Schedule of Events

Workshops

Parasitic Nematodes: 2nd “Bridging the Divide” Workshop
June 24, 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Northwest Auditorium

Pdf of Abstracts

Each year infections of animals and plants by parasitic nematodes cause many billions of dollars of agricultural damage. Over a billion people worldwide, particularly in developing nations, are infected by nematodes and suffer from the resulting debilitating diseases. Currently, only a few investigators address problems of parasitic nematodes using C. elegans. To encourage and facilitate more interactions between the C. elegans and parasitic nematode communities, a workshop was held at the 2013 International C. elegans Meeting in which experts in plant, animal and human parasitic nematodes spoke on the life history and unique biology of these parasitic species and on outstanding issues in their field. A key goal of this session was to make C. elegans scientists aware of the issues and problems that parasitic nematode researchers face and pave the way for applying the powerful approaches and technologies that have advanced C. elegans research to parasitic nematodes.

The list of speakers is available on the Schedule of Events.

CRISPR-based Strategies for Genome Engineering
Announcing the “CRISPR revolution” workshop to be held during the final plenary session of the 2015 International C. elegans Meeting,
June 28th, 10:30am – 12:00pm, Royce Hall Auditorium

Submit your questions now for a panel discussion! We'll select questions from the community that will be answered by the speakers. All CRISPR-related questions are fair game, and questions from graduate students and postdocs are especially encouraged. To ask a question, complete the web form at http://goo.gl/forms/rxeZKvXpc4 by June 22, 2015.

Organizers:
- Mike Boxem (Utrecht University)
- Daniel Dickinson (University of North Carolina)
- Alexandre Paix (Johns Hopkins University)

In just a few years’ time, CRISPR-based genome engineering has become an essential tool for many C. elegans groups. This exciting technology is still rapidly evolving, with new insights being gained on an almost daily basis. This workshop offers an opportunity to learn about the latest developments in CRISPR/Cas9 genome engineering, share ideas, and gain practical tips, protocols, and insights to enable the successful application of this technology. In a series of short talks, researchers actively developing novel methods or improvements will present their work, with a focus on practical, technical advice. Topics that will be discussed include improvements to efficiency and selection of genome edits, and novel Cas9 applications. The talks will be followed by a Q&A session. The workshop will end with a summarizing overview of the field by Geraldine Seydoux.

Schedule:

10:30 – 10:35 Introduction,  Mike Boxem 

10: 35 am Cloning-free genome editing using Cas9-guide RNA ribonucleoprotein complexes. Alexandre Paix, Andrew Folkmann, Dominique Rasoloson, Jarrett Smith, Geraldine Seydoux. HHMI and Dept of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD

10:43 am Dramatic enhancement of genome editing by CRISPR/Cas9 through improved guide RNA design. Behnom Farboud, Barbara Meyer. HHMI and Dept. of MCB, UC, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA

10:51 am Improvements and challenges with pha-1(ts) co-conversion. Jordan Ward¹, Liangyu Zhang², Abby Dernburg². 1) UCSF, San Francisco, CA; 2) UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA

10:59 am Streamlined genome engineering with a self-excising drug selection cassette. Daniel J. Dickinson, Ariel M. Pani, Jennifer Heppert, Christopher D. Higgins and Bob Goldstein

11:07 am Activation of endogenous gene transcription using Cas-9 in C. elegans. Joseph Zullo¹, Noah Davidsohn², Alejandro Chavez², Monica Colaiacovo¹, George Church^1,2, Bruce Yankner¹. 1) Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; 2) Wyss Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA

11:15 am CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene knock-out and knock-in applications in C. elegans. Zhiping Wang¹, Yishi Jin^1,2. 1) Department of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA; 2) Howard Hughes Medical Institute

11:23 am Question & Answer with the speakers

11:50 am An overview of CRISPR-based genome engineering, Geraldine Seydoux, Johns Hopkins University

Worm Art Show

The C. elegans community is fortunate to have generated many wonderful biological images and artistic renditions of worms over the years. The C. elegans community is especially blessed with a very large pool of highly talented, creative and entertaining people which makes our close community quite unique! The Worm Art show will take place during the poster sessions. Please bring your work and set up on the first day of the poster sessions. There will be a row of poster boards and tables on which to place items. We have had an excellent turnout in the past and we expect that there will be many interesting entries this year. Many past winners have gone on to become faculty! The winners are chosen by ballots submitted by the meeting attendees. Winners will be announced at the last plenary session in Royce Hall.

Categories:

1. Microscopic Images -any microscopic images or photos pertaining to C. elegans biology

2. Mixed Media -any artwork inspired by C. elegans or many hours of picking and imaging

Past entries in this category have been stained and blown glass, wood mobiles, music, sculpture, drawing and painting.

3. Multimedia -for example YouTube movies, Vine videos and flash cartoons [5 minute maximum length]. Please upload them to YouTube, Vine or Vimeo and send Ahna Skop the link no later than June 14^th, 2015, to skop@wisc.edu.  Use the hashtag #wormart2015 so everyone can find it.

4. Phone art -worm art/photography made by using your cell phone

5. microRNA Art -A special challenge this year will be to present artwork that relates to microRNA structure or function or honors Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun.

AWARDS & PRIZES

Awards will be given in the categories noted above. In addition, prizes will be awarded for:  Most Humorous and Best of Show, as voted by attendee ballot.

Please bring (and send via email) your artwork to the meeting with a with a typed entry sheet including the following:

Name (s):

Title of work:

Lab:

School or Institution:

Email:

Please send a digital image of your work to Ahna Skop (skop@wisc.edu) prior to the meeting for use during prize announcements and archiving. Submissions will be accepted until June 20, 2015

Notes:

•   The artwork title and name should be placed near your work.

•   Please put your name on the back of your work as well.

•   It is preferable to mount your work on poster board or have it framed (reminder: we only have thumbtacks to mount).

•   You are responsible for hanging and taking down your artwork before and after the meeting.

•   The art show poster board area will be in Pauley Pavilion.

Worm Variety Show

Saturday, June 27: Join us after dinner on the Royce Quad for the sixth Worm Variety Show hosted by Curtis Loer and Morris Maduro. This year, contributions are being solicited from Worm Labs in advance of the show. Help us make this a community experience to remember! Please see here for more information and links to videos of past Worm Shows.

Genetics Society of America Poster Awards

Awards will be given for the best poster presentations by GSA student members. If you are a Genetics Society of America member, the first AND presenting author on the abstract and an undergraduate or graduate student you may nominate your poster for an award. The following prizes will be awarded: 1st place - $400, 2nd place - $300, 3rd place - $200, 4th place - $100, 5 honorable mentions will receive GSA's Conversations in Genetics. Both scientific merit and clarity of presentation will be taken into account. Winners will be announced at the dinner on Saturday night.

Advocacy Presentation

Friday, June 26

11:45 am - 12:45 pm

DeNeve Private Dining Room

We will discuss the latest policy and legislative news affecting funding for NIH, describe why it is important for scientists to speak out about issues that affect their grants and research, and share tips for engaging in advocacy. Sign up online with registration. Space is limited to 50 attendees.