Animal Genetics and Diseases

This new conference will bring together specialists working on the
interface between genomics, genetic engineering and infectious disease
with the aims of improving animal and human health and welfare.

Breakthroughs in genomic technologies have rapidly increased scientific
understanding of the fundamental role that host and pathogen genetics
play in how infections spread, and how they further affect the
productivity of livestock systems and food supply chains. We have now the
tools for real-time surveillance of zoonoses affecting wildlife, farm
animals and animal-to-human disease transmission.

This meeting will showcase recent advances in genomics, genome editing,
and mathematical techniques to understand disease resistance, pathogen
evolution and vaccination success. We will discuss the progress and the
lessons learned from combining genomic technologies with advanced
quantitative methods to combat epidemics and improve livestock systems.
The programme will also present advances of precision medicine in
companion animals, translational medicine, as well as the societal issues
and challenges surrounding animal welfare and regulation.

We encourage registrations from researchers, breeding companies and
technical specialists interested in disseminating and learning the latest
cutting-edge techniques and methodologies across model species, wildlife,
livestock and companion animals.

*Photograph credit: The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh &
Landcatch Natural Selection Ltd.

The conference will start at approximately 13.00 on Wednesday, 20
September and close at approximately 14.00 on Friday, 22 September 2017.

Scientific sessions

• Genetics of the immune response and disease resistance
• Genetically engineered livestock (including genome editing)
• Quantitative genetics and epigenetics applied to disease
• Epidemiology and pathogen evolution
• Bioinformatics, comparative and functional genomics
• Precision medicine of animal companions
• Societal issues and challenges, including animal welfare and regulation

A draft programme is available.

Scientific programme committee
Leif Andersson Uppsala University, Sweden
Andrea Doeschl-Wilson The Roslin Institute, UK
Mark Fife The Pirbright Institute, UK
Helen Sang The Roslin Institute, UK

Keynote speaker
Peter Parham Stanford University, USA

Confirmed speakers
Dan Andersson Uppsala University, Sweden
Katie Beckett Regulatory Delivery, BEIS Government Department, UK
Linda Dixon The Pirbright Institute, UK
Krista Fischer University of Tartu, Estonia
Michel Georges University of Liège, Belgium
Liz Glass University of Edinburgh, UK
John Hammond The Pirbright Institute, UK
Ross Houston The Roslin Institute, UK
Linda Keeling Swedish University of
Agricultural Sciences, Sweden
Pieter Knap Genus-PIC, Germany
Susan Lamont Iowa State University, USA
Louise Matthews University of Glasgow, UK
Vish Nene International Livestock Research Institute, Kenya
Elaine Ostrander National Institutes of Health, USA
Benjamin Schusser Technical University of Munich, Germany
Anna Wargelius Institute of Marine Research, Norway

Conference organiser
Gemma Wilkins Wellcome Genome Campus, UK

Registration Fees:

The registration fee includes entrance to the lectures and poster
sessions, an abstract book, meals (lunch and dinner) and refreshments
during the conference. Breakfast will be provided for delegates who have
booked accommodation.

Registration deadline: Closed

Accommodation
Accommodation is provided for the nights of 20 and 21 September 2017.
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 onsite accommodation either side of the conference
dates, please contact the Conference Centre directly.

Travel visas
Please contact the event organiser if you require a letter to support a
travel visa application, once your application has been successful. Note
that letters will be provided to confirmed attendee only.

Non-European Economic Area or Swiss nationals may be required to have a
visa to enter the UK.
Early application is strongly advised, as this process can take 6-8 weeks
or longer.

Please visit the following websites for further information:
UK Border Agency website and information for general visitors and business
visitors.

A limited number of registration bursaries are available for PhD students
to attend this conference (up to 50% of the registration fee) from
Wellcome Genome Campus Scientific Conferences.

The following documents will need to be provided:

• Abstract
• CV
• Covering letter
• Letter from supervisor

To apply, please contact the conference organiser.

Bursary deadline: Closed

We welcome abstracts from all areas relevant to the main themes of the
meeting, for both oral and poster presentations. Several oral
presentations will be chosen from the abstracts submitted.

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. If you are intending to submit more than one abstract, please contact the conference organiser prior to registration.

The scientific programme committee will assess your abstract after the
deadline has passed and you will be notified whether you have been
selected for 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 and poster boards will be allocated at the
conference.

Abstract deadline: Open for posters only

Abstract guidelines can be viewed here.