Ancient Biomolecules of Plants, Animals and Microbes

Developments in DNA extraction and sequencing methods have resolved many technical issues that previously hampered ancient DNA research. At this conference, global leaders in will present updates in ancient DNA research from across a diverse range of evolutionary areas.

Advances in migration, adaptation, domestication, and admixture will be highlighted, as will new insights into phylogeny and population history. Discussions will explore theoretical topics, such as rates of evolutionary change, in addition to more practical issues about species and population response to climate change and anthropogenic impacts. Conservation and extinction will be discussed, as well as best practices and novel approaches to data generation and analysis.

We invite abstract submissions on all areas relevant to the themes of the meeting. In-person posters and lightning talks will provide opportunities to present research findings or discuss ongoing work with others working in related fields.

This friendly meeting aims to be highly interactive and improve knowledge dissemination between different areas of ancient biomolecule research. Face-to-face networking opportunities are facilitated at Hinxton Hall Conference Centre with optional on-site accommodation.

The conference will run from 13:00 BST on Monday 3 June 2024 until approximately 14:00 on Wednesday 5 June.

Topics will include:

• Better methods more resolution
• Ancient animals
• Ancient plants
• Ancient microbes and marine fauna
• Conservation and extinction
• Ancient proteins
• Ancient environmental DNA

Scientific programme committee

Selina Brace
Natural History Museum, UK

Hernán A. Burbano
UCL, UK

Greger Larson
University of Oxford, UK

Anne Stone
Arizona State University, USA

Keynote speakers

Jessica Hendy
University of York, UK

Andrea Manica
University of Cambridge, UK

Confirmed speakers

Simon Aeschbacher 
University of Zurich, Switzerland

Ellie Armstrong 
Washington Research Foundation, USA

Enrico Cappelini
University of Copenhagen, Denmark

Matthew Collins
University of Cambridge, UK

Laurent Frantz
Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Germany

Peter Heintzman 
Stockholm University, Sweden 

Evelyn Jensen
University of Newcastle, UK 

Patricia Lang
University of California, Berkeley, USA

Edana Lord
Stockholm University, Sweden 

Victoria Mullin
Trinity College Dublin, Ireland

Irina Velsko
Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Germany

Benjamin Vernot
Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Germany

Organiser - Wellcome Connecting Science

Jemma Hume – Event Organiser
Jane Murphy – Programme Developer

In person registration deadline:  7 May 2024

Deadlines close at 23.59 BST.

The in-person registration fee includes:

• Full access to scientific programme: oral and poster presentations, and networking on campus
• Meals (lunch and dinner) and refreshments during the conference. Breakfast will be provided for delegates who have booked onsite accommodation.

If you are an editor or journalist, please contact the conference organiser for more information about the discounted fee.

Accommodation

Booked accommodation is for the nights of  3 and 4 June 2024.
Please note: there is limited onsite accommodation and this will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis; therefore, early registration is recommended. If you wish to book campus accommodation either side of the conference dates, please contact the Hinxton Hall Conference Centre directly.

Accommodation services phishing scam – please be vigilant. More information.

Travel visas

Citizens of many countries can travel to the UK for a course without needing a visa.
Please check the UK government website for visitor information
https://www.gov.uk/standard-visitor. 

Confirmed attendees requiring a letter to support a visa application should contact the conference organiser.

Bursary deadline: extended to 9 April 2024 at 23.59 BST.

Registration bursaries (usually 50% of the registration fee) are available to attend this conference in person. Priority will be given to early carer researchers who are facing financial barriers.

To apply, use the dedicated bursary application link on the registration site.

Please be prepared to explain why you are applying for funding and to answer questions about your work. Submit your application before the bursary deadline to ensure it is considered.

Additional funding opportunities
Visit our support page for information on financial support, including carer grants to help delegates with the costs of caring for children or dependent family members while attending a course or a conference.

Abstract deadline for lightning talks and in person posters: 23 April 2024.

We welcome abstracts from all areas relevant to the main themes of the meeting.

Abstracts will only be considered from registered delegates. Please use our online abstract submission system and follow the instructions given to ensure your abstract is submitted correctly. All abstracts must be submitted by the deadline. You can make changes to your submitted abstract before of the deadline by logging into your account and following the instructions.

If you have already completed your registration and subsequently wish to submit an abstract, or wish to submit a second abstract, please follow these instructions.

The scientific programme committee will assess your abstract after the deadline has passed and you will be notified whether you have been selected to present an oral or poster presentation.

Poster boards onsite will accommodate 118 cm high by 84 cm wide (A0-portrait) of printed material. Accepted abstracts will appear in the conference programme book; poster board numbers will be allocated at the conference. All those accepted for a poster presentation will be given the opportunity to upload a short video describing their work.

If you are interested in supporting this meeting, please contact us.

For more information about the benefits of having a presence at this meeting, see our sponsorship page.

Feedback from Ancient Biomolecules of Plants, Animals and Microbes 2021 virtual conference:

‘My research increasingly touches on areas of bio molecular methods and I found I didn’t know enough despite reading papers! This conference showed me the extent of what can now be done and how much potential there might be for collaboration with my research’.

‘I liked the session ranges and the different topics within them’.

‘Some of the presentations were spectacular’.

‘Interesting oral presentations. Great presenter gender balance in all the sessions. Great efforts by the organising committee to make an online conference as engaging and smooth as possible’.

‘Would 100% recommend to colleagues working in the aDNA field’.