Genomic Epidemiology of Malaria

We are pleased to announce the 7th Genomic Epidemiology of Malaria
conference. This multidisciplinary meeting provides a forum for malaria
scientists and clinicians focused on understanding the clinical and
biological consequences of genome variation in malaria-exposed
populations. The conference will bring researchers from across the globe
working on various aspects of human, parasite and mosquito genetics
together to focus on how new biological insights can be used to control
malaria.

The elimination of malaria is one of the greatest challenges facing
modern medical science, and is hindered by growing levels of drug and
insecticide resistance and the lack of an effective vaccine. Knowledge of
genome variation in the host, parasite and vector populations is
important to overcome these and other obstacles to malaria elimination.

This year’s conference will focus on our current understanding of
transmission models and migration patterns, and the implications for
policies to eradicate malaria. We will also explore resistance to malaria
drugs and insecticides, and provide a forum to discuss biological
insights from recent advances in malaria genetics, including
host-parasite interactions.

The conference programme will start at approximately 13.00 on Monday 11
June and close with the conference dinner on Wednesday 13 June 2018 (with
departures on Thursday morning 14 June).

A draft programme will be available shortly.

Topics will include:

• Genomic methods of control
• Translational genomics: data, policy & elimination
• Understanding population structure & transmission biology
• Host-parasite interactions: biological insights
• Drug resistance & vaccination

Scientific programme committee
Philip Bejon KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme,
Kenya
Caroline Buckee Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health,
USA
Dominic Kwiatkowski University of Oxford,
UK
Mara Lawniczak Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, UK

Confirmed speakers
Sarah Auburn Menzies, Australia
Hsiao-Han Chang Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health,
USA
Thomas Churcher Imperial College London, UK
Mallika Imwong Mahidol University,
Thailand
Hilary Ranson Liverpool School of Tropical
Medicine, UK
Amanda Ross Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute,
Switzerland
David Serre University of Maryland, USA
Philip Welkhoff Gates Foundation, USA
Nikolai Windbichler Imperial College London, UK

Conference organiser
Sue Taylor 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 deadlines

Early Bird: 20 March 2018
Standard Registration: 15 May 2018

Accommodation
Accommodation is provided for the nights of 11, 12 and 13 June 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: www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/

Information for general visitors and business visitors: www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/visiting/business/business-activities/

A limited number of registration and travel bursaries are available for
researchers from malaria-endemic regions to attend this conference. These
have been generously provided by the Burroughs Wellcome Fund, Bill &
Melinda Gates Foundation, MRC Centre for Genomics and Global Health and
Wellcome Genome Campus Scientific Conferences programme.

The following documents will need to be provided:

• Abstract
• Covering letter
• Letter of support from supervisor

To apply, please contact the conference organiser.

Bursary deadline: 3 April 2018

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. 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: 17 April 2018

Abstract guidelines can be viewed here.