ESF Research Conferences

ESF-EMBO Symposium

B CELLS 2008: COMPLEXITY, INTEGRATION AND TRANSLATION

Chaired by

CHAIR:

JohnGordonE-Mail
University of BirminghamThe Medical SchoolDivision of Immunity & InfectionMRC Centre for Immune RegulationBirminghamUnited Kingdom

VICE-CHAIR:

RitaCarsettiE-Mail
Bambino Gesu Children Hospital (OPBG)University La SapienzaRomaItaly

Dates

16-21 May 2008

Location

Hotel Eden Roc, Sant Feliu de Guixols, Spain
The conference will take place in Sant Feliu de Guixols, on the Spanish Costa Brava, 120 km north of Barcelona and 30 km south of Girona. Group transportation will be arranged from/to Barcelona airport, on arrival and departure days.

Final Programme & List of Accepted Participants

Source: F. Batista, London Research Institute, Cancer Research UK

B CELLS 2008: COMPLEXITY, INTEGRATION and TRANSLATION considers B cells in all their colours.  Knowledge of B-cell behaviour is a central Public Health issue; not least in relation to vaccines and therapy. B cells also contribute to autoimmune disease while B-cell tumors constitute the majority of haematological cancers. This meeting will encapsulate the very latest advances in our understanding of B-cell physiology and pathobiology. The highly integrated, interdisciplinary approach will ensure a broad-ranging, cutting-edge symposium.

Participants will engage with the leaders in each of the fields represented during interactive sessions of talks, posters, discussions and social events.

Themes include:

  1. Theoretical and physical approaches for dissecting complex B-cell phenomena and for validating or adjusting prevalent biological concepts: including mathematical and computerized modelling of B cell physiology together with physical considerations of BCR interactions and signals.

  2. Control of gene expression via transcription factors in relation to B-cell differentiation and of normal B-cell regulation by endogenous small inhibitory RNAs and their impact on B-cell disease, predominantly, cancer.

  3. Consideration of B-cell dynamics and homeostasis at the molecular, cellular and population levels. 

  4. The important newly emerging aspects of B-cell as (non-antibody) effectors: both paracrine and autocrine. 

  5. Translation of the fundamental knowledge on B cell physiology to the treatment of diseases. 

  6. Exploration of the emerging appreciation of the strong dialogue occurring between Immune & Nervous systems: this providing novel B-cell targets as well as new pathways for modulation in health and disease. 

  7. Potential impact of the above on Society with regards the widespread use/abuse of psychotropic drugs where we are beginning to learn of their deleterious consequences on normal B-cell functioning.

Final Programme PDF (394 KB) Last Updated 7-May-2008
List of Invited Speakers & Accepted Participants

Abstracts, Posters & Short Oral Contributions

There will be no short talks other than those listed on the programme. All abstracts have been accepted as posters.

The list of posters divided by session is now available.

A poster prize sponsored by EMBO will be awarded at the end of the conference.

Poster Session 1 PDF (92K); Poster Session 2 PDF (94K); Poster Session 3 PDF (92K)

Posters can be fixed with blue tack or tape onto poster panels. Poster size should be no more than 130 cm high x 130 cm wide. Use letters and drawings that can be read from approximately 100 cm distance.

Group Transportation & Practical Information Guide

Detailed information on all practical aspects of the conference (access to site, registration & fee payments, accommodation, travel reimbursements...) is available from the Practical Information Guide. Please read it fully and carefully...

Practical Information Guide PDF (196 KB)

GROUP TRANSPORTATION
Three buses will be arranged on arrival day from Barcelona airport to Sant Feliu. The journey takes approximately 2 hours, depending on traffic.

Bus departure times – Friday 16 May: 15.30 and 17.00 and 18.30

Airport departure point: the buses will wait in the special bus parking area located just before the A terminal. Each bus has been requested to be at the meeting point 20-30 minutes before scheduled departure. The coaches will have a sign in the window indicating “ESF Research Conferences” for easy recognition.

Group transportation back to Barcelona airport will be arranged in a similar way for the departure day.

Bus departure times – Wednesday 21 May: tentative times at this stage 08.00 and 09.00

ACCOMMODATION
Please note that SINGLE accommodation can only be guaranteed to invited speakers. All other participants will have to share a TWIN room. In case single rooms would become available at the time of the conference, rooms will be attributed on a “first come, first served” basis. Only the TWIN conference fee should be paid to the ESF when registering. The supplement for single should be paid to the venue directly. Should you wish to be put on waiting list for single accommodation, please contact Ms Chiara Orefice.

Registration Form

All participants - including speakers & session chairs - are kindly expected to confirm their attendance (and, when applicable, to pay the conference fee) by filling in a Registration Form.
Closing date for registration & fee payment: 15 April 2008

Conference Fees

Fees

What the fees cover

EUR 730

conference, meals and twin OR double room

EUR 520

non-resident: conference, meals (no room)

ESF Contact

ChiaraOreficeE-Mail
European Science FoundationESF Conferences UnitBrusselsBelgium

Phone: +32 (0)2 533 2023
Fax: +32 (0)2 538 8486
Please quote 08-210 in any correspondence.

Partnership

This conference is organised by the European Science Foundation (ESF) in partnership with the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO).

With Support from