ISCB Newsletter 8-1

The World’s Largest Bioinformatics Conference: ISMB 2005

Submitted By Yuri Ikeda Santos on behalf of the ISMB 2005
Logistical Organizing Committee

Registration for ISMB 2005 is now open at: http://www.iscb.org/ismb2005/reg.html. Space e is limited for this year’s conference, so register early to ensure your attendance!

This year’s ISMB 2005 promises to be a very dynamic and exciting conference. Held at Detroit’s Renaissance Center from June 25 – 29, ISMB will host a diverse group of keynote speakers including:

Ewan Birney (The European Molecular Biology Laboratory-EBI),
ISCB Overton Prize Winner
Howard Cash (Gene Codes Corp)
Peter Hunter (Bioengineering Institute – Auckland, New Zealand)
Jill Mesirov (The Broad Institute-Massachusetts Institute of Technology)
Satoru Miyano (University of Tokyo)
Pavel Pevzner (University of California at San Diego)
Janet Thornton (European Bioinformatics Institute),
ISCB Senior Scientist Accomplishment Award Winner
Gunnar von Heijne (Stockholm Bioinformatics Center)

Along with these fantastic keynote speakers, ISMB 2005, as in previous years, features an exciting week-long series of specialized scientific sessions – some of which are offered for the first time in ISMB history.

PAPERS
The Program Committee received 426 paper submissions this year, and selected 56 exceptional papers to be presented during the ISMB 2005 main conference.

POSTERS/ABSTRACTS
Out of the 631 posters submitted, 50-60 outstanding posters will be selected for an oral platform presentation (to accompany the standard poster session). These “elevated poster presentations” are new for this year, and will follow a parallel track to the paper presentations for the length of the conference. Additionally, there are still available spaces for industry posters; see http://www.iscb.org/ismb2005/sponsor_ops5.html for more details.

SOFTWARE DEMONSTRATIONS
Our Software Demos allow participants to demonstrate novel software and/or hardware relevant to the bioinformatics community. These 1-hour demonstrations will be scheduled throughout the conference. The application deadline for presenting an academic demonstration has closed. There are still available spaces for industry demonstrations, see http://www.iscb.org/ismb2005/demos_call.html for more details.

PANEL DISCUSSIONS
In addition, the ISMB 2005 Scientific Organizing Committee will introduce a new session titled “Panel Discussions” to this year’s main conference. Several panel speakers will participate in a 1-hour discussion on scientifically controversial topics familiar to the bioinformatics community. Be sure to look for this session on the detailed agenda at http://www.iscb.org/ismb2005/detailed.html.

SIGS AND TUTORIALS
Pre-conference education includes Special Interest Group (SIG) meetings held June 23 & 24 (see related article in this newsletter). Saturday, June 25 will be dedicated to tutorial sessions. Registration fees for both SIG meetings and tutorials are separate from that of the main conference. Details of SIGs and tutorial can be found at http://www.iscb.org/ismb2005/sigs.html and http://www.iscb.org/ismb2005/tutorials.html respectively.

ISMB 2005 is not all about science, as there is always time put aside for some fun and relaxation. Delegates will have plenty of time to enjoy the Detroit area with their families and to spend time making new friends and renewing friendships. In addition to the receptions that will be offered during poster presentations, the ISCB Ice Breaker Navigation Event will be held on Saturday, June 25: 5:30-7:30pm at the Belle Isle. The Gala Dinner will be held aboard the Detroit Princess Riverboat on the evening of Tuesday, June 28, 2005. More information on these optional social activities, including pricing, can be fount at: http://www.iscb.org/ismb2005/social.html.

As additional news and updates are being posted daily, the most up-to-date information can be found on the conference website, and interested parties are encouraged to sign up for conference notices at http://www.iscb.org/ismb2005/prospects.php.