Target Validation using Genomics and Informatics (Virtual Conference)

We are pleased to announce the 5^th conference on Target Validation using Genomics and Informatics. This meeting is organised in association with EMBL.

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 conference 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. The programme will also explore the emerging technologies in drug discovery, including AI and machine learning.  There will also be a focus on the challenges in clinical trials and translation into the clinic for the benefit of patients.

This meeting will bring together researchers based in academia, biotech and pharma to focus on the opportunities and challenges in using genomics and informatics in drug discovery and validation.

The conference will start at approximately 13.00 on 4 May and finish at about 17.30 pm on 6 May 2022. All times are given in BST. See the time where you are here.

Topics will include:

• Genetics at scale
• Disease at scale
• Understanding and validation of target function
• Understanding and validation of drug function
• Translation into the clinic
• Emerging technologies for drug discovery

Scientific programme committee

Mark McCarthy
Genentech, USA

Gitte Neubauer
GSK, Germany

Oliver Stegle
German Cancer Research Centre Germany

Gosia Trynka
Open Targets, UK

Keynote speaker

Aviv Regev
Genentech, USA

Confirmed speakers

Carl Anderson – Wellcome Sanger Institute, UK
Christoph Bock – CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences
Michael Boutros – German Cancer Research Center, Germany
Daphne Koller – Insitro, USA
Klio Maratou – GlaxoSmithKline, UK
Ellie McDonagh – EMBL-EBI, UK
Adele Mitchell – Biogen, USA
Robert Plenge – Bristol Myers Squibb, USA
James Sidaway – Apconix, UK
Kari Stefansson – deCODE genetics, Iceland
Cristen Willer – University of Michigan, USA
Eleftheria Zeggini – Helmholtz Munich, Germany

Organisers – Wellcome Connecting Science

Lucy Criddle  –  Conference & Events Organiser
Treasa Creavin – Scientific Programme Manager

Bursary deadline: 8 March 2022  | Registration deadline: 25 April 2022

Registration includes:

• access to the virtual event portal (Log in details will be emailed a few days before the event starts)
• live-stream sessions, including posters and online networking channels
• recordings of the live-stream sessions, available ‘on-demand’ for four weeks after the event ends

*To increase the international diversity of attendees and promote more inclusive scientific discussions at our conferences, delegates based in Lower and Middle-Income Countries can register for free (see list of countries here).

If you are in need of financial support and would like to apply for a bursary, please follow the instructions below.

Bursaries

A limited number of bursaries are available to cover up to 100% of the registration fee.

To apply, please complete your event registration and bursary application via this unique link before the bursary deadline. For your application to be considered and your place reserved, you must also submit the following supporting documents:

• letter stating financial need and explaining how you will benefit from attending the event
• brief CV

We will be contact with the result of your application shortly after the bursary deadline.

If you have any questions, please contact the conference organiser.

Abstract deadline: 8 March 2022

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. You are welcome to submit a second abstract, please follow the instruction below.

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.

All those accepted for a poster presentation will be given the opportunity to upload a short video describing their work

Submitting abstracts after completed registration:

1. Login to your account via ‘My Account’.
2. Click on ‘View account history’ to show a table of your event registrations.
3. Select the appropriate conference
4. Click on ‘Upload file’ (in right hand column).
5. Select ‘Abstract’ and upload via the abstract form.
6. If you wish to upload a second abstract, click on ‘Additional Abstract’ and again upload via the abstract form.

Please note: documents submitted via ‘Supporting Documents’ are for bursary applications only and cannot be seen during the abstract selection process.

Target validation using chemical probes

Keynote lecture by Aled Edwards Structural Genomics Consortium, Canada

Feedback from previous conferences:

“Excellent speakers and opportunity to meet and speak with current and prospective collaborators and colleagues” (2017)

“Broadened my understanding of diverse activities in the target validation field. Made and developed critical contacts outside my organization” (2017)

“Great opportunity to really understand the practical ways in which academic research and industry need to interact and engage together to advance medical science” (2015)

“The conference was a delight. There was a fantastic balance between academia and industry, both in terms of
attendees as well as presentations” (2015)