Virus Genomics, Evolution and Bioinformatics

Our 5th conference on virus genomics and evolution will also showcase cutting-edge use of bioinformatics to answer questions relevant to genomics and the evolution of viruses.

The meeting will focus on how viruses adapt and evolve in and between hosts, as well as exploring recent developments in virus epidemics and outbreaks. Discussions will cover bioinformatics in virus public health and upcoming therapeutic approaches to viruses. Viruses of plants and animals will be highlighted, as will zoonoses and the impact of viruses in the changing world.

The programme will include podium presentations selected from abstracts submitted on the broad themes of the conference. Posters and poster-pitch talks will provide opportunities to present research findings or get feedback on ongoing projects.

The conference will bring together evolutionary biologists and bioinformaticians, who are developing methods and models to interrogate genomic data, along with international participants working in diagnostic and public health. There will be plenty of opportunities to establish collaborations through face-to-face networking with inclusive meals, and optional on-site accommodation.

The conference will run from approximately 12:50 GMT on Wednesday 6 November 2024 until approximately 14:00 GMT on Friday 8 November 2024.

Discussions will focus on a variety of exciting topics, including:

• Adaptation and evolution: virus dynamics within and between hosts
• Applied bioinformatics for public health
• Epidemics and outbreaks
• Plants, animals and zoonoses
• Vaccines and treatments
• Viruses in the changing world.

Scientific programme committee

M. Kate Grabowski
Johns Hopkins University, USA

Christian Happi
Redeemer's University, Nigeria

Nick Loman
University of Birmingham, UK

Katrina Lythgoe
University of Oxford, UK

Keynote speakers

Tanja Stadler
ETH Zürich, Switzerland

Meera Chand
Public Health England, UK

Confirmed speakers

Samuel Alizon
CNRS, Paris, France

Karthik Anantharaman
Univeristy of Wisconsin-Madison, USA

Rachel Colquhoun
University of Edinburgh, UK

George Githinji
KEMRI | Wellcome Trust, Kenya

Emily Gurley
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, USA

Tanya Golubchik
University of Sydney, Australia

Sarah Hill
Royal Veterinary College, UK

C. Jessica E Metcalf
Princeton Univeristy, USA

Ingra Morales Claro
University of São Paulo (USP), Brazil

Thomas Peacock
The Pirbright Institute, UK

David Robertson
University of Glasgow, UK

Adi Stern
Tel Aviv University, Israel

Organisers - Wellcome Connecting Science

Registration deadline: 8 October (in person) | 29 October 2024 (virtual)

Deadlines close at 23.59 BST

Payments: Please note that payment can only be made with Mastercard or Visa credit cards.

Accommodation

Booked accommodation is for the nights of  6 and 7 November 2024.
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 campus accommodation either side of the conference dates, please contact the Hinxton Hall Conference Centre directly.

Accommodation services phishing scam – please be vigilant. More information.

Travel visas

Citizens of many countries can travel to the UK for a course without needing a visa.
Please check the UK government website for visitor information
https://www.gov.uk/standard-visitor. 

Confirmed attendees requiring a letter to support a visa application should contact the conference organiser.

Bursaries

Bursary deadline: 30 July 2024 at 23.59 BST

Wellcome Connecting Science offers registration bursaries (usually 50% of the registration fee) to those who would benefit from training but face financial barriers to attending events.

Bursary applications need to be completed in the online course application form before the deadline. Please be prepared to explain why you are applying for funding and to answer questions about your work. Submit your application before the bursary deadline to ensure it is considered.

Additional funding opportunities
Visit our support page for information on financial support, including carer grants to help delegates with the costs of caring for children or dependent family members while attending a course or a conference.

Abstract deadline: 10 September 2024 at 23:59 BST

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. Presenters of oral presentations are expected to be onsite for the duration of the conference, whereas those presenting posters can do so in person or virtually.

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 can make changes to your submitted abstract before of the deadline by logging into your account and following the instructions.

If you have already completed your registration and subsequently wish to submit an abstract, or wish to submit a second abstract, please follow these instructions.

The scientific programme committee will assess your abstract after the deadline has passed and you will be notified whether you have been selected to present 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; poster board numbers will be allocated at the conference. All those accepted for a poster presentation will be given the opportunity to upload a short video describing their work.

If you are interested in supporting this meeting, please contact the conference organiser.

Feedback from Virus Genomics and Evolution 2022:

‘This was by far one of the best scientific meetings I have attended. The structure of the conference, and particularly the structure of the poster sessions, meals, and breaks, provided an incredible opportunity to meet and exchange ideas with other attendees, beyond anything I have experienced in other scientific meetings’.

‘I’ve been to this conference since its inception. I’ve always found it to be excellent’.

‘Excellent presentations and posters. Good networking. Amazing facilities’.

Amazing venue, that allowed the audience to get involved by asking questions, interacting in small groups, and networking freely’.

‘By having a tightly focused theme and drawing phenomenal participants, this conference was hit after hit after hit’.

‘I thought the lightning talks were a good addition that I haven’t experienced at other conferences – I presented a poster and spoke to a couple of people who had been interested after hearing my lighting talk’.

‘Great variety of talks and presentations. Gathering different scientific areas together to understand patterns of viral evolution and monitoring that will help with disease and outbreaks prevention’.