19th Annual International Conference on
Intelligent Systems for Molecular Biology and
10th European Conference on Computational Biology

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is ISCB?

A: The International Society for Computational Biology (ISCB) is the parent organization of the annual conference on Intelligent Systems for Molecular Biology (ISMB). The ISCB is dedicated to advancing the scientific understanding of living systems through computation. The ISCB communicates the significance of our science to the larger scientific community, governments, and the public at large. The ISCB serves a global membership by impacting government and scientific policies, providing high quality publications and meetings, and through distribution of valuable information about training, education, employment and relevant news from related fields. ISCB membership offers many benefits including reduced conference registration fees to several high impact events and reduced subscription prices for a selection of journals of Computational Biology and Bioinformatics. Members are from more than 50 countries and include over 800 students and nearly 500 post doctoral researchers. A member's meeting and a meeting of the Board of Directors for the Society are held annually in conjunction with the ISMB conference. 

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Q: What is ECCB?

A: The European Conference on Computational Biology (ECCB) is a multi-disciplinary conference that bridges the fields of computer science, mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology by bringing together involved scientists from all over the world. It has a revolving scheme in which, each year, one of the European countries hosts the European conference, often jointly with the national conference on computational biology.

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Q: What is the ISMB conference?

A: Intelligent Systems for Molecular Biology (ISMB) is the annual meeting of the International Society for Computational Biology (ISCB). Over the past 19 years the ISMB conference has grown to become the largest bioinformatics conference in the world. The ISMB conferences provide a multidisciplinary forum for disseminating the latest developments in bioinformatics. ISMB brings together scientists from computer science, molecular biology, mathematics, and statistics. Its principal focus is on the development and application of advanced computational methods for biological problems.

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Q: Why are ISMB and ECCB joined for 2011?
A: ISMB/ECCB builds on the successes of the joint conferences first beginning in 2004 and returns to Vienna in 2011 after a highly successful joint 2007 Vienna conference. In 2011 a combined ISMB/ECCB conference will again offer the strongest scientific program and the broadest scope of any international bioinformatics conference.

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Q: Who are the ISMB/ECCB 2011 Conference Chairs?

A: The conference chairs for ISMB/ECCB 2011 are:

Burkhard Rost, Conference Chair, Technical University Munich, Germany

Michal Linial, Conference Vice-chair, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel

Peter SchusterHonorary Co-chair, University of Vienna (Professor Emeritus), Vienna, Austria

Kurt Zatloukal, Honorary Co-Chair, Genome-Austria Tissue Bank, Medical University of Graz, Austria

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Q: Who do I contact for information on the conference?

A: You can get information on the conference from:

c/o BJ Morrison McKay
International Society for Computational Biology
9500 Gilman Drive, MC 0505
La Jolla, CA 92093-0505 USA


or from the Conferences Director, Steven Leard at:

Phone: +1-780-414-1663
Fax: +1-780-414-1664
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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Q: Where will the conference be held?

A: The conference will be held at the Austria Center Vienna in Vienna.

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Q: What is the address of the Austria Center Vienna?

A: AUSTRIA CENTER VIENNA
Internationales Amtssitz- und
Konferenzzentrum Wien, AG
Bruno-Kreisky-Platz 1
1220 Wien

Nearest Subway station:
U1, “Kaisermühlen" – Vienna International Center

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Q: Where is Vienna, Austria?

A: Vienna is the Capital of Austria and also one of the nine States of Austria. Vienna has a population of about 1.6 million (2.2 million within the metro area) and is the largest city in Austria as well as its cultural, economic and political centre.

Situated on both sides of the River Danube, and only 60 kilometers off Austria’s Eastern border, Vienna lies in the South East corner of Central Europe and is close to the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary.

Vienna is the seat of a number of United Nations offices and various international institutions and companies, including the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).

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Q: Do I need a visa to visit Vienna, Austria?

A: Visa Regulations

Who does not need a visa
Citizens of all countries of the European Union, Switzerland, Croatia, Israel, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, most of the countries of North and South America and some other countries do not need a visa, only a valid passport is required to enter Austria. In case of doubt please contact the Austrian Consulate or Embassy well in advance before departure.

Visa-free travel is allowed with a biometric passport for citizens from the following countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia.

Who needs a visa
Travellers requiring a visa can travel freely throughout the Schengen zone for three months with a Schengen visa issued by any Schengen country. Obtaining a visa entitling you to visit one Schengen country automatically entitles you to travel to and from all the other Schengen countries too.

Further information about visa regulations and Schengen visas  can be found on the website of the Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs.

Current member countries of the Schengen treaty are Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. 

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Q: Vienna International Airport

A: Information on Vienna International Airport includes constantly updated arrival and departure times.

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Q: What is Vienna’s Time Zone?

A: Vienna lies within the Central European time zone (CET). From the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October, summer time is in effect (MESZ).

Q: What is the Electrical Current?

A: The voltage in Vienna is 230 Volts (Alternating Current)

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Q: What is the International area code?

A: The area code for Vienna from abroad is: + 43 1

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Q: What language is spoken in Austria?

A: In Austria, German is the primary language. The most common foreign language is English

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Q. In what language will the conference sessions and materials be presented?

A. All conference presentations and materials will be presented in English.
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Q: What is the climate?

A: The climate in Vienna is generally mild and continental. Often there is a moderate westerly wind in the city making cool days even cooler. But the Viennese appreciate this wind because it brings fresh air from the surrounding Vienna Woods to the city. On some summer days the heat sizzles in the center of the city, most days of the year the weather is like the inhabitants of the city: friendly, mild, and moderate in every sense…

Current Vienna Weather
(includes annual temperature and precipitation information)

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Q: Where do I get more information on Vienna?

A: Visit the official website of the Vienna Tourist Board here.

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Q: What are the conference hotels?

A: The ISMB/ECCB organizers are using Mondial Congress and Events to coordinate the housing block and a wide selection of hotels available at special discounted rates for conference attendees. Remember most hotels offer breakfast part of their room rate.

Mondial Congress and Events, the official conference housing Bureau, can be contacted by
 e-mail at   This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

These special rates are available til June 10, 2011  - full details on housing is available here

 

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Q: Where can I find medical information?

A: Emergency Numbers:

  • Ambulance Tel 144
  • Physicians on Standby Tel 141
  • Euro Emergency Tel. 112
  • Physicians Hotline for Visitors (24 hours a day) Tel. 513 95 95
  • Dentists & emergency service during the night and weekends Tel. 512 20 78
  • Pharmacies, night and weekend service (recorded message) Tel. 15 50

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Q: What is the custom on tipping?

A: In many areas such as restaurants, taxis, hairdressers, service stations, tipping is traditionally expected. Usually, the tip amounts to about 5 to 10 percent, but the size of the tip should be according to your satisfaction with the services rendered.

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Q: What can I do to ensure my personal safety?

A: Vienna is a safe city and the Viennese are friendly and helpful – as are most visitors to the city. Unfortunately, there are always exceptions. Tips for your personal safety.

Important emergency numbers:

  • Fire Department Tel. 122
  • Police Tel 133
  • Ambulance Tel 144

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Q: What is the currency?

A: The legal tender in Austria is the Euro. Banks in Vienna are usually open:

Mon to Wed, Fri 8:00 am – 3:00 pm
Thu 8:00 am – 5:30 pm

Some branches are closed 12:30 – 1:30 pm
In the city center many banks are open continuously from:

Mon to Wed, Fri 8:30 am – 3:00 pm
Thu 8:30 am – 5:30 pm

If possible, exchange money at a bank during regular opening hours or use Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs), which are called Bankomats in Austria, or with your credit card. You can also exchange money at Eurotours or at the Vienna Tourist Information (Tourist-Info Wien).

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Q: How can I pay to register for ISMB/ECCB?

A: Delegates can pay on-line using the following credit cards: American Express, Mastercard or  Visa.

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Q: How do I get from the airport to my hotel?

A: See Taxis and Trains information for transportation from the airport.

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Q. How do I get from the Vienna Schwechat Airport to Vienna city centre?

A. The City Airport Train (CAT) is offering conference delegates a reduced fare of €12 for a return ticket. Tickets can be purchased on-line using the promo code: ISMBECCB at www.cityairporttrain.com

City Airport Train (CAT) 
is a 16 minute, non-stop transfer and departs every 30 minutes from the Vienna Airport to Landstrasse, across from the Hilton Hotel Vienna - Stadtpark, the conference headquarters hotel. Tickets are valid one week before and after the conference dates.

By Railway:
“Schnellbahn” (railway) to Landstrasse, Wien Mitte ACROSS FROM THE HILTON
Departure from the airport: at least every 30 min. (Price: €3.60 one way)


By Shuttle Bus:
Vienna Airport Lines, shuttle bus to Schwedenplatz, Westbahnhof, Sudbahnhof or Kagran.
Departure from the airport: every 30 min.(Price: €7.00 one way/ €12.00 for a return ticket)
 

By Automobile:
Taxi (approx. €40.00) from the airport to the city)

Limousine transfer is available for €36.00 one way.

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Q: Can I pre-purchase a discounted Vienna public transit ticket?

A: Yes, several options exist for discounted public transit:

The Vienna Card:

The Vienna Card offers 72 hours of unlimited free travel by any public transportation within Vienna and more than 210 discounts at museums and sights, theatres and concerts, in shops, cafés, restaurants and the ‘Heurigen’ wine tavern.

Mondial Congress and Events, the official conference housing Bureau, is pleased to offer discounted Vienna cards at the price of EUR 16,90 (instead of EUR 18,50).

Your discounted Vienna Card can be purchased either online via the hotel reservation link or by sending an e-mail to  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Once you have filled in your card, you are ready to go. Make sure that you carry the Vienna Card with you at all times.

Your additional bonus: If you decide to purchase your Vienna Card and book your hotel guest room with Mondial, your Vienna Card is waiting for you upon arrival at your hotel upon check-in.

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Q: How do I get around Vienna?

A: Various options exist including:

Taxis

Taxis are available in most areas of the city and are reasonably priced. The fare is shown on officially calibrated taximeters. The starting rate during the day is €2.50; at night (11:00 pm – 6:00 am) and on Sundays and public holidays €2.60, surcharge for radio taxis: €2.00. For rides from and to the airport, which is located outside of the city limits: surcharge €10.00. Also, you can inquire about special airport rates. More information.

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Public Transit Ticket:

ISMB/ECCB delegates can save money on their public transit ticket? Mondial Congress and Events the official conference housing Bureau is pleased to offer discounted Vienna Transit Tickets. Your discounted public transport ticket can be purchased either online via the hotel reservation link or by sending an e-mail to  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . The transit ticket allows you to use any public transportation within Vienna. Once you have signed the ticket, you are ready to go. Make sure that you carry your ticket with you at all times.
When ordering your ticket with Mondial you will need to choose the number of days for the transit pass:

3-Day Ticket (July 17 – July 19): €12.90

4-Day Ticket (July 16 – July 19): € 14.70

5-Day Ticket (July 15 – July 19): €16.50

6-Day Ticket (July 14 – July 19): €18.30

Your additional bonus: If you decide to purchase your public transport ticket and book your hotel guest room with Mondial your ticket is waiting for you upon arrival at your hotel upon check-in.

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Q: Where do I register when I arrive?

A: Conference Registration is available from Thursday, July 14 to Tuesday, July 19  at the Austria Center Vienna. A complete registration schedule will be posted closer to the conference.

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Q: Can I get a refund on the Austrian Value Added Tax?

A: All visitors residing outside the EU have the right to receive a refund on the Austrian Value Added Tax, which is included in the purchase price and on a purchase of a Minimum 75.01 Euro.

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Q: What should I do if I lose something?

A: A lost and found will be located at the information booth located at the Austria Center Vienna.

 


Q: What are the registration/information desk hours at the conference?

Registration Desk Hours at the Austria Center Vienna
 
Thursday, July 14
Registration: Austria Center Vienna, Entrance Hall
3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
 
Friday, July 15 - Tuesday, July 19
Registration: Austria Center Vienna, Entrance Hall
  • Friday, July 15 – 7:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
  • Saturday, July 16 – 7:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
  • Sunday, July 17 – 7:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
  • Monday, July 18 – 7:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
  • Tuesday, July 19 – 7:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

 

Wednesday, July 20 - Thursday, July 21 (for RECOMBE-BE & MLSB)

7:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. - Hilton Vienna Stadtpark (Outside Klimt Ballroom)

 

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