Background

Advances in sequence analysis, transcriptional profiling, protein structural elucidation and other genomic techniques are producing an overwhelming accumulation of data and the shift in the way biological research is conducted. As new disciplines are integrated, the "Virtual Conferences on Genomics and Bioinformatics" provides an advanced collaborative environment for the exchange and discussion of information related to innovations of the post-genomic era. Since 2001 the Virtual Conferences are featuring high profile researchers working actively in the development of new applications to understand complex biological systems. Without registration fees, and using the Access Grid technology and live video streaming the 2002 Virtual Conference was broadcast simultaneously to more 2000 researchers in 40 countries.

The Goals of the Virtual Conferences on Genomics and Bioinformatics are:

• Transcend geographical and economical barriers for the exchange of ideas that facilitates the interaction and collaboration among scientists and educators around the world.
• Address the benefits and limitations of the newest developments in post-genomic technologies.
• Explore the social and ethical implications of genomic and bioinformatic research.
• Establish new ways to introduce the high school community to today's multidisciplinary science.

• 2003 VCGB Topics and Speakers

• 
  Computational Chemistry and Structural Genomics. Track Organizer: Kim Baldrigde, San Diego Supercomputer Center. USA
• 
  Kim Baldrigde, San Diego Supercomputer Center. USA
• Nathan Baker, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine. USA
• Jim Briggs, University of Houston. USA
• Jan Jensen, University of Iowa. USA
• Julie Mitchell, University of Wisconsin, Madison. USA
  
  Complex Biological Systems: Deanne Taylor. Track Organizer: Serono Reproductive Biology. USA
  
  George M. Church, Harvard Medical School & MIT Health Sciences & Technology. USA
  
• Toni Kazic, University of Missouri Columbia. USA
  
• Eberhard Voit, Medical University of South Carolina. USA
  Deanne Taylor. Serono Reproductive Biology. USA
  
• Andreas Wagner, University of New Mexico. USA
  
• Yaneer Bar-Yam, New England Complex Systems Institute. USA
  
  RNA-interference:
  
  Michael T. McManus, Center for Cancer Research. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA
• Ali Shilatifard, Saint Louis University Cancer Center, USA
  
  Genomics of Infectious Diseases:
  
  Larry Simpson Howard Hughes Medical Institute/UCLA. USA
  Jose Stoute, US Army Medical Research Command. USA
  John H Adams, Center for Tropical Disease Research & Training. University of Notre Dame. USA
  
  Bioinformatics
  
  Douglas L. Brutlag, Stanford University. USA
  Carole Goble, University of Manchester. United Kingdom
  Elia Stupka, Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory. Singapore
  Akihiko Konagaya, RIKEN Genomic Sciences Center. Japan
  David Sankoff, Department of Mathematics and Statistics. University of Ottawa. Canada
  
• Mark Wilkinson, Illuminae Media. Canada
  
  Transcriptional Analysis:
  
  Bruce Aronow, Cincinnati Childrens Hospital Medical Center. USA
  Kristy Meyers, Spotfire. USA
  Eric Blalock, University of Kentucky. USA
  
• 
  
• Bioethics and Intellectual Property Rights Protection:
  
  Dennis Fernandez, Fernandez and Associates LLP. USA

Ways to Participate

1. Fargo Access Grid Location (We have only space for 250 people)
   
2. Other Access Grid Locations around the world
   
   The Access Grid creates an environment that allows participants to feel as if they are engaged personally rather than in the stiff structured environment of a typical videoconference. The Access Grid nodes are typically housed in small rooms; however the Fargo Access Grid will seat about 300 people. Most of the other nodes will remain in the smaller rooms. About 20 Access Grid nodes (world-wide) will participate in this third conference. Participants at all Access Grid Locations can ask questions directly to the speakers. If you are interested in hosting such a group please complete this form
3. 
   
4. Real Player Live Streaming at selected locations around the world.

   The Real Player Live version will be hosted in locations where an Access Grid is not available. We invite you to organize small to medium size groups to participate in the conference together via this media. If you are interested in hosting such a group please complete this form
   

Registration and Fees

Although registration is required, there are no required registration fees to participate in the conference.

• To attend at the Fargo Access Grid Location please register using this form
• Registration procedures for the other Access Grid Locations and Real Player Locations will be available soon.
• To receive further information on these registration procedures please subscribe to our mailing list