[BiO BB] Biochemical Society of Kenya - Bioinformatics Workshop and Annual Scientific Symposium

[Paul Mireji]

Dear All,
Kindly circulate within your networks and accept my apologies for
cross-posting.

*Biochemical Society of Kenya*

* **Bioinformatics Workshop and Annual Scientific Symposium*

*Call for Applications and Papers*

The Biochemical Society of Kenya (BSK) was formed in 1980, as a society for
scientist involved in research and teaching of biochemistry and related
subjects in Kenya. The society has since grown to include members in
academic and research institutions across Africa and beyond, and encompass
all aspects of cellular and molecular life Sciences,
bioinformatics/computational biology and related functional genomics
studies. The primary goal of the society is to advance knowledge of the
members through annual 1) short inductive trainings in contemporary
research methodologies and tools to enhance their ability to design,
interrogate and understand scientific research/outputs and 2) symposia to
share research experiences and communicate the scientific outputs of their
investigations. Trypanosomiasis Research Centre (TRC) is one of the 23 main
centres of the Kenya Agricultural Reseach Institute (KARI) with a mandate
to carry out research and develop technologies for effective control of
tsetse and trypanosomiasis in the country. In 2004, the Centre was
competitively selected by the World Health Organization Special Programme
on Tropical Diseases Research (WHO/TDR) as the lead organization in Africa
to coordinate the capacity strengthening activities for human African
trypanosomiasis (HAT).  The Centre is also the Biosciences eastern and
central Africa Network (BecANet) Centre of Excellence for Tsetse &
Trypanosomiasis Research and Training. In these initatives, TRC works with
government agencies, regional research and academic institutions to
strengthen the biomedical capacity in the areas of Vector Biology and
Ecology, Biology of parasites, drug resistance, diagnostics,
parasite/vector genetics, applied genomics/bioinformatics, vector control,
data analysis/ management/ presentation and development of animal disease
models.  KARI-TRC is a founder member of Eastern African Network of
Trypanosomiasis
(EANETT).<http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=eanett&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CCkQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.swisstph.ch%2Fabout-us%2Fdepartments%2Fmedical-parasitology-infection-biology%2Fparasite-chemotherapy%2Feastern-africa-network-for-trypanosomosis-eanet>The
institution is also an active participant in the International
*Glossina* Genome Initiative (IGGI),
<https://www.vectorbase.org/content/international-glossina-genome-initiative> a
WHO/TDR initiative that is advancing tsetse genomics activities and works
with Fogarty International Center at National Institutes of Health (USA) to
build capacity in tsetse/trypanosomiasis research. Yale School of Public
Health (YSPH) <http://publichealth.yale.edu/index.aspx> has  been working
with the TRC and their collaborators to strengthen the biomedical capacity
and to acquire and implement the recent advances in applied vector
genomics, genetics and bioinformatics in their research activities to
enhance the existing HAT control/management tools.



The BSK in collaboration with TRC, Institute of Primate Research
(IPR)<http://www.primateresearch.org/>,
Yale School of Public Health (YSPH)<http://publichealth.yale.edu/index.aspx>,
and Technical University of Kenya (TUK) <http://www.tukenya.ac.ke/> invites
applications for bioinformatics workshop and scientific symposium.  The
workshop will be held on September 2-10, 2013 at TRC Campus in Muguga
Kenya, and the 19th international conference/symposium on September 11-13,
2013 at Kenya School of Government, Nairobi, Kenya.

* *

*Workshop (*September 2-10, 2013)**

*Theme: From Genomes to Functions, a Practical Approach to Interrogating
Genomic Data *

*Scope*

The workshop will update the participants on recent developments in genome
sequencing and analyses and equip participants with theoretical knowledge
and practical skills for designing genomics based research experiments to
understand biological phenomena.

*Learning outcomes:*

At the end of the course, the participants will be gain:

1)       Working knowledge of genome/transcriptome sequencing and
understanding of current status genome sequencing projects and
opportunities, especially in trypansomiasis.

2)       Skills for designing experiments involving/exploiting high
throughput Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) technology.

3)       Skill for generation and processing of the NGS data to identify
genes associated phenotypes of interest

4)       Downstream functional genomics process for validation of the NGS
based findings.



The consortium has arrays of NGS data and tools from real world experiments
in trypanosomiasis research that will be used for training. Participants
will be encouraged to interrogate their own data where possible in the
context of the training.



*Requirements*

Basic computational knowledge

Basic understanding of molecular biology



*Target Audience *

Postgraduate students, postdoctoral scientist, scientist and academicians
interested in applying NGS technology to understand biological phenomena.

* *

* *

*Conference and Symposia (11th-13th Sept 2013)*

The BSK symposium will be held jointly with the 19th International
Scientific Conference 2013 on Basic and Clinical Research for Improved
Health<http://www.primateresearch.org/index.php/component/content/article?layout=edit&id=119>and
the Kenya Society for Immunology (KSI) Symposium

* *

*Theme: * *Closing the Gap in Bioscience; Challenges and Opportunities***

*Scope:*

The consortium is seeking for original research contributions presenting
innovative advances in genomics research, concepts and solutions in the
areas outline below.

   1. *Immunology and pathology of diseases.***
   2. *Fertility and contraceptive research.*
   3. *Drug discovery and product testing.*
   4. *Diagnostic research.*
   5. *Basic pathogen and disease studies.*
   6. *Ecology and conservation.*
   7. *Non-communicable diseases.*
   8. *Socio-economic aspects of biomedical research.*
   9. *Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs).*
   10. *Agriculture and Food Security.*

*Registration for Participation*

* *

* *

* *

*19th Int. Conference/Symposia**

*Status*

*Workshop*

*Early*

*Late*

Local Student

Ksh 15,000

Ksh 2000

Ksh 3,000

Local Participants

Ksh 25,000

Ksh 7,000

Ksh 10,000

International Participants/Students

US $400

$150

$200

Industry

Ksh 50,000

Ksh 20000

Ksh 20000

* Those who have already applied through the 19th International Scientific
Conference 2013 on Basic and Clinical Research for Improved
Health<http://www.primateresearch.org/index.php/component/content/article?layout=edit&id=119>secretariat
do not need to submit their application for the
Conference/symposium again.

*Those that will pay for the Workshop and participate will be given free
access to the 19th International conference /symposia (i.e they will not
pay registration charges for 19th International conference)



*The payments should be made to account below or on arrival*
National Museums of Kenya-IPR,

Standard Chartered Bank
Karen Branch
Account No: 0102044700000
please send a scanned copy of payment slip to:  isc2013 at primateresearch.org



*Submission of Application*

1)       *Workshop and Symposium*

All applications for the workshop and symposium should be submitted online
using the link below.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1zxs8jO2KYbBQcI5_2LeLTwSuMrxlzNQ_355URiUeEko/viewform



2)       *Workshop Only*

*An institutional letter of support *(ie, letter from your supervisor,
department chair, division, or organizational director) which specifically
comments on potential impact of the training in enhancing research output
and capacity building in your institution. Please note: We anticipate some
letters may be available for submission after the application
deadline.*Please submit to
peterpaul.mireji at yale.edu *at your earliest convenience.



*Sponsorship*

The consortium has limited funds to facilitate participation by needy
applicants. The sponsorship will competitively be awarded and will not
cover travel-related costs for the workshop and symposium. These costs will
have to be covered by the participants.

* *

*Important Dates*

* *

*Deadline for submission of application**
                Jul 31, 2013*

*Early registration

Jul 31, 2013*

*Late registration

Sept 6, 2013*

*Publication of abstract book
                                                          Sept 8, 2013*

*Workshop:
Sept 2 - 10, 2013***

*Conference/symposia
               Sept 11-13, 2013*

*Release of published Conference proceedings                           Oct
31, 2013*

Questions can be directed to Paul Mireji at *peterpaul.mireji at yale.edu *and
secretariat at* *isc2013 at primateresearch.org