Meeting Background

Meiosis and meiotic recombination are fundamental processes, the understanding of which has wide ranging implications across many disciplines not least of which is human fertility, mapping of human genetic traits and the origin of genetic disorders such as Downs Syndrome. Meiosis and meiotic recombination has been the foundation of all genetic analysis since the discovery of linkage and its break down early in the last century. Unravelling its molecular mechanism has since challenged geneticists, biochemists and cytologists. Understanding the control of the initiation and distribution of recombination is of fundamental importance to the design of studies aimed at mapping single and complex trait disorders in all organisms. Understanding the biochemistry of the DNA and DNA protein interactions is essential to understanding this complex process. The origin of sex, meiosis and recombination still puzzles evolutionary biologists. Great strides are occurring in each of these disciplines and this joint meeting between the Biochemical Society and the Genetics Society is unique in that elements from all of these disciplines will be brought together. This diverse group of biochemists, geneticists, and evolutionary biologists will all benefit enormously from exposure to both the latest results in each field as well as the ways of thinking inherent in each discipline. Perhaps even more importantly it will forge new links and foster collaboration between these creating a synergy, which will certainly prove scientifically productive.

Venue

This meeting will be held at
Warwick Conference Park on the 29 - 31 March 2006

All science sessions will be held in the Arts Centre Theatre, which is a short walk away from the Rootes building. The Theatre has no arm rests for writing.

The poster sessions and trade exhibition will be held in the Butterworth Hall directly opposite the Arts Centre Cinema.

Accommodation has been arranged on campus within a minute's walk of the Arts Centre.
Warwick Conference Park Accommodation
All rooms have: clock radio, tea and coffee making facilities, hairdryer, towels and toiletries, iron and ironing board available on request.

Warwick Conference Park
The University of Warwick
Coventry
CV4 7AL
UK

Site plan of Warwick University

How to reach The University of Warwick

Campus Map

The University of Warwick is located just three miles from Coventry city centre.

Coventry and Warwick

Visit Coventry

Warwick offers to visitors today the opportunity of exploring not only the architectural gems of our medieval history but also those of our more recent past and the modern vibrant life of the county town of Warwickshire.

The city of Warwick was founded on the banks of the River Avon in 914 AD by Ethelfleda, sister of Edward the Elder, as a defence against the Danish invaders, on a site overlooking earlier riverside settlements.

The Great Fire of 1964 destroyed many of the central streets of Warwick. However,
several medieval buildings survived, and many buildings of historic interest can be found in the town centre. The most notable of these is Warwick Castle, one of the most dramatic and complete medieval castles in the country. Also of importance are the town's medieval Guildhall, now the Lord Leycester Hospital, as well as a group of timber - framed buildings around Oken's House. St Mary's Church, whose tower dominates the surrounding countryside, is famous for its Beauchamp Chapel, and Medieval/Tudor tombs.

Payment of fees

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)
Most credit and debit cards are accepted with the exception of Diners Club.

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 drawn on an EU bank.

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 'SA049 reg. fees' and your family name. Please indicate on the registration form that you will be paying by bank transfer.

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

Sort Code: 60-06-06

Account: Portland Press Limited

Account Number: 01863630

SWIFT code: NWBKGB2112B

IBAN code: GB65NWBK60060601863630

Science programme

Details of the programme can be found here.

A programme booklet containing speaker and poster abstracts will be provided at the meeting.

Registration

The Early registration deadline is on 28 February 2006 - after which a late fee of 50 will be added to the cost of the meeting.

Residential Registration - includes 2 nights B&B accommodation on the 29 & 30 March, lunches, refreshments, dinner on the 29 March and the Conference Dinner on the 30 March.

Full member 250

Student 150

Non member 350

Registration can be carried out either online or by sending a registration form by fax or post to 'Meiosis and the causes and consequences of recombination', Portland Customer Services, Commerce Way, Whitehall Industrial Estate, Colchester, Essex, CO2 8HP, UK. Fax: +44 (0) 1206 799 331.

Registration at the meeting

Registration will be open on 29 March 2006 at 11:30am.

From the morning of Wednesday 29 March the Biochemical Society registration desk will be situated in the Rootes Social Building.

Badges will be issued at the registration desk and for security reasons must be worn throughout the conference.

Only those who register before Tuesday 21 March 2006 will be included in the Meeting Attendee List.

Posters

The student poster prize will be sponsored by Trends in Genetics who are offering a 200 prize for the winner.

Poster abstract submission has now closed.

Are you a Biochemical Society student member?

Biochemical Society student members can apply for a student travel grant to help cover the cost of attending this meeting.

Has my abstract been accepted?

After abstract submission you should receive a unique 5 digit submission number, which will identify your abstract.

If you do not receive a submission number, then 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.

General poster sessions will be allocated at the meeting (times to be confirmed). All poster authors should stand beside their posters during these sessions.

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

- Posterboard size is 2.0m high x 1.0m wide portrait. Velcro to mount your poster will be provided at the meeting.

Promega Young Geneticist of the Year Award

The Genetics Society is currently seeking nominations for the 2006 Promega Young Geneticist of the Year Award. The competition is open to PhD student/recent postdoctoral graduate members of the Genetics Society who have submitted their PhD thesis in any area of genetics between 1 January 2005 and 31 December 2005. Applications should consist of the thesis abstract, details of any publications arising from the work, the submission date of the thesis and a signed and sealed envelope containing a letter of recommendation from your supervisor and/or Head of Department. Applications should be sent to the Honorary Secretary of the Society:

Professor John Armour
Institute of Genetics
University of Nottingham
Queen's Medical Centre
Nottingham
NG7 2UH

and must be received by Friday 3 February 2006. Three prizes will be awarded:

1st prize 600
2nd prize 400
3rd prize 200

The first prize winner will be invited to accept the award and to give a short presentation at this meeting.

Finalists in previous Promega YGYA competitions are not eligible to apply.

Accommodation

All residential packages include 2 nights accommodation on the 29 and 30 March.

Full and non member residents will be staying in en suite accommodation.

Student residents will be staying in standard accommodation (shared shower, baths and toilets)

Warwick Conference Park will provide all accommodation for the meeting.

Delegate Information

Ensuite accommodation will be in the Jack Martin Halls of Residence. This is a 5 - 7 minute walk away from the Rootes Social building (where catering will take place), and an 8 - 10 minute walk away from the Arts building.

Standard accommodation will be in the Rootes Halls of Residence located behind the Rootes Social Building.

All rooms are equipped with: a clock radio, free internet access via network point, tea and coffee making facilities, a hairdryer, and are fully equipped with towels and toiletries. Ironing boards are available in the kitchen/lounge areas.

The rooms do not have telephones in them. However, in case of any problems there is a phone in every block that attendees can use to call the accommodation reception desk.

Social Programme

There will be a Meeting Dinner on Thursday 30 March. The Dinner will take place on-site in the Chancellor's Suite located in the Rootes Social Building and is included in the registration fee for all delegates.

Internet Access

All rooms on campus are networked for free internet access (for computers with an Ethernet card). Alternatively, PCs with free Internet and email access are available for both day and residential guests in the reception area of the Rootes Social Building. These may be accessed 7.00am to 11:00pm Monday - Sunday

Refreshments

The registration fees include breakfasts, lunches, self service dinner on 29 March, the Conference Dinner on the 30 March, and refreshments.

All breakfasts, and dinner on the 29 March, will be held in the Rootes Restaurant.

Trade Exhibition/Sponsors

If you are interested in exhibiting at or sponsoring this meeting please contact meetings@biochemistry.org for further information.

Travelling to Warwick

Map of Warwick Campus

Journey Planner

BY TRAIN
Coventry Intercity Station is on the West Coast Line with regular trains connecting with other major towns and cities.
The train station is 4 miles away from the Conference Park. To get from the train station to the conference park it is possible to take a taxi or take advantage of the regular bus service.

Journey times and costs:
1 hours from London Euston - trains run approximately every half hour ~ 32 return
hour from Birmingham, services are frequent throughout the day ~ 2 single
2 hours from Manchester - trains run approximately every 20 minutes ~ 31 return
1 hours from Sheffield ~ 29 return
5 hours from Edinburgh ~ 85 return

Prices are approximate and advance booking is recommended.

Train times can be found from
www.midlandline.com
thetrainline
National Rail Enquiries
or by phoning the National Rail Enquiries Centre on +44 (0) 8457 484950

BY CAR

The University of Warwick is located at the centre of the Midlands Motorway network that includes the M40, M69, M1, M6 and M5.

Directions by road

Please see the following the links for route plans:
www.rac.co.uk or www.theaa.co.uk

Car parking - Available on campus in car parks 6, 7, 8 and 15. Car parking is free and a permit is not required. Disabled spaces are available close to the entrance of main buildings.

BY COACH
Coach services (operated by National Express, Stagecoach, and Citylink) are available to Coventry from major cities throughout the UK, including London. For further information visit National Express or phone +44 (0)8705 808080

All the above times and fares are approximate.

Travelling to Warwick by air

Birmingham International Airport is only 20 minutes away from Coventry by taxi. A frequent train service operates to Coventry from Birmingham International Station, adjacent to the airport (20 minutes ~2).

Coventry Airport is situated at Badington, to the east of the city and just 15 minutes by car from the Conference Park. You can fly to Coventry airport from the following cities: Alicante, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Faro, Ibiza, Jersey, Mahon, Malaga, Palma, Paris, Pisa, Shanon, Valencia, and Venice.

Nottingham East Midlands Airport is located, approximately 1 hour from Warwick Conference Centre. There are daily scheduled flights into East Midlands Airport from several major European Cities including Aberdeen, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Belfast within the UK.

Luton Airport Warwick Conference Centre is located approximately 2 hours from Luton Airport. There is a free Rail Shuttle Bus outside the terminal from Bay 1 which operates to/from the Main Terminal to/from Luton Airport Parkway Station. Take the train from Luton Airport Parkway to Coventry (2 hours ~ 25). Once in Coventry take a taxi from Coventry train station to the University of Warwick.

London Heathrow Airport to Coventry
Take the Heathrow Express (every 15 minutes ~23 return) into London Paddington and then take the Underground - Hammersmith and City or Circle line - to Euston Square, a five minute walk away from Euston mainline station. Alternatively attendees can take the 205 bus or a taxi straight Euston mainline station. From London Euston take the mainline train to Coventry (1 hours ~ 32 return). Take a taxi from Coventry train station to the University of Warwick.

London Gatwick Airport to Coventry
Take the Gatwick Express (every 15 minutes ~21 return) into London Victoria and then take the underground (Victoria line) to London Euston mainline station. From London Euston take the mainline train to Coventry (1 hours ~ 32 return). Take a taxi from Coventry train station to the University of Warwick.

Stansted Airport is the least convenient of the airports. To get to Coventry it is necessary to go by train to either London or to Birmingham and then on to Coventry where it is possible to take a taxi to the University of Warwick. We suggest that you do NOT use this airport unless there is absolutely no alternative.

All the above fares and times are approximate.

Student travel grants

Biochemical Society Focused Meeting Travel Grants

The grant available for application for a 2-day Focused Meeting includes:
Registration fees up to 50
Accommodation for one night up to 50
Travel up to 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 Society by the closing date for poster abstract submission, 25 January 2006, for this particular meeting.

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 Ph.D. graduates for two years after graduation and to foreign student members in respect of travel in the UK and Irish Republic.


How to apply

A registration form for the Meeting should be completed and submitted to Portland Customer Services (details below). A copy of this form should also be sent to the Meetings Office (address at bottom of page) 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; 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.

Refunds

Cancellations will be accepted in writing until 15 March 2006 (10 working days before the meeting) subject to a 15 administration fee. However, after this date, neither full nor partial refunds can be given. Please note that refunds of less than 15 cannot be given.

Confirmation email

All registered delegates will be sent a confirmation email to confirm registration details. This email 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 registration desk at the meeting.

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

PLEASE NOTE: As the confirmation email may be from an unrecognised email address (registrations@portland-services.com) your mailbox may filter it as spam.

Disabled Access

Disabled access is available. It would be helpful if you could let Rebecca (rebecca.smith@biochemistry.org) know in advance if you may require any special assistance during your stay at the Warwick Conference Park.

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 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.

Other facilities

All guests have full use of the extensive and well maintained 750 acre campus, with Warwickshire walks and comprehensive sport facilities including swimming, squash and tennis. Details and opening times will be available at Reception in the Rootes Social Building.

Sports Facilities

Biochemical Society contact details