Meeting background

There is increasing interest in the role of biogenic amines (BA) in terms of human health. This meeting will focus on two major aspects:

a) BA and food safety
b) polyamines in health and disease

The programme will be wide ranging, covering the measurement of BA in food as an indication of food quality and safety, and BA in health and disease (including allergy, cancer and parasitic infections). New inhibitors of amine biosynthesis will be one of the focal topics.

Planned sessions:
Update on polyamine metabolism
Biogenic amines and disease
Biogenic amines in food
Chemotherapy and chemoprevention
Biogenic amine metabolism

About Aberdeen

Home to a population of 212,125, Aberdeen is a thriving, cosmopolitan port in the North-east of Scotland.

Built at the mouth of two major Scottish rivers, the Dee and the Don, and covering an area of 184.47 square kilometres (71.22 square miles), the Granite City owes its distinctive appearance to the famous, locally quarried and widely exported, building material. Traditional industries such as fishing and farming still flourish in and around the city but Aberdeens buoyant modern economy - reflected in unemployment rates consistently under 2% - is fuelled by the oil industry, earning the city its epithet as 'Oil Capital of Europe'.

Aberdeen is a handsome and historic city of timeless granite architecture combined with modern facilities, carefully blended to provide an inspiring and rewarding environment for both visitors and citizens alike.

Studies have consistently shown that Aberdeen is rated as one of the most desirable cities in the UK in which to live and work. Its contribution to the work and wealth of the nation has been considerable, reaping the harvest of both land and sea.

It is an Energy City the home of numerous companies who use the city as their headquarters following 30 years of North Sea exploration. But if you are expecting to stand on our beach and see oil rigs you are in for a disappointment!

Aberdeen boasts the most complete civic records in Scotland. The earliest Charter to be found was granted by William the Lion about 1179 and from the wording we can assume that Aberdeen was already a Royal Burgh and trading community of some importance.

A gigantic landmark took place in 1319 when the Great Charter of Robert the Bruce transformed Aberdeen into a property-owning and financially independent community. He bestowed on the community the ownership of the Burgh and the Forest of Stocket for the annual payment of 213 sterling.

The Forest of Stocket formed the major part of the land known as the Freedom Lands and the revenue from it initiated the Common Good Fund a fund used to this day for the benefit of citizens.

With bustling shopping malls, a wide variety of entertainment and leisure amenities, and a vibrant arts scene, Aberdeen is a major retail, leisure and cultural centre. First class road, rail, sea and air communications - London is only one and a half hour's flight away - ensures the city, though Northerly, is not isolated.

Aberdeen City Council
Aberdeen Tourist Information
Visit Scotland

Venue

Medico-Chirurgical Hall
The Medical School
Polwarth Building
University of Aberdeen
Foresterhill
Aberdeen
AB25 2ZD
UK

Tel. +44 (0) 1224 552 737

Map of the campus locations in Aberdeen - Foresterhill is the site of the Medical School
Map of Foresterhill Site (A is the Medical School)
Map of the Medical School buildings (D is the Medico-Chirurgical Hall)

Accommodation

Accommodation booked via the registration form will be provided at the Premier Travel Inn - Aberdeen City Centre. The price includs bed and breakfast.

Premier Travel Inn
Aberdeen City Centre
Inverlair House
West North Street
Aberdeen
AB24 5AR
UK

T: +44 (0) 870 990 6300
F: +44 (0) 870 990 6301

Local map

Payment of fees

All payments must be made prior to the Meeting.

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
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 'SA062 reg. fees' and your family name. Please indicate on the registration form that you will be paying by bank transfer.

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

Registration fees and forms

Early registration deadline: 7 September 2006

After this date, an additional 50 fee will automatically be added to the following fees.
Please note: accommodation cannot be guaranteed for registrations made after 7 September 2006.

Registration Fees

NON RESIDENTIAL RATES
Biochemical Society member/Young Researcher/COST Participant - 150
Student member - 95
Non-Biochemical Society member - 300

TWO NIGHTS RESIDENTIAL (19 and 20 October 2006) RATES
Biochemical Society member/Young Researcher (Not applicable to COST Participants) - 235
Student member - 185
Non-Biochemical Society member - 335

THREE NIGHTS RESIDENTIAL (19, 20 and 21 October 2006) RATES
Biochemical Society member/Young Researcher/COST Participant - 300
Student member - 250
Non-Biochemical Society member - 400

Late Fee (after 7 September 2006) - 50

All fees include lunch, refreshments and the Meeting dinner.

Should you require accommodation on 18 October 2006, this is available at a cost of 65.50. Please indicate this one your registration form.

Information on becoming a Biochemical Society member and benefiting from reduced fees can be found on the Biochemical Society Membership website (http://www.biochemistry.org/membership/faq.htm).

Registration Forms

Registration can be completed online or by fax/post after downloading a PDF version of the registration form from the website.

All delegates should register prior to the meeting. Only those who register before 5 October 2006 will be included in the Meeting Attendee List.

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, and should also contain a link to venue maps and delegate information. Please bring the email with you to 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.

Student travel grants

Student Travel Grants are available to Student members of the Biochemical Society.
A maximum of 150 is available for this Meeting.

For information on how to become a member, go to http://www.biochemistry.org/membership/faq.htm.

Each grant will be offered in the form of a package depending upon the type of Meeting for which the grant is requested.

The Society welcomes applications for Travel Grants from students who wish to attend a:

Society Focused Meeting
The grant for a one day Focused Meeting includes:

registration fees (up to 25)
travel up to 125.

The grant for a two day Focused Meeting includes:

Registration fees (up to 50)
Accommodation for one night (up to 50)
Travel (up to a maximum of 50)

Independent Meeting (sponsored by the Society)
Student members may claim a maximum travel grant 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 Society by the poster abstract submission deadline (17 August 2006)

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:

Applicants must register to attend the Meeting using the Delegate Registration Form and submit this along with the Grant Application Form. Grant applications received four weeks prior to the Meeting will be available for collection at the Meeting if a cheque was requested. Bank transfers will be dealt with after the Meeting.
You may also 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.

Registration at the meeting

Registration at the Meeting will take place in the foyer of the Medico-Chirurgical Hall
on Thursday 19 October between 10:00-12:00.

The Biochemical Society Registration desk will be open during:
Thursday 19 October 10:00-17:00
Friday 20 October 08:30-17:00
Saturday 21 October 08:30-12:00

Please bring your confirmation email when you register. All delegates will be given badges (which must be worn throughout the duration of the Meeting) and a Programme Book.

Science programme

Most up to date programme can be found here.

Poster abstract submission

Deadline for poster abstract submission: 17 August 2006

Has my abstract been accepted?
After submitting your abstract you should receive a submission number which will identify your abstract. If you have not received 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 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 Board size: 1m wide x 2m high - portrait.

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

Refreshments

At the meeting
Lunch and refreshments will be provided for all attendees.
Lunch will be served in the IMS (Institute of Medical Sciences) Atrium.
Coffee/tea breaks will be held in the Medico Chirurgical Chamber, next to the Medico-Chirurgical Hall.

Dietary requirements
Should you have any special dietary requirements, please inform Portland Customer Services (registration@portland-services.com) as changes to the menu cannot be made at the meeting.

Social programme

Thursday 19 October 2006
19:00-20:30 Civic reception
Town House
Union Street
Aberdeen
AB10 1LP
UK

Friday 20 October 2006
19:00-20:00 Pre-dinner drinks
20:00-23:00 Meeting Dinner
Maryculter House Hotel
South Deeside Road
Maryculter
Aberdeen
AB12 5GB
UK

Disabled access

There is a new disabled access into the Polwarth Building (Aberdeen University Medical School) which gives access to the Medico-Chirurgical Hall on the same level. If you require assistance during the Meeting please contact Silvia Rabar on meetings@biochemistry.org or +44 (0)20 7280 4150.

Sponsors and trade exhibitors

Biochemical Society Transactions

COST Action 922

Portland Press Ltd


If you are interested in sponsoring or exhibiting at the Meeting, please contact Silvia Rabar on meetings@biochemistry.org or +44 (0)20 7280 4150.

Travel to Aberdeen

Travel by air

Travel by air
Aberdeen's international airport is served by a number of major carriers providing an extensive network of routes throughout the UK, direct to Europe and worldwide through major hubs. British destinations include three of the four main London airports (Heathrow, Gatwick and Luton), Manchester, Newcastle, Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol and Norwich, as well as the Scottish Highlands and Islands. Major continental destinations include Amsterdam, Copenhagen and Stavanger.

Please note that due to increased security on flights to and from the UK, hand luggage restrictions still apply. Please visit the Aberdeen airport website for details and updates.

Typical fares:
Fares vary considerably depending on when you travel and how far in advance you book. For example easyJet flights between London Luton and Aberdeen can be as low as 50 return but rise if you book closer to your date of departure. Contact the airlines listed below for up-to-date information.

Other airlines using Aberdeen airport include:

Travel by coach and rail

Travel by coach

First class roads south to Edinburgh and Glasgow and onward, carry fast coach services linking Aberdeen with the UK's major cities. Competitive return fares, using Travelcard schemes, make coach travel popular with students. The list below shows standard prices offered by National Express at the time of writing.

Typical Fares:
Birmingham52.50
Cardiff63.00
Edinburgh24.00
Glasgow24.00
London47.00
Manchester50.00
Liverpool50.50

The main coach and bus station is located in Guild Street, next to the railway station (see map). This is close to the centre of Aberdeen and you will need a taxi or bus to get to the Medical School. Taxis cost around 5.00.

National Express contact information: booking line: 08705 808080.
Disabled Persons Travel Helpline: 0121 423 8479

www.megabus.com
or book by phone on 0900 160 0900

www.citylink.co.uk
for more coach travel information

Travel by Train

Rail services connect Aberdeen both north and south. There are regular direct trains to London and services from Edinburgh and Glasgow link with other mainline routes. Inverness, the scenic West Coast and the Highlands are reached northwards.

Typical fares:
Fares can vary considerably depending on when you travel and how far in advance you book. The list below shows Standard prices offered by National Rail at the time of writing.

Birmingham: between 70 - 167
Cardiff: between 94 - 236
Edinburgh: approx. 50
Glasgow: between 19 - 55
Inverness: between 14 - 35
Liverpool: between 58 - 204
London, St Pancras: between 107 - 245
Manchester: between 58 - 145
Newcastle: between 74 - 150

The railway station is located in Guild Street, next to the coach and bus station (see map).

This is close to the centre of Aberdeen and you will need a taxi or bus to get to the Medical School. Taxis cost around 5.00.

Railcard holders will find travel considerably cheaper
Please note above rail fares are subject to change depending on time and date of booking therefore these fares are to be used as a guideline only.

Usefull rail contact information:
The Trainline
National Rail Enquiries: 08457 48 49 50
National Rail Enquiries from overseas: (Please note: International rates apply): +44(0)20 7278 5240

Travel by road

Travel by road
The main traffic routes into Aberdeen are the A90 from the South and the A96 from the North. The A90 is entirely dual carriageway south of Aberdeen; the A96 has stretches of dual carriageway. Like many major cities, Aberdeen is becoming congested with traffic and the rush hour is best avoided if possible.

Access from the south
Foresterhill - Medical School

As you approach Aberdeen on the A90, follow the signs to the A92 (Fraserburgh and Peterhead). This leads round the ring road (Anderson Drive). Exit from the ring road at a set of traffic lights onto Ashgrove Road West and continue along this road until you reach Foresterhill hospital. The Medical School is adjacent to the hospital; its entrance is off Ashgrove Road West.

Access from the north
Foresterhill - Medical School

As you approach Aberdeen on the A96, follow the signs to the A90 (Dundee and the South). This leads round the ring road (Anderson Drive). Exit from the ring road by turning left at a set of traffic lights onto Ashgrove Road West, and continue along this road until you reach Foresterhill hospital. The Medical School is adjacent to the hospital; its entrance is off Ashgrove Road West.

Park & Ride
A Park and Ryde system is also available. Please click here for more information about prices, routes and timetables.

Route planners
AA Route Planner
RAC Travel Services

Travel in Aberdeen

Travel by Local Bus

Bus information is available on First website or telephone on +44 (0)1224 650065. Aberdeen buses require the exact fare, so have some change ready or buy a FirstDay ticket which is an unlimited travel ticket and can be purchased on the bus at any time of day for 3. FirstDay tickets are valid all day on all routes except Park & Ride, the late night buses and open top tours from the time of purchase until 12 midnight.

For a list of buses and pick-up points around the University of Aberdeen campus, click here.

Refunds

Cancellations will be accepted in writing until 4 October 2006 and a refund less 15 administration charge will be issued.

After 4 October 2006, neither full or partial refunds can be given.

Please note that no refunds of less than 15 can be issued.

Official letter 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.

Email: meetings@biochemistry.org

Biochemical Society contact details

If you have any questions please contact:

The Meetings Office
The Biochemical Society
Third Floor
Eagle House
16 Procter Street
London WC1V 6NX

Tel: +44 (0)20 7280 4150
Fax: +44 (0)20 7280 4167

Email: meetings@biochemistry.org
www.biochemistry.org/meetings

Useful web pages

Useful travel pages