St Andrews

The full address of the venue is:

 

The Gateway Building

University of St Andrews
North Haugh

St Andrews
Fife KY16 9ST
UK
 

St Andrews

St Andrews holds a special place in Scotland's history. It takes its name from the Apostle whose relics, legend tells us, were brought to this place in antiquity by St Rule. Scotland later adopted St Andrew as her patron saint and took his saltire cross for her flag. Before the Reformation, the town was the centre of religious life in medieval Scotland, with the bishops wielding great influence over both church and state. St Andrews is also famous as a place of learning. The university, founded in 1410-11, is the third oldest in Britain.

The Home of Golf
For many visitors, though, it's a game that draws them here, for St Andrews is the home of golf, the sport having been played here for some 600 years. The Old Course is arguably the most famous golf course in the world, and the Royal and Ancient Golf Club is still the ruling body for the rules of golf. Fittingly, the Old Course hosted the Open during the millennium year and did so again in 2005.

View St Andrews Golf Guide.

Exploring St Andrews
St Andrews is a town meant for exploring. The medieval layout of the town centre remains intact, with the main shopping areas concentrated in Market Street and South Street, with Bell Street and Church Street connecting the two principal streets. Take time to explore - on foot - and take pleasure at the surprises and delights you will find.

In St Andrews town centre, there are a great many attractions all within walking distance of one another, so you can leave your car in the long-stay car park all day without needing to go back to it.

A walking circuit of the town can take in all the main visitor attractions, and you can get leaflets and maps from the Tourist Information Centre in Market Street that will help you to know what to look for along the way.

There are guided walking tours available - besides pointing out things that you might otherwise miss, these can really help you to understand some of the history of the town. There's even a night-time, ghost-led Witches Tour!

You should also look out for re-enactments of historical scenes at the Castle, the Cathedral and in Church Square during July and August.

Attractions outwith the town centre include St Andrews Botanic Garden, the Eden Estuary Nature Reserve, and Craigtoun Country Park. Farther afield are the fishing villages of the East Neuk, Falkland Palace, Kellie Castle, Hill of Tarvit, the Fife Folk Museum, the Scottish Fisheries Museum, and lots more.

St Andrews offers a vast choice of restaurants, pubs and cafes for eating out. Whether you prefer a high class restaurant or the ambience of an eatery popular with the student population, you'll never need to eat in the same place twice.

View St Andrews Restaurant and Pub Guide.

Visit St Andrews

Venue map

Registration and lectures will be held in The Gateway Building. Please see this
map for further information about how to get to the building. It is building 17 on this plan of the campus and is easily accessible from the main road coming into St. Andrews.

Travelling to the venue

By air

Edinburgh Edinburgh airport is one hours drive away from St Andrews. Alternatively catch the Airport Express service into Edinburgh (Haymarket) and catch the train to Leuchars station.

Glasgow Glasgow airport is one and a half hours drive from St Andrews. Alternatively catch a bus or taxi (two miles) to Paisley Gilmour Street railway station then to Glasgow Central. From Glasgow central walk to Glasgow Queen Street and catch the train to Haymarket and on to Leuchars station.

Dundee Dundee airport (flights from London City airport, Birmingham and Belfast City) is approximately a half hour drive from St Andrews. Alternatively catch a taxi to Dundee rail station and a train to Leuchars station (approximately 20 minutes). To book flights from Belfast or Birmingham to Dundee, please visit the Flybe website

By rail

Leuchars railway station is 4 miles from St Andrews and is on the east coast main line with inter-city connections throughout Britain and a night sleeper service to London.
For train information call National Rail Enquiries (0044 (0) 8457 48 49 50) or visit thetrainline.com
A frequent shuttle service will transport train passengers to and from the station.


By taxi/bus
From Leuchars station catch a taxi to St Andrews (8, 5 miles) or bus (2 to 3 buses per hour between 9am and 6pm and less frequently at other times).


By car

From the south via Edinburgh cross Forth Road Bridge and proceed north along M90 to junction 2A/3. Follow the A92 until just before Cupar, then join the A91 to St Andrews. Alternatively, take M90 to junction 8, then A91 to St Andrews.

From the south-west via Glasgow either go east along M8 to Forth Road Bridge and then follow the route 'from the south' as above, or by A80 and M876 to Kincardine Bridge and A977 towards Kinross, joining M90 at junction 6 and exiting at junction 8, then by A91 to St Andrews.

From the north-west leave Perth on M90 then by A913 to Cupar and St Andrews.

From the north via Dundee, cross Tay Road Bridge on A92 and after 1 mile via A919 to Leuchars and A91 to St Andrews.

For further route information visit The AA or The RAC.

For details on traffic reports in your area please visit Frixo

By coach
National Express Coaches runs to Edinburgh/Dundee (00 44 (0)8705 808080), then catch bus or train to St Andrews/Leuchars.

Local Taxi Services
Fareways Taxis 07986 321598
Golf City Taxis 01334 477788
HM Taxis 01334 474700
St Andrews Taxis 01334 477272
Williamsons taxis 01334 839279

Social programme

Wine tasting at Bell Pettigrew Museum of Natural History
Tuesday 21 July 18:00 – 20:00
A wine tasting session will take place on Tuesday evening at the Bell Pettigrew Museum of Natural History, Bute Buildings, University of St Andrews. The Bell Pettigrew Museum of Natural History was founded, and most specimens acquired, during the heyday of the Victorian age, when collecting was all the rage. Most towns and cities had a museum similar to this one, with many specimens displayed in a relatively small space. Although this Museum has been altered and updated on occasion, it retains its original feel - the entire museum, with its original cases, and superb mosaic floor, is a valuable survivor from a bygone age.

Bute Building
University of St Andrews
St Andrews
Fife KY16 9TS
UK

Please visit the museum website for further information.

Drinks reception and ‘Meet the Speakers’ event
Wednesday 22 July 17:10 - 19:15
The ‘Meet the Speakers’ event will give delegates the chance to speak to leading scientists in their field of interest. This event will be in an informal setting in which delegates can speak with the PIs about academic science careers, research and more.  The event will be broken down into several speed dating style sessions to give everyone the opportunity to speak to the PIs of their choice. There is no need to sign up for this event beforehand, just join us in the Gateway Building at 17:10.

Free time to explore St Andrews
Thursday 23 July 14:00 – 17:00
On Thursday afternoon all delegates will have a few hours of free time to explore St Andrews. The medieval layout of the town centre remains intact, with the main shopping areas concentrated in Market Street and South Street, with Bell Street and Church Street connecting the two principal streets. Take time to explore - on foot - and take pleasure at the surprises and delights you will find. Why not take the opportunity to join a guided tour of the Old Course or play a round of golf?

Guided tour of the Old Course
Thursday 23 July 14:30- 15:10
Join us on a guided tour of the Old Course, arguably the most famous golf course in the world. The meeting point for this tour is at the shop behind the 18th green, please see location map for more details. The costs of the guided tour is £2,50 and tickets should be purchased in advanced at the Biochemical Society registration desk at the Gateway Building. The tour takes approximately 40 minutes and all tickets include a voucher for a complimentary Old Course scorecard and a voucher giving promotional price entry to the British Golf Museum, which is located only about 100 yards from the Old Course. For further information please visit the St Andrews Links website.

Golf
Thursday 23 July 14:00 – 17:00
St Andrews is internationally known as the home of golf. For more information on St Andrews golf courses please refer to the St Andrews Golf Guide. If you would like to meet up with other delegates for a round of golf, please email the Meetings Office.

Conference Dinner at Lower College Hall
Thursday 23 July 19:30 - 22:00
The Conference Dinner will take place at Lower College Hall at the University of St Andrews. Lower College Hall is number 43 on the venue map. The Conference Dinner is included in the residential registration fee and can be selected as a separate option on the registration form for non residential delegates.

Registration fees and forms

Earlybird Registration Deadline: 19 June 2009 

Registration is now open Please note that a late fee of £50 has now been added to the registration fees.

Registration Fees

Residential fees
Full member £380
Non member £545
Student member £320

Residential fees include three nights single en suite accommodation at the University of St Andrews on 21, 22 and 23 July. Lunches, refreshments, and evening meals for the duration of the meeting (including the Meeting Dinner on 23 July) are also included.

Non-residential fees
Full member £210
Non member £350
Student member £190

Non residential fees include lunches and refreshments for the duration of the meeting. Please note that non residential fees do NOT include accommodation. The Meeting Dinner on 23 July can be selected as a separate option on the registration form at a charge of £36. 

Payment of fees

All payments must be made prior to the meeting. Please note that invoices for registration fees will not be issued.

Credit card/Debit card
(Preferred method of payment, and the only acceptable form of payment for online registration)
The following credit/debit cards will be accepted:
Eurocard, Mastercard, Switch/Maestro, Visa

If you wish to pay by cheque, bank draft or bank transfer please contact the Meetings Office.

Confirmation email

As the final stage of the online registration process, all registered delegates will receive a confirmation page and a separate email to confirm registration details. This confirmation should be checked carefully to ensure that all requirements are correct. In particular, the spelling of names and affiliations should be checked, as this information will be used to create badges.

Confirmation emails also act as a receipt. Please bring a copy of the email with you to the meeting.

If you have not received a confirmation email two weeks before the meeting, please contact the Meetings Office.

Registering at the meeting

Please bring your confirmation email to present at the registration desk at the meeting. Badges will be issued upon registering and, for security reasons, must be worn for the duration of the meeting

Student travel grants

The maximum student travel grant available is 150 and includes:
Registration fees (up to 50)
Accommodation (up to 50)
Travel (up to a maximum of 50)

The following principles apply to application for a Student Travel Grant:

1. Students can apply for a Travel Grant if they are a member of the Biochemical Society by the poster abstract submission deadline and have submitted a poster abstract.

2. Students can only apply for one Student Travel Grant in a year.

3. Students are not eligible for a Student Travel Grant if they have already received funding from the General Travel Fund in that same year.

4. All student members of the Biochemical Society are entitled to apply for these Travel Grants and this entitlement will extend to PhD graduates for up two years after graduation and to foreign student members in respect of travel in the UK and Irish Republic.

How to apply:
The online registration form for the meeting should be completed along with the Student Travel Grant Application Form.

Grant applications received four weeks prior to the meeting will be available for collection at the meeting (cheque only); however, you may apply for a grant at the Registration Desk, or up to four weeks after the meeting.

Subject to approval, applicants will receive a cheque for the appropriate amount. The maximum amount for travel expenses that will be reimbursed will be at the level of the current Young Persons Railcard fare. If the application does not use up the full amount of the Grant, the balance cannot be transferred to another meeting.

Poster abstract submission

Poster abstract submission deadline extended: 28 May 2009
Abstract submission is now closed.

Has my abstract been accepted?
If you do not receive a submission number, please email meetings@biochemistry.org immediately.

Approximately 2 weeks after the abstract submission deadline has passed, you will receive an email informing you whether your poster has been accepted or not and informing you of your poster number and session time.

All poster abstracts will be available to view online two weeks prior to the meeting.

Poster session time: Wednesday 22 July at 17:10-19:15
Poster board size: portrait style 1m wide x 2m high

Velcro to mount your poster will be provided at the meeting. 
 

ASN Neuro Poster Prize

ASN Neuro sponsored a poster prize for the best three posters displayed at the meeting. The first prize was awarded to Andrew Clarkson at the University of California, USA. A joint second prize was awarded to Ann Swijsen at Hasselt University, Belgium and Alastair Hosie at Imperial College London, UK.

Accommodation

Residential packages can be booked through the online registration form which will be available shortly. Single ensuite accommodation will be provided for all residential delegates at New Hall, University of St Andrews on 21, 22 and 23 July 2009.

Refreshments

At the meeting
Lunch and refreshments will be provided for all attendees and will be included in the registration fee.

Dietary requirements

Should you have any special dietary requirements, please indicate this on the registration form. Alternatively, please inform the Meetings Office as changes to the menu cannot be made at the meeting.

Disabled access

Disabled access is available. If you require assistance during the meeting please contact the Meetings Office.

Sponsors and trade exhibition

The following companies will be sponsoring the meeting:

Biochemical Society Transactions
Portland Press Ltd
Ascent Scientific

ASN Neuro

Tocris

Please feel free to view our sponsorship and trade exhibition opportunities at this meeting.

If you are interested in sponsoring or exhibiting at the meeting please contact the Meetings Office.

 

Refunds

Cancellations will be accepted in writing until 7 July 2009, and a refund (less 15 administration charge) will be issued.

After this date, neither full nor partial refunds can be given. Please note that refunds of less than 15 cannot be issued.

Official letters of invitation

Official letters of invitation, which are intended to assist with administrative arrangements in certain countries will only be issued when the individual has completed the following criteria:

1) Submitted an abstract which has been approved by the meeting scientific organizer for inclusion into the relevant meeting

2) Sent a letter from the head of their academic department on University headed paper saying why they need to attend the meeting in relation to their research

3) Registered and paid for the meeting
Such letters do not imply commitment of financial or other support by the organizers

Contact Us

If you require any further information, please contact:

The Meetings Office
The Biochemical Society
Third Floor
Eagle House
16 Procter Street
London WC1V 6NX
UK
E-mail: meetings@biochemistry.org
Telephone (Meetings Office): +44 (0) 20 7280 4150
Telephone (Main Reception): +44 (0) 20 7280 4100