Integrated Mechanisms of Cellular Identity and Homeostasis
Cambridge, UK, 26-27 June, 2008
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Organisers
Anne Corcoran, The Babraham Institute, Cambridge, UK
Martin Turner, The Babraham Institute, Cambridge, UK
Raghu Padinjat, The Babraham Institute, Cambridge, UK
Introduction
As a result of the complete sequencing of the genomes of numerous species, we now have all the genetic information to embark on the enormous task of functional genomics – to understand the function and regulation of every gene in the genome. To that end, the major goal is currently to unravel the ‘epigenetic code' , the complex combination of DNA and chromatin modifications, thought to be controlled by a myriad of transcription factors, chromatin remodelling enzymes, and as yet poorly understood processes including non-coding RNA transcription. This new era has produced enormous new possibilities, but also previously uncharted challenges. Most recently, the advent of high throughput sequencing and chromatin analytical methods has created the new field of epigenomics – the potential to study epigenetic mechanisms on a genome-wide scale never before envisaged. Thus understanding the large-scale, developmental regulation of genes and the dynamic organisation of chromosomes is now a much more tangible goal. In parallel, major advances in transcriptomics and proteomics have demonstrated that complex as the genome is, including 30,000 genes and multiple regulatory processes, the proteome is vastly more complicated, with up to a million different proteins involved in multiple signalling networks. Consequently, systems biology is evolving rapidly in recent years to provide a co-ordinated approach of combined quantitative experimentation and mathematical modelling to process, understand and integrate all the information generated by large-scale methodologies.
The meeting will focus on the sea-change in scientific direction that will occur in the next decade as a result of advances in genomics and integrative biology. The themes of the conference reflect the main areas of the Babraham Institute's world–leading research: epigenetics and signalling. The ‘Epigenetic mechanisms in development' theme will address the key ‘hot' topics in epigenetics and epigenomics with talks by world leaders in each area. These include the epigenetic factors and processes that control stem cell programming and genomic imprinting (Azim Surani, Robert Feil, Austin Smith, Yehudit Bergman, Mandy Fisher), higher order chromatin structure and dynamic nuclear organization of the genome (Wendy Bickmore, Tom Misteli), roles of DNA methylation in health and disease (Adrian Bird, Robert Feil), X chromosome inactivation (Jeannie Lee).
The ‘Cellular Responses to the Environment' component of the conference places a major focus on large-scale integrative strategies for understanding cellular signalling, in particular bringing together several world-leaders currently applying systems biology approaches to complex signalling questions. These include Lew Cantley (Harvard Professor of Systems Biology, systematic identification of protein kinase substrates using bioinformatic prediction and large-scale peptide library screening); Anjano Rao (genome-wide Drosophila RNAi screen identifying novel regulators of NFAT); Dennis Bray (systems biology pioneer, mathematical modeling of signalling pathways in bacteria); Julian Downward (genome wide screening of critical growth regulators in human oncogenesis). They are complemented by Gita Stockinger and Steve Jameson (T cell homeostasis in health and disease) and Doreen Cantrell (integration of serine kinase signalling pathways).
The aim is to explore these themes, concentrating on emerging systems biology approaches in both disciplines. There will be a major focus on exploiting functional genomics, in particular large-scale sequencing and screening. The work of several speakers already spans these two themes (Nicholas Spitzer, genetic programmes and calcium signalling in neuronal stem cells; Anjana Rao, chromatin regulation of lymphocyte commitment, Nal Divecha, cytoplasmic and nuclear phosphoinositide signalling). The aim is to exchange ideas and find integrative solutions as each discipline negotiates uncharted post-genomic superhighways of information.
Wednesday 25th June: Registration Reception in the Combination Rooms at Homerton College, Cambridge starting at 18.00 hours; buffet and drinks from 18.30 hours onwards.
Thursday 26th June: Registration at 08.30 hours. The main programme will start at 08.55 hours and will include refreshment breaks and lunch. The poster session will begin at 17.30 hours with pre dinner drinks. The Gala Dinner and entertainment will follow at 19.00 hours.
Friday 27th June: The main programme will start at 08.55 hours and will include refreshments breaks and lunch and will finish at 17.30 hours.
The Conference will be housed in the beautiful country estate setting of the Babraham Institute, 5 miles south of Cambridge, with state of the art conference and entertainment facilities. Delegates will be accommodated at Homerton College in Cambridge, thus adding interest to delegates with the unique experience of Cambridge college life. Coach transport will be provided between the two sites.
Registration
Registration is closed..
Welcome: Michael Wakelam (Babraham Institute Director)
Theme 1 Epigenetic Mechanisms in development (split into two morning sessions)
Chairs (John Gurdon, Anne Ferguson-Smith)
Plenary Speaker:
Azim Surani (Cambridge) germ cells, epigenetics
Other speakers
Austin Smith (Cambridge) neuronal stem cell differentiation
Yehudit Bergman (Jerusalem) chromatin, stem cell/lymphocyte development
Robert Feil (Montpellier) imprinting/chromatin ex BI
Jeannie Lee (Harvard) X-chromosome inactivation
Adrian Bird ( Edinburgh ) DNA methylation
Tom Misteli (NIH) genome-wide nuclear organisation
Wendy Bickmore (Edinburgh) chromatin organisation and nuclear composition
Amanda Fisher (London) epigenetic regulation of stem cells
Evening Speaker: Richard Dyer
Theme 2 Cellular responses to the environment (split into two afternoon sessions)
Chairs (Michael Berridge, Robin Irvine)
Plenary Speaker:
Lew Cantley (Harvard) phosphoinositide signalling
Other speakers
Nal Divecha (NKI Amsterdam) inositide signalling/DNA damage response
Gita Stockinger (Mill Hill) inflammatory response, TGFb signalling
Anjana Rao (Harvard) calcium/transcription factor/immune response
Dennis Bray (Cambridge) Mathematical modelling/signalling networks
Julian Downward (Londo ) Ras/PI3K in cancer/genome-wide human RNAi
Steve Jameson (Minnesota) T cell homeostasis
Nicholas Spitzer (San Diego) calcium /neuronal stem cells
Doreen Cantrell (Dundee) Protein kinase signalling in lymphocytes
