Target Validation using Genomics and Informatics

We are pleased to announce the 3rd annual conference on Target Validation
Using Genomics and Informatics, organised in association with EMBL. This conference will bring together scientists
and industry specialists using cutting-edge technologies to discover
biological targets and develop effective therapies.

In the past few years, exceptional progress has been made in making
available thousands of DNA variants that are robustly associated with
clinically relevant human traits.  This is providing a rich source
of molecular points for drug discovery and a deeper understanding of
human biology. This meeting will highlight advances in the use of
high-throughput methods and functional validation techniques that can
influence the selection of new drug targets and the development of
precision medicine. We will discuss the progress and challenges of using
gene editing (e.g. CRISPR) in human cells to develop validation
approaches. The programme will also present recent advances in
visualisation techniques, computational tools and new platforms that
provide data integration and can enhance the user experience.

This meeting will bring together researchers based in academia and
industry to focus on the opportunities and challenges for genomics in
drug discovery. Multi-omics (e.g. genomics, proteomics, transcriptomics),
epidemiology, molecular biology and computational approaches will be
covered, focusing on the contributions of these methods to target
validation.

The conference will start at approximately 13.00 on Wednesday, 6 December
and close at approximately 14.00 on Friday, 8 December 2017.

Scientific topics include:

• Genetic epidemiology
• Phenotypic responses
• Target deconvolution
• Functional studies
• Human knockouts
• Gene editing
• Bioinformatics
• Cell biology and screening

A draft programme is now available

Scientific programme committee
Jeff Barrett Wellcome Trust Sanger
Institute, UK
Ewan Birney EMBL-EBI, UK
Sally John Biogen, USA
Gitte Neubauer GSK, Germany

Keynnote speakers
Aled Edwards Structural Genomics Consortium,
Canada
Nicole Soranzo Wellcome Trust Sanger
Institute, UK

Confirmed speakers
Michael
Boutros German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Germany
Adam Butterworth University of Cambridge,
UK
Christine Donahue GSK, USA
Mathew Garnett Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, UK
Anders Malarstig Pfizer, Sweden
Soumya Raychaudhuri Harvard University,
USA
Samuli Ripatti University of Helsinki,
Finland
Kate Tilling University of Bristol, UK
Chris Wallace University of Cambridge, UK
Judith Zaugg EMBL, Germany

Conference organiser
Lucy Criddle 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: 7 November 2017

Accommodation
Accommodation is provided for the nights of 6 and 7, December 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
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 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: Closed

Abstract guidelines can be viewed here.