The goal of the ISCB Affiliates Incentive Program is to incentivize regional groups who support the recruitment and retention of ISCB members and the furthering of ISCB’s mission.   ISCB has set aside funding to support the affiliated groups and their activities that benefit the region for which they serve.

Funding is distributed annually based on ISCB membership within the region for activities, conferences, travel fellowships, events and other activities that support the mission of ISCB.  Eligible groups may receive funding upon completion of the required reporting and information about the activity for which the funding will support. ISCB reserves the right to refuse funding to any group for noncompliance to the reporting requirement.  ISCB reserves the right to deny funding if it deems the activity does not meet the obligations for which the funding may be used.

To learn more about becoming an affiliated group and the other benefits of affiliating with ISCB, please review the Affiliated Group Guidelines.

Affiliates Committee Overview:

• membership: one representative for each affiliate (and a designated alternate representative), appointed Chair(s), elected Representative to the Board of Directors
• responsibilities:
  • examines ways to foster collaboration and networking at regional levels
  • establishes procedures for the program
  • brings forward concerns and makes suggestions for new initiatives
  • Representative to the Board of Directors is a chair of the committee,  voting member of the Board of Directors, and liaison of the committee to the Board of Directors
  • Chair(s) oversee(s) all activities and processes of the Affiliates Committee, Affiliates Council and Affiliates Review Board

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Affiliates Review Board Overview:

• membership: the ISCB Treasurer, the Affiliates Committee’s Representative to the Board of Directors, at least two at large¹ members of the ISCB Board of Directors, and the Chair(s) of the Affiliates Committee
• responsibilities:
  • reviews applications and annual reports
  • approves/denies applications
  • makes decisions about Tier and funding levels

Affiliated Groups Review Board:

Cath Brooksbank (At-large member of the ISCB Board of Directors)
Bruno Gaeta (Co-chair of the Affiliates Committee)
Janet Kelso (ISCB Treasurer)
Christian Schӧnbach (Representative to the Board of Directors, Co-chair of the Affiliates Committee)
Nicola Mulder (At-large member of the ISCB Board of Directors)
Lonnie Welch (Co-chair of the Affiliates Committee)

¹At-large is a designation for members of a governing body who are appointed to represent the whole membership.  This person will be a non-affiliate organizer appointed by the Board who serves as a Director of the Society.

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Affiliates Council Overview: 

• membership: the Affiliated Review Board and one representative for each Tier 3 affiliate
• responsibilities:
  • provides input to the Review Board re. applications, and tier/funding levels
  • provides recommendations for new programs or incentives

Affiliated Groups Council:

Alan Christoffels, ASBCB
Javier De Las Rivas, SOIBIO
Diasuke Kihara, GLBC
Christian Schӧnbach, APBioNet

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Coming Soon.

The gambling industry is in the process of an incredible transformation driven by groundbreaking technologies and the evolution of online platforms, including new online casinos. The convenience and accessibility provided by online gambling have attracted a growing number of enthusiasts each year. Players can now enjoy a wide range of games from the comfort of their homes, whether through their computers or mobile devices.

Online Casinos: The Game-Changer

Online gambling has surged in popularity due to its vast array of benefits. For instance, new online casino platforms offer users the ability to play diverse games such as poker, roulette, and blackjack without ever leaving their homes. This is a game-changer for many, especially those who lack easy access to physical casinos or prefer a more private gaming experience. The proliferation of smartphones and tablet devices has also significantly contributed to this growth, enabling users to carry a casino in their pocket wherever they go.

Technological Advancements Fueling Online Gambling

The surge in online gambling is not just about convenience. Technological advancements are playing a crucial role in enhancing the user experience. Today's online gaming platforms feature improved graphics, faster load times, and a more thrilling and lifelike experience for the player.

1. Advanced Platforms: Modern online gaming platforms are rich in features that offer stunning visuals and enhanced gameplay.

2. Live Dealer Games: The rise of live dealer games offers a realistic alternative to traditional casinos. These games utilize high-quality streaming technologies that allow real-time interactions between dealers and players.

3. Virtual Reality (VR): Some online casinos are also exploring VR games, providing a more immersive and engaging experience compared to conventional online gaming.

Mobile Devices and Social Media: The New Frontier

Mobile devices and social media platforms are reshaping the way users engage with online casinos. Games optimized for mobile, complete with touch-screen controls, are common in virtual casinos. These games cater specifically to the preferences of handheld device users, enhancing user engagement and enjoyment.

Social media plays a vital role in promoting these platforms and engaging with players. Social media games that offer casino rewards for player participation are gaining traction, creating a vibrant community of online gamers.

Virtual and Augmented Reality (VR/AR)

The gambling industry is embracing technologies like VR and AR to offer a more immersive experience to players.

1. Virtual Reality (VR): VR technology immerses users in a computer-generated environment, facilitating virtual casinos and interactive gaming experiences that closely mimic real-life gameplay.

2. Augmented Reality (AR): AR adds digital elements to the real world, allowing players to interact with slot machines projected into their surroundings.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML)

AI and ML are poised to reshape the gambling landscape significantly. Here’s how:

1. Personalized Recommendations: Leveraging AI, online casinos can analyze vast amounts of player data to offer personalized game recommendations and targeted promotions.

2. Fraud Detection: Machine learning algorithms help identify and prevent fraud, ensuring a secure environment for both the players and the casinos.

3. Predictive Analytics: Predictive analytics powered by AI can forecast player behavior, enabling casinos to cater effectively to customer needs.

4. Chatbots: AI-powered chatbots enhance customer support, providing instant responses to player inquiries.

5. Optimized Gameplay: AI algorithms can optimize table game performance based on individual player behavior.

Blockchain and Cryptocurrencies

Blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies are becoming integral parts of the gambling industry. Blockchain offers a secure, transparent, and tamper-proof ledger for transactions.

1. Secure Payments: Cryptocurrencies provide a secure, fast, and cost-effective means for online gambling transactions.

2. Smart Contracts: Blockchain facilitates smart contracts, ensuring automatic execution of payouts and bonuses.

3. Anti-Money Laundering: The immutability of the blockchain ledger helps in detecting and preventing money laundering activities.

Despite its advantages, cryptocurrency in gambling raises regulatory concerns and requires stringent oversight to mitigate risks associated with anonymity and money laundering. Technological advancements must work hand-in-hand with regulatory frameworks to promote safe and responsible gambling practices.

Beacon Technology: The Future of Gambling Marketing?

Beacon technology is set to revolutionize how gambling companies market to and engage with their customers. Beacons are wireless transmitters that send data or notifications to nearby smartphones through Bluetooth.

Imagine walking past a local betting shop and receiving an instant notification about special odds for an upcoming game. This kind of proximity marketing already exists and offers enormous potential for personalized marketing. Beacons can also track customer behavior in-store, providing valuable data insights.

However, gambling firms must be cautious. Overusing notifications may cause users to become desensitized or annoyed, leading to a decline in engagement. Strategic implementation is crucial for leveraging the full potential of beacon technology without driving customers away.

Conclusion

The future of gambling is incredibly dynamic, with emerging technologies such as AI, ML, VR/AR, and blockchain promising to revolutionize the sector. These advancements will make gaming more engaging, secure, and efficient, although they bring challenges requiring careful management. Integrating these technologies with existing systems and regulatory frameworks is pivotal for reaping their full benefits.

The gambling industry is poised for an exciting future, marked by innovation and technological advancements. Stay tuned for further developments as the industry continues to evolve at a rapid pace.

HPC-AI Challenge

(Click to expand)

The International Society for Computational Biology is pleased to announce the HPC-AI Advisory Council (HPCAIAC) and National Supercomputing Centre (NSCC) Singapore 2021 APAC HPC-AI Competition.

High-performance computing and artificial intelligence are the most essential tools fueling the advancement of science. In order to handle the ever-growing demands for higher computation performance and the increase in the complexity of research problems, the world of scientific computing continues to re-innovate itself in a fast pace.

The competition encourages international teams in the APAC region to showcase their HPC and AI expertise in a friendly yet spirited competition that builds critical skills, professional relationships, competitive spirits and lifelong comraderies.

Important Deadlines

• The HPC-AI Advisory Council will finalize the list of competitive teams by April 30^th, 2021
• The HPC-AI Advisory Council will announce the training plan on May 7^th, 2021
• All teams should submit presentation slides together with their code before October 15^th 2021
• The HPC-AI Advisory Council will announce the presentation review agenda on October 19^th, 2021
• The presentation review is scheduled from October 26 to November 6, 2021 via video conference. Each team will have 30 minutes to present and 30 minutes for Q&A.
• The final results will be announced at the Supercomputing Conference 2021 in November 2021, in St. Louis, MO, USA.
• The award ceremony will take place at the Supercomputing Asia 2022 conference in Singapore

The winning teams will receive the following awards*:

• First Place (one team): $5,000 (USD) and a reserved spot representing APAC at the 2022 International ISC Student Cluster Competition
• Second Place (one team): $3,000 (USD)
• Third Place (one team): $1,500 (USD)
• Merit Prize (up to three teams): $1,000 (USD)
• Each team member will receive a certificate.

To become part of a team – register here - http://www.hpcadvisorycouncil.com/events/2021/APAC-AI-HPC/register.php

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ISMB/ECCB 2021 - Distinguished Keynote Presentations

Rodrigo A. Gutierrez

FONDAP Center for Genome Regulation
Millennium Institute for Integrative Biology
Universidad Catolica de Chile
Chile

Introduced by: Marie-France Sagot, Conference Co-Chair
Time: Sunday, July 25, 16:20 - 17:20 UTC
Presentation Title: Phylogenomics and Systems Biology approaches reveal conserved adaptive processes in Atacama Desert plants

ISCB Overton Prize Keynote
Barbara Engelhardt

Associate Professor
Computer Science Department
Princeton University
United States

Introduced by: Rita Casadio, Conference Co-chair
Time: Monday, July 26, 16:20 – 17:20 UTC
Presentation Title: Cells in Space: Methods to investigate local neighborhoods of cells

Eduardo Rocha

Genomes and Genetics
Institut Pasteur
France

Introduced by: Jacques Van Helden, Conference Co-chair
Time: Tuesday, July 27, 16:20 – 17:20 UTC
Presentation Title: Cosmos from chaos: how intra-genomic conflicts and horizontal transfer drive genome evolution

Kate Jones

Chair of Ecology and Biodiversity
Genetics, Evolution & Environment
University College London
United Kingdom

Introduced by: Thomas Lengauer, ISCB Past-President
Time: Wednesday, July 28,16:20 – 17:20 UTC
Presentation Title: Our Planet, Our Health - Ecosystem approaches to forecasting zoonotic diseases

ISCB Innovator Award Keynote
Ben Raphael

Professor, Computer Science
Lewis-Sigler Institute, Princeton University
United States

Introduced by: Christine Orengo, ISCB President
Time: Thursday, July 29, 16:20 – 17:20 UTC
Presentation Title: Quantifying Tumor Heterogeneity across Time and Space

ISCB Accomplishments by a Senior Scientist Award Keynote
Peer Bork

Director (Scientific Activities)
EMBL Heidelberg
Germany

Introduced by: Martin Vingron, ISCB Awards Committee Chair
Time: Friday, July 30, 15:20 – 16:20 UTC
Presentation Title: Analyzing microbes in us and on our planet

Presenter Information

As you plan your participation as a presenter please find below details to assist you with your specific presentation type at the conference:

1. Pre-recorded Talks
2. Poster presentation
3. Recorded Presentation Guidelines for Virtual Events
4. Live Stream Speaker Instructions
5. Live Presentation Guidelines for Virtual Events
6. How to record a PowerPoint Presentation

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   Pre-recorded Talks
   

Those presenting a pre-recorded talk should prepare their recording per the information below:

• Flash Talk (5 minute time slot) = 4 minutes talk plus 1 minutes live Q&A
• Article Talk (15 minute time slot) = 11 minutes talk plus 4 minutes live Q&A
   

Slides should be widescreen 16x9 ratio which export best to 1080p videos.

Keynotes will have a 30 minute block.  We recommend a 20 minute talk with 5 minutes each for introduction and Q&A.

Some helpful tips on planning your recorded talk are available below

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Poster Presentations

Presenters of a poster presentation are allowed a maximum 3 minutes.

You need to provide the following when uploading your poster and video.

• PDF or .jpg (4000x3000 pixels) of your poster with a maximum file size of 40 MB.
• Save your presentation as an MP4 file starting with your EasyChair submission number (if applicable), followed by presenters last name, first name, and designated track.
  a) If you are a COVID-19 talk please prefix your submission number with a 'C' for COVID-19. (Example C100 for proceedings with a submission ID of 100)
• Slides should be widescreen16x9 ratio which export best to 1080p videos.

Some helpful tips on planning your recorded talk are available below

Presenting your poster in a lighting style format using the PechaKucha or Ignite talks presentation style or a single slide or PDF is an option for presenters.

Here is a example of a presentation: https://youtu.be/rbLbb7eOao8

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Recorded Presentation Guidlines for Virtual Events

Download Guidlines

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Live Stream Speaker Instructions

To make sure you look and sound your best, we have a couple of items we'd like to go over, below:

1. If possible, please have one other person available to stand by in the room with you during the time you are with us, in case you need anything, or we need anything during the webcast. While you are presenting, we need to communicate something important, and you may not see our Zoom chat messages. Similarly if you need something yourself, it's great to have someone else there to help. If you don't have someone else available, no problem.
2. Please make sure your headset is plugged in and working properly, prior to joining the Zoom meeting. If you don't have a good working microphone headset, please consider getting one as soon as possible from Amazon, Best Buy, or Target. Please remember delivery times are now longer.
3. Please make sure to set your computer monitor to the highest resolution possible (1920x1080 or higher preferred, if possible). To do this, go into the "Display" settings on your computer. There should be a setting for "Display Resolution" usually with a dropdown menu of different dimensions. Be sure to pick the one that says "1920x1080." If there is a setting that has higher numbers, choose the highest possible numbers.
4. Please make sure that while you are logged on with us that you are not competing for bandwidth with other household or office mates - we need them to suspend heavy bandwidth activities during the time you are with us.
5. To make sure in advance that you are ready and comfortable, we need you to go to the URL for our speaker "Green Room," (which we will send to you) one hour prior to your speaking time.
6. Once you enter the Green Room, we will test your audio and video, check to make sure your slides look good, if you have any, and make sure you are familiar with how to share your screen. If you have a video to play back, we will need the file to be sent to us in advance to the above email address, and while you are on with us, we will make sure we have it properly identified, and that it plays back okay.
7. Once you are good to go, we will transfer you to our Production Room, where you can watch the video of the other speakers until it is your turn. When it is time, and we are ready for you to begin your presentation, you will hear the meeting host introducing you, and we will send you a message asking you to now share your screen (please, right away, click on the small green button with the black arrow facing up that is in the middle of the bottom of your Zoom screen). You will NOT need to share your screen if you do not have any slides or anything else to share visually. Just remind us, if we erroneously ask you to share your screen, that you do not have anything to share. You will also need to make sure your video camera is turned on by clicking on the VIDEO button at the bottom of the screen.
8. While presenting, please don't be shy about looking directly at your webcam. When you do that, you are essentially making eye contact directly with us, your viewers. That will be much better received by the audience than if the webcam gets limited or no eye contact.
9. When you are done with your presentation, there may be time for Q&A, and if so, you will here the host ask the questions, and you will keep going. No need to stop sharing your screen. When Q&A is done, you can stop sharing your screen. You will continue to be able to watch the webcast. If there are any group discussions, you will be able to participate by just talking and looking at your webcam, but we will not need you to share your screen.

Please note that we will be with you at all times, ready to help if you need anything. The most important thing is to try to relax and enjoy delivering your presentation - that makes a huge difference. Please let us know if you have any questions.

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Live Presentation Guidelines for Virtual Events

Download Guidelines

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How to Record a Powerpoint Presentation

How to record a power point presentation

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REGISTER

Links in this page: ISCB Membership | Registration Instructions | Payment Options | VISA Invitation Letters | Cancellation Policy

Register Today!

Click here to register

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ISCB Membership

(ISCB Membership Fee Chart available here)

ISCB MEMBERS: If you are a current member of ISCB, you must use the email address associated with your ISCB membership in order to register at the discounted member rates through the online system. If you do not know the email address you used to register with ISCB, please send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. before proceeding with conference registration.

NONMEMBERS OF ISCB: Nonmembers will be able to join ISCB through the online conference registration system and immediately receive member rates for GLBIO 2019. You can either join when you register for the conference or you can join ISCB here and 24 hours later, will be eligible for member rates when registering for the conference.

ISCB MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL: If your ISCB membership is not current or will expire on or before May 19, 2019 you will be offered an opportunity to renew your membership as part of your registration fees through the online system.

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Registration Instructions

Online Registration is the preferred method.
Registration Today!

To register via fax or mail, please complete the online registration form and choose the non-credit card payment option. You can then print out a paper invoice and fax it to +1-619-374-2890 or send it to the address below. To pay by credit card please include the invoice along with this credit card authorization form (click here for PDF form) and either fax it or mail it to the address below. (ISCB accepts American Express, Mastercard, and Visa only).

To pay by check make your payment payable (US$) to the International Society for Computational Biology and mail it with a copy of your invoice to:

International Society for Computational Biology – ISCB
GLBIO 2019 Registration
525-K East Market Street, RM 330
Leesburg, VA 20176

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Payment Options

All conference fees for the GLBIO 2019 Conference are charged in United States Dollars.

Credit cards
The following credit cards are accepted for registration: American Express, MasterCard, and Visa. For offline payment please use this form (pdf).

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VISA Invitation Letters

Invitation letters required for visa applications will be sent with your confirmation after registration and full payment have been received. You must be registered and paid-in-full for the conference in order to receive an invitation letter.

International visitors to the United States
All international visitors, regardless of country of origin, must present a passport when entering the United States, and in many cases an entry visa is also required. It is essential that delegates arriving from outside the US have a valid passport with expiration at least six months after the planned date of entry, and any other required travel documents such as an entry visa. Please ensure that you allow enough time to apply for an entry visa should one be required for your arrival and participation at GLBIO 2019. Paid registration must be received before a visa letter can be provided, so early registration is suggested for all delegates requiring an entry visa.

Details are available on a number of websites including:

• Travel to the USA: www.discoveramerica.com/ca/entry.html
• USA Visas: http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/visit/visitor.html

ISCB and the GLBIO 2019 conference organizers assume no responsibility for the accuracy of information on any of the above websites, and encourage you to communicate directly with the US Embassy or US Consulate office that services your particular needs for entry into the United States.

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Cancellation Policy

Requests for registration cancellation must be made in writing and sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

All refunds will be made in US dollars and processed following the conference. Refunds will be made in accordance with the following schedule:

• Cancellations received on or before April 15, 2019, will receive a 50% refund.
• No refund of fees will be made after April 15, 2019.
  

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Questions About Registration

For questions about your registration please contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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