Ecology, Evolution and Genomics of C. elegans and Other Nematodes

We are pleased to announce the 5th Ecology, Evolution, and Genomics of
C. elegans and other Model Nematodes conference. This meeting
will highlight the power of worm systems and genomics to answer a range
of ecological and evolutionary questions.

The combination of genomic tools and experimental nematode systems has
allowed us to answer mechanistic and evolutionary questions about what
makes organisms and systems the way they are. In recent years, we have
seen a growing number of successful studies conducting comparative
functional genomics and quantitative genetic studies mapping genes to
traits (e.g. life-history traits, behaviours, etc). In this meeting, we
aim to highlight genomic resources and advances in growing fields such as
transgenerational epigenetic inheritance, stress responses, worm-microbe
responses, among others. We will review the strengths and challenges of
both worms and bacteria as model systems to examine host-microbe
interactions and evolution. The programme will also highlight new
techniques and high-throughput methods to study biomolecules produced by
worms to communicate and/or defend against pathogens and predators.

This conference plays a critical role in promoting interaction and
collaboration between evolutionary scientists training in C.
elegans tradition and the broader worm community. It is aimed at
scientists using Caenorhabditis, Pristionchus and
related species, and as well numerous animal- and plant-parasitic
nematodes.

The conference will start at approximately 12.30 on Thursday, 5 July and
close at approximately 14.00 on Saturday, 7 July 2018.

Scientific topics include

• • Evolutionary developmental biology
  • Epigenetics and stress responses
  • Worm-microbes interactions
  • Phenotypic variance and adaptation
  • Parasitism and pathogens
  • Mating systems and sexual interactions
  • Pheromone and communication
  • Population biology and speciation
  • Genomics, gene editing and emerging techniques

A programme
is available.

Scientific programme committee
Marie Delattre Ecole Normale – Lyon, France
Te-Wen Lo Ithaca College, USA
Patrick Phillips University of Oregon, USA
Erik Ragsdale Indiana University, USA

Keynote speakers
Mark Blaxter University of Edinburgh, UK
Marian Walhout University of Massachusetts Medical School, USA

Confirmed speakers
Charles Baer University of Florida, USA
Ryan Baugh Duke University, USA
Lauren Booth Standford University, USA
Rebecca Butcher University of Florida, USA
Lise Frezal IBENS CNRS, France
Eric Haag University of Maryland, USA
Elissa Hallem UCLA, USA
Ben Lehner Centre for Genomic Regulation, Spain
Annalise Paaby Georgia Institute of Technology, USA
Leah Houri-Ze’evi Tel-Aviv University, Israel
Frank Schroeder Boyce Thompson Institute and Cornell University, USA
Hinrich Schulenburg University of Kiel, Germany
Emily Troemel UC San Diego, USA
Nicole Vega Emory University, USA

Conference organiser
Zoey Willard 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.

*Owing to space constraints, the early-bird discount rate is limited to
100 delegates.

Registration deadlines
Early Bird registration: Closed
Standard registration: Closed

Accommodation
Accommodation is provided for the nights of 5 and 6 July 2018. 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
Contact the conference organiser if you require a letter to support a
travel visa application. Please note: letters will only be provided to
confirmed registrants.

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 standard registration fee)
from Wellcome Genome Campus Scientific Conferences.

The following documents will need to be provided:

• Abstract
• CV
• A justification letter from applicant
• A supporting letter from supervisor stating financial need

To apply, please contact the conference organiser.

Bursary deadline: Closed

Additional funding opportunities
Visit
our Funding webpage for additional funding opportunities currently
available.

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.

If you have already completed your registration and then subsequently
wish to upload an abstract, please follow the instructions below:

• Log back into your registration account using either Firefox or Internet Explorer as your browser.
• Click on “Account” (at the top right-hand side of the screen).
• Then click on “View account history”.
• This will show a table of your event registrations, with the right-hand column giving the options to “Upload file” – click on this and select to upload an abstract.
• Note that you will not receive another email confirmation that you have completed this, but it you wish to check that it has uploaded then you can log out of your account, then log back in again and you should then see your abstract attached to your registration.

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.