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#ISMB2016

Sponsors

Silver:
Bronze:
F1000
Recursion Pharmaceuticals

Copper:
Iowa State University

General and Travel Fellowship Sponsors:
Seven Bridges GBP GigaScience OverLeaf PLOS Computational Biology BioMed Central 3DS Biovia GenenTech HiTSeq IRB-Group Schrodinger TOMA Biosciences
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 the ISMB conference?
A: Intelligent Systems for Molecular Biology (ISMB) is the annual meeting of the International Society for Computational Biology (ISCB). Over the 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.

ISMB 2016 will offer the strongest scientific program and the broadest scope of any international bioinformatics conference in 2016. Building on past successes ISMB is designed to cater to variety of disciplines within the bioinformatics community. ISMB 2016 will be the largest and most important computational biology event globally in 2016.
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Q: Who are the ISMB 2016 Conference Chairs?
A: The conference C0-chairs for ISMB 2016 are:

Teresa Przytycka, Head of Algorithmic Methods in Computational and Systems Biology, NCBI/NLM/NIH, Bethesda, United States
Pierre Baldi, Conference Co-chair, Department of Computer Science, University of California, Irvine, United States

Q: Who do I contact for information on the conference?
A: You can get information on the conference from:

Steven Leard
ISMB Conference Director
Phone: +1-780-414-1663
Email: This email 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 Swan and Dolphin Resort located at:

1500 Epcot Resorts Blvd.
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830

A map showing the location can be found at: http://www.swandolphin.com/aboutus/location.html

Travel options for getting to the Resort can be found at: https://www.iscb.org/ismb2016general/ismb2016-shuttle
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Q: What are the conference hotels?
A: The ISMB organizers through ISMB's official housing partner, onPeak, have reduced hotel rates for your trip to Orlando and ISMB 2016 featuring the two resort hotels – the Swan; and, the Dolphin. Book through the simple-to-use reservation website or with helpful and friendly booking agents. Full details available at: https://www.iscb.org/ismb2016general/ismb2016-accommodation
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Q: Can I park at the conference hotel?
A: Yes parking is available for both hotel guests and non-guests. The daily fees for parking are listed below and subject to change.

Self Parking FeesValet Parking Fees
Non-Registered Guest* $18.00 for each exit$26.00 for each exit
Registered Guest ** $18.00 + tax per day$26.00 + tax per day

*A non-registered guest is a guest who is visiting the hotel to use the facilities and services, but is not staying over night.
**A registered guest has a room reservation to spend one or more nights at the hotel.


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Q: Can I ship materials or items to the hotel?
A: Yes, contact 11th Hour Business Centre

There is a daily storage fee for $5 per day per box or $100 per day per pallet for items received sooner than 7 days prior to your event. When you ship them please address them to the name of the person that will be picking them up and to the 1500 Epcot Resort Blvd, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830 address.

Andrew Magnus
General Manager of Business Center Sales and Services | 11th Hour Business Centers
Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort
1500 Epcot Resorts Blvd | Lake Buena Vista, Florida 32830
P: 407.934.4259 | C: 321.689.3527 | F: 407.934.4884 | www.11thhourbiz.com


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Q: Who should I contact about childcare?
A: Child Care options can be found at: https://www.iscb.org/ismb2016general/ismb2016-childcare

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Q: Where is Orlando, Florida?
A: Orlando, a city in central Florida, is home to more than a dozen theme parks. Chief among its claims to fame is Walt Disney World, comprised of 4 parks, including Magic Kingdom and Epcot, and 2 water parks. Another major player, Universal Orlando, offers 2 parks: Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, with the Wizarding World of Harry Potter straddling both.
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Q: Do I need a visa to visit the United States?
A: International travelers should check with the United States of America diplomatic representative in their home country to confirm status of entry to the USA. IMPORTANT: If you require a visa to attend the conference please allow 3 - 4 months for processing. Details on entering the USA can be found at:

https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en.html

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Q: Orlando International Airport
A: Orlando International Airport (MCO) is approximately a 30 minute ride to the Swan and Dolphin Hotel. Details on the airport can be found at http://www.orlandoairports.net

Details on travel between are available at: https://www.iscb.org/ismb2016general/ismb2016-shuttle
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Q: What is the local Time Zone?
A: Orlando is in the Eastern Time Zone and during the conference will be UTC/GMT -4 hours
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Q: What is the Electrical Current?
A: The normal electric current in the United States is 120 volts AC in 60 cycles. Plugs and sockets may differ from those in other parts of the world, so travelers should bring adapters or transformers for electrical appliances such as hairdryers and shavers. A diagram of the most common plugs and sockets is available at: http://www.eurocom.com/support/plugs.htm
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Q: Calling Orlando?
A: Information on calling from your country can be found at: www.countrycallingcodes.com
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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: Orlando's summers are typically very warm and humid. It is best to bring a light water repellent or water proof jacket. The Swan and Dolphin Resort is air conditioned and delegates may find the rooms cool so it is recommended to bring a light sweater.

Keep an eye on Orlando weather at http://www.accuweather.com

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Q: Where can I find medical information?
A: In all cases, except for emergencies, look in the phone book provided in your hotel or with the front desk. In case of an emergency requiring ambulance, fire or police dial 911.
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Q: What can I do to ensure my personal safety?
A: Emergency phone calls Dial 911 for emergency assistance from police, fire, ambulance etc. If you are unfamiliar with the city check with the hotel front desk to enquire about restaurants, tourist venues, etc. Use the hotel safe to store valuables including laptops, cameras, important papers that you may not be using.
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Q: What is the custom on tipping?
A: A gratuity is generally not included in bills (unless added automatically for group dining) - as a general guideline tips are provided for meals, taxi and hotel bellman. The general rule of thumb for tipping is 12% - 18% and a dollar a bag for bellman.
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Q: What is the currency?
A: The monetary unit is the United States dollar ($).
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Q: How can I pay to register for ISMB?
A: Delegates can pay on-line using the following credit cards or mail in a Check. Accepted credit cards are: Mastercard, Visa and American Express.
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Q: Where do I register when I arrive?
A: Conference Registration is available from Thursday, July 7 to Tuesday, July 12.

The Conference Registration Desk is located in the Dolphin Hotel (Convention Foyer behind the Dolphin Hotel check in area)

Thursday, July 7 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Friday, July 8 7:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, July 9 7:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, July 10 7:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Monday, July 11 7:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, July 12 7:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

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Q: What should I do if I lose something at the conference venue?
A: A conference lost and found will be located at the information booth located by the conference registration desk in the Dolphin Hotel.
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Q: What sightseeing opportunities are available in Orlando?
A: Orlando is world famous for its many family activities, theme parks, restaurants and more. You can learn more at: http://www.visitorlando.com