Venue: University of St Andrews
This Biochemical Society Focused meeting is to be held at St Andrews University. 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:
University of St Andrews
Conference and Group Services
79 North Street
St Andrews
Fife
KY16 9AD
Map of St Andrews
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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.
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.
Visit St Andrews
Map of St Andrews
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Travelling to St Andrews
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 09:00 and 18:00 and less frequently at other times).
Several taxi companies operate between St. Andrews and Edinburgh airport. If you wish to book a taxi in advance between Edinburgh Airport and The University of St Andrews campus, please contact one of the following companies:
Golf Taxi
Club Cars
A2B Taxis
Town and Country Taxis
Please note that The Biochemical Society will arrange for transport from The University of St Andrews campus to Edinburgh Airport after the meeting has ended, on 21 August at 16:00. Please contact our Meetings Office if you wish to secure a place.
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
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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 venue maps and delegate information. Please bring the email with you to the conference.
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.
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Poster abstract submission
Poster abstract submission deadline: Monday 16 June 2008
Abstract submission is now closed.
Abstracts will only be accepted via online submission.
Has my abstract been accepted?
After abstract submission you should have received a unique 5 digit submission number which will identify your abstract. If you did 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.
Please be aware that poster presenters not registered by the early registration deadline (16 June 2008) will have their abstract automatically withdrawn.
Poster size: 1m wide x 2m high
Velcro to mount your poster will be provided at the meeting.
All poster abstracts will be available to view online two weeks prior to the meeting.
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Registration 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.
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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.
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Student travel grants
The maximum 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 (16 June 2008) 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 Ph.D. graduates for up to 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; 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.
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Accommodation
Single ensuite accommodation will be provided for all residential delegates at New Hall, University of St Andrews on 19 and 20 August.
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Refreshments
Refreshments and lunch will be provided for all delegates for the duration of the meeting and will be included in the registration fee. Residential delegates will also be provided with dinner on 19 August at no extra cost. If you wish to book for the gala dinner on 20 August this will be an extra cost to your registration for all delegates.
Dietary requirements
Should you have any special dietary requirements, please indicate this on the registration form. Alternatively, please inform Portland Customer Services (registration@portland-services.com) as changes to the menu cannot be made at the meeting.
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Science programme
The Science programme
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Disabled access
Disabled access is available. It would be helpful if you could let the Meetings Office (meetings@biochemistry.org) know in advance if you require any special assistance during your stay.
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Social Programme
The Social programme comprises of a Meeting dinner and ceilidh on Wednesday 20 August.
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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:
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 'SA079 - 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
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Sponsors and trade exhibitors
Biochemical Society Transactions
Portland Press Ltd
Bio-Rad Laboratories Ltd
The Genetics Society
Operon Biotechnologies
Society for General Microbiology
Thistle Scientific
Molecular Microbiology Journal
If you are interested in sponsoring this meeting or having a trade exhibition stand, please contact Emily Roberts on meetings@biochemistry.org for more information.
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Refunds
Cancellations will be accepted in writing until Tuesday 05 August 2008, and a refund less 15 administration charge will be issued.
After this date, neither full nor partial refunds can be given. Please note that no refunds of less than 15 can be issued.
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Contact us
If you have any questions please contact;
The Meetings Office
Biochemical Society
Third Floor
Eagle House
16 Procter Street
London WC1V 6NX
Tel: (Meetings Office) +44 (0)20 7280 4150
Fax: (Main Reception) +44 (0)20 7280 4167
Email: meetings@biochemistry.org
www.biochemistry.org
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