Overview

The Protein and Peptide Science Group of the Biochemical Society is pleased to announce a one-day meeting entitled Design of Inhibitors for Proteolytic Cascades (9 September, 2003). This Meeting will be a satellite of the 57th Harden Conference on Protease Structure and Function (9 -13 September 2003, Oriel College, Oxford), and will be hosted at GlaxoSmithKline, Stevenage, UK.

The programme will focus on the design of inhibitors of proteases involved in proteolytic cascades: MMPs, caspases, coagulation factors and complement enzymes. Such proteases make attractive targets for therapeutic intervention and are thus generating considerable interest both in academia and industry. This one day satellite meeting will cover a range of topics related to the inhibition of proteolytic cascades and will address topical issues such as selective vs. pan-inhibitors or the locus of inhibition as the initiating or executing enzyme, irreversible or reversible inhibition kinetics and feedback as well as rebound activation. The programme will begin with a plenary talk from Professor Robin Leatherbarrow. It is proposed that the following sessions are shared between two speakers: one to cover biological aspects of the proteolytic cascade, and the other to discuss synthetic and medicinal chemistry issues regarding inhibitor design and development within that protease system. Finally, the concluding session will highlight emerging proteolytic systems such as APP secretases and intra-membrane serine proteases. A poster session with a cheese and wine reception will take place following the talks at 5pm. Lunch and coffee will be provided during the day.

Venue

GlaxoSmithKline
This Biochemical Society Focused Meeting will take place at the GlaxoSmithKline Medicines Research Centre in Stevenage, UK. The Medicines Research Centre is set in 100 acres of landscaped grounds and was formally opened in April 1995 by Her Majesty, The Queen.

GlaxoSmithKline was formed in January 2001 as the result of a merger between GlaxoWellcome and SmithKline Beecham.

GSK is a world leading research-based pharmaceutical company with a powerful combination of skills and resources that provides a platform for delivering strong growth in today's rapidly changing healthcare environment.

On Site - VERY IMPORTANT
On arrival at the venue please report to the reception area next to the security gatehouse. There you will be issued with a name badge and vehicle pass (if appropriate). You will then be directed to the reception area in the Administration Building (opposite the visitors car park) where the meeting is taking place.

Visitors badges should be worn throughout your visit and handed in before you leave the site. The company operates a strict no-smoking policy, which means that smoking is not permitted anywhere within the site boundary. Cameras or other recording equipment should not be brought on to the site without prior permission.

Posters

Poster abstract submission
Poster abstract submission for this meeting has now closed. If you wish to bring a poster to the meeting please contact Helen Reed (helen.reed@biochemistry.org).

Poster boards are 1.2m wide x 1.8m high (portrait). Posters should be mounted using velcro, which will be provided.

Poster Session Times:

12:30 - 13:30 - poster viewing

17:00 - 18:00 - formal poster session

Has my abstract been accepted?

After abstract submission you should have received a unique control number to identify your abstract. If you submitted an abstract but did not receive a control number, then please email meetings@biochemistry.org. Approximately 2 weeks after the abstract submission deadline has passed, you will receive an email informing you whether your poster has been accepted.

Getting There

A map and more detailed instructions will be sent to delegates with confirmation of their registration.

By Car
The town is located on the A1(M) just 30 miles from central London and only 15 minutes from the M25 London orbital and therefore at the heart of the nation's motorway network.

If you are travelling to Stevenage by car please visit the either the AA (www.theaa.com/) or RAC (www.rac.co.uk/) web sites for a route planner.

By Train
If you are travelling to Stevenage by train please visit the Railtrack web site (www.railtrack.co.uk) for a route planner.

Rail connections to Stevenage are good, with the town being situated on the main East Coast London to Edinburgh line. A 25 minute train journey from London Kings Cross puts Stevenage in touch with major UK and European cities.

By Air
London Luton is the nearest airport to Stevenage. However, there are no direct train links between Luton and Stevenage and passengers will need to travel into London Kings Cross and change for the Stevenage service. A taxi from Luton airport would take around 30 minutes and would cost approximately 20.

Disabled access

Disabled access is available. Please contact Helen Reed (Helen.Reed@biochemistry.org)of the Meetings Office (+44 20 7580 3481) in advance if you require any special assistance during your stay in Stevenage.

Accommodation

Note: please state that you are attending a Meeting at GlaxoSmithKline to obtain these rates.

Cromwell Hotel
High Street, Old Town, Stevenage, Hertfordshire. SG1 3AZ
Telephone: +44 (0) 1438 779 954
Fax: +44 (0) 1438 742 169
Rates: 82.50 (standard single bed & breakfast), 92 (standard double bed & breakfast, single occupancy), 102 (double bed & breakfast, double occupancy).
Location: Five minutes drive from the GSK office (taxi fare to GSK site is approx.
4.50).
Description: An historic hotel, dating back to the 16th Century, suitable for conferences and banqueting.
Amenities: Complimentary breakfast, restaurant, non-smoking rooms, express checkout/in, in-room tea/coffee making facilities and laundry/dry cleaning facilities.

Blakemore Thistle Hotel
Little Wymondley, Nr. Hitchin, Hertfordshire. SG4 7JJ
Telephone: +44 (0) 1438 355 821
Fax: +44 (0) 1438 742 114
Rate: 70 (single room only) plus 7.95 for breakfast.
Location: Ten minutes drive from the GSK office (taxi fare to GSK site approx. 8.00).
Description: The hotel offers spacious accommodation and is set in six acres of landscaped gardens.
Amenities: Outdoor swimming pool, restaurant, non-smoking rooms, express checkout/in, in-room tea/coffee making facilities and laundry/dry cleaning facilities.

Forte Posthouse
Old London Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire. SG2 8DS
Telephone: 0870 0119076
Rate: 70 (single bed & breakfast).
Location: Two miles from the GSK office (taxi fare to GSK site approx. 3.00).
Description: The main building is traditional 15th century.
Amenities: Complimentary breakfast, restaurant, express checkout/in, in-room tea/coffee making facilities, laundry/dry cleaning and hairdryers in room.


Novotel Hotel
Knebworth Park, Stevenage, Hertfordshire. SG1 2NY
Telephone: +44 (0) 1438 346100
Fax: +44 (0) 1438 723 872
Rates: 88.50 (single bed & breakfast) , 99.00 (double bed & breakfast).
Location: Half a mile from the GSK office (taxi fare to GSK site is approx. 2.00).
Description: A modern three star hotel situated at Junction 7 off the A1 motorway, at the entrance to Knebworth Park.
Amenities: Complimentary breakfast, outdoor swimming pool, restaurant, room service, in-room computer/fax hook-up, business centre, in-room tea/coffee making facilities, newspaper, laundry/dry cleaning and complimentary parking.

Please check with each hotel regarding their cancellation terms and conditions.

Confirmation

All registered delegates will be sent a confirmation e-mail to confirm registration details. This letter 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 e-mails also act as a receipt, and should also contain venue maps and delegate information. Please bring the letter with you to the conference.

If you have not received a confirmation e-mail two weeks before the meeting, please contact Portland Customer Services on +44 (0) 1206 796 351

Refunds

Cancellations will be accepted in writing until Tuesday 26 August 2003, and up until this date full refunds will be given. However, after this date, neither full nor partial refunds can be given.

Payment of Fees

All payments must be made prior to the Conference.

The following methods will be accepted:

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:

American Express, Eurocard, Mastercard, Switch, Visa

Cheques
Please include payment with your registration form. Types of cheques accepted (made payable to Portland Customer Services) are:

Sterling cheques, drawn on a UK bank.

US dollar cheques, drawn on a US or London bank.

Euro cheques (in Euro currency NOT Eurocheques).

Bank drafts are accepted as follows:
Drafts must be in pounds sterling, drawn on a UK bank or US dollars drawn on a US or London bank. Must be made payable to Portland Customer Services.

Bank transfer
Registration fees can be accepted by bank transfer. Please make sure you include the reference 'Cascades reg. fees' and your family name.

Bank:
NatWest, 25 High Steet, Colchester CO1 1DG

Sort Code: 60-06-06

Account: Portland Press Limited

Account Number: 01863630

SWIFT code: NWBKGB2112B

Official letter of invitation

Official letters of invitation, which are intended to assist with administrative arrangements in certain countries, will be issued upon request once an abstract has been submitted (and accepted), and registration fees have been received. Such letters do not imply commitment of financial or other support by the organizers.