Human Evolution: Fossils, Ancient and Modern Genomes

This new conference will celebrate the maturity of the ancient DNA field.
The meeting will bring together genomic specialists, palaeontologists,
archaeologists, primatologists, medical geneticists and other researchers
interested in human evolution.

The combination of genome sequencing tools, recent archaeological and
palaeontological discoveries is reshaping our understanding of both human
evolution and history. This meeting will highlight the emerging
archaeological discoveries and advances in ancient DNA methods that are
transforming the field. For example, we will explore the use of
genomic tools and large-scale analysis of ancient nuclear DNA to
deciphering population mixing, complex migration patterns and the role of
adaptive introgression in human evolution. The meeting will also include
discussions of current developments and challenges of characterising the
evolution and changing ecology of the human microbiome and the use of
non-humans such as apes and other model species to learn about our own
evolution.

We encourage participation from researchers and specialists interested in
disseminating and learning the latest cutting-edge advances in sample
analysis, genomic techniques and analytical tools used to study human
evolution.

The conference will start at approximately 12.30 on Monday, 20 November
and close at approximately 14.00 on Wednesay, 22 November 2017.

Scientific topics include

• Ancient DNA advances and emerging archaeological discoveries
• Large-scale analysis of ancient nuclear DNA
• Origins of modern humans and the importance of Africa
• Migration of modern humans from Africa into East Asia and the Americas
• Archaic introgression
• Human microbiome evolution
• Apes and other model species
• Human evolution, adaptation and disease

View the conference programme here.

Scientific programme committee
Jonathan Pritchard Stanford University, USA
Chris Tyler-Smith Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, UK
Michael Westaway Griffith University, Australia
Yali Xue Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, UK

Keynote speakers
Svante Pääbo Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Germany
Chris Stringer Natural History Museum, UK

Confirmed speakers
Qiaomei Fu Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
Brenna Henn Stony Brook University, USA
Janet Kelso Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Germany
Johannes Krause Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History, Germany
Tomas Marques-Bonet Institut de Biologia Evolutiva, Spain
Marta Mirazon Lahr University of Cambridge, UK
Rasmus Nielsen University of California, Berkeley, USA
Jonathan Pritchard Stanford University, USA
Molly Przeworski Columbia University, USA
Lluis Quintana-Murci Institut Pasteur, France
David Reich Harvard Medical School, USA
Christina Warinner University of Oklahoma, USA
Michael Westaway Griffith University, Australia
Eske Willerslev University of Cambridge, UK

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.

Registration deadline: Closed

Accommodation
Accommodation is provided for the nights of 20 and 21 November 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: 12 September 2017

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: Closed

Abstract guidelines can be viewed here.