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Date: Tue, 18 Mar 2003 10:44:25 -0500
X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook IMO, Build 9.0.2416 (9.0.2911.0)
Dear Friends,
In addition to the panel discussion below, we have received "discovery"
passes to the Bio-IT World Expo (see PS at the end of the message)
www.bioitworldexpo.com - let me know if you're interested. -- Pascal
INVITATION:
The Consulate of Switzerland, SHARE invites you to the "International
Bioinformatics Panel Discussion" that will take place:
at SHARE, Consulate of Switzerland
on Wednesday, March 26, 2003
from 6:30 to 8:30 PM
The topic
The mapping of the human genome and recent computational advances in looking
at proteins and genes have created vast amounts of data. Researchers are now
relying on computer and information technology to make sense of the data and
understand the interactions among all the molecules. Bioinformatics, as this
field is known, necessitates the expertise of both biological and
computational scientists. Our panel discussion will explore different facets
of bioinformatics as practiced by world-class research labs and institutes.
They will address issues such as:
a.. why is bioinformatics a "hot" field
b.. what major breakthroughs might bioinformatics bring
c.. why are large pharma companies investing in bioinformatics
d.. who will reap the benefits of the new advances in life sciences
e.. how do US and international bioinformatics institutes perform research
and education
f.. how do academic research institutions and companies collaborate
Interactive discussion with the experts
We expect the audience to take an active part in the discussion with the
following experts:
a.. Prof Charles deLisi, Biomolecular Systems Laboratory, Boston
University
b.. Prof Ernest Feytmans, Director, Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics
c.. Dr. Manuel Peitsch, Head of Informatics and Knowledge Management,
Novartis
d.. Prof Bruno Sobral, Director, Virginia Bioinformatics Institute,
Virginia Tech - moderator
e.. Dr. Ioannis Xenarios, Head of Bioanalysis, Serono International S.A.,
Geneva
Program
6:30 PM Registration
6:40 PM Welcome by Christoph von Arb, Consul and Director of SHARE
6:45 PM Introduction by the moderator
6:55 PM Interactive discussion with the experts
8:00 PM Networking reception
Practical Information
There is no cost to participate but seats are limited and advanced
registration is mandatory by email at pascal_at_creativeswitzerland.com or by
phone at (617) 876-3076. SHARE is located at 420 Broadway, close to Harvard
Square in Cambridge. As parking is limited in the neighborhood, we suggest
that you use public transportation. Directions can be found at:
http://www.shareboston.org/info/directions.shtml
Speakers' bios
-- Prof Charles DeLisi, Boston University
Charles DeLisi is the Arthur GB Metcalf Professor of Science and Engineering
at Boston University, and served as Dean of Engineering from 1990-2000. He
currently Chairs the Boston University Graduate Program in Bioinformatics
and is Director of the Center for Advanced Genomic Technology. He has
authored or co-authored more than 200 research papers in chemistry,
mathematics, immunology and genomics, and is founder and President of
Pharmadyne Inc, a biotech start-up focused on AIDS and other viral
diseases. In Jan 2000 he was awarded the Presidential Citizens Medal by
President Clinton for initiating the Human Genome Project.
-- Prof Ernest Feytmans, director of Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics
The Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (SIB) brings Swiss experts in
bioinformatics together and provides high quality services to the national
and international scientific community, by creating annotated protein
databases and new analysis software, by developing original methodologies
for the analysis of genomes, transcriptomes and proteomes, by developing
protein structure prediction tools, and by characterizing cell functions.
Members of the SIB include research groups in Geneva, Lausanne and Basel.
Ernest Feytmans is managing the SIB and coordinating its scientific
activities. He got a Ph.D. in cell biology and a Master in statistics. He is
a leader in bioinformatics and in protein structure studies, with more than
100 publications in cell, molecular and theoretical Biology. His research
interests focus lately on the prediction of protein 3D-structures using
atomic mean force potentials and on microarray data analysis. Before joining
the SIB in 2001, he held positions at Rockefeller University, the
University of California San Francisco, the University of the West Indies,
and he was a full professor at Namur University in Belgium where he
conducted research in his structural molecular lab for many years . He was
scientific manager in Starlab, a private company. He was also Dean of the
Faculty of Sciences in Namur and Chancellor of the Luxemburg University
Foundation.
-- Manuel Peitsch, Head of Informatics and Knowledge Management at Novartis
Manuel C. Peitsch has been Head of Informatics and Knowledge Management at
Novartis (IK_at_N) since 2001. Prior to joining Novartis, Dr. Peitsch held
positions at GlaxoSmithKline, the University of Lausanne and the National
Cancer Institute in Frederick, MD, US. He is a co-founder of GeneBio, the
Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics and GlaxoWellcome Experimental Research
S.A.
Prof Peitsch is a world-renowned leader in bioinformatics, with more than 90
publications and several patents and awards. His pioneering research
impacted bioinformatics by introducing high-throughput automated protein
modeling and Web-based computational structure biology. His findings and
developments in this area have had important implications for the use of
protein structures in biology. Most of Prof Peitsch's career has been
focused on cell death research (complement, T-cells and apoptosis),
bioinformatics (http://www.expasy.org , http://swissmodel.expasy.org) and
scientific computing in life sciences.
-- Prof Bruno Sobral, director of Virginia Bioinformatics Institute,
Virginia Tech
Professor of Plant Pathology, Physiology and Weed Science
Dr. Bruno Sobral has been Director of VBI at Virginia Tech
(https://www.vbi.vt.edu) and Professor of Plant Physiology, Pathology and
Weed Science since July of 2000, when VBI was created. VBI’s research
platform centers under the umbrella of host-pathogen-disease interactions.
Personally, he has a long-standing interest in reverse engineering living
systems, especially in agriculturally or environmentally important
organisms. His main wet laboratory research entails comparative genomics,
bioinformatics, proteomics, and the understanding of
host-pathogen-environment interactions. His key IT research is focus on
engineering robust and open frameworks for data and tool interoperability
and integration for Life Sciences. He previously served as Vice President of
Scientific Programs at the National Center for Genome Resources, and a keen
interest in international collaborations and university-industry
partnerships motivated Dr. Sobral’s other previous positions at
international non-profit institutes, including Genetica Americas, the Center
for Applications of Molecular Biology to International Agriculture, and the
California Institute of Biological Research.
-- Dr. Ioannis Xenarios, Head of Bioanalysis, Serono International S.A.,
Geneva
Dr. Xenarios is currently responsible of the bioanalysis genomic target team
at the Serono Pharmaceutical Research Institute in Geneva, Switzerland. His
main function is to develop algorithms to study cellular function and help
biologists prioritize targets in the context of the functional genomic
project. Previously, he was a postdoctoral fellow at UCLA in the group of
Prof David Eisenberg were he worked on the post-genomic prediction method of
functional linkages, protein protein interaction databases and other issues
linked to systems biology. Dr. Xenarios holds a PhD in immunology and
retrovirology from the University of Lausanne and the Ludwig Institute for
Cancer Research. His research in the field of protein and gene interactions
has been published in leading scientific papers.
With the support of:
PS: If you are interested in the Bio IT World Expo in Boston
(www.bioitworldexpo.com) that will takeplace March 25-27 in Boston, contact
me and I will send you a free pass to access the exihibition hall and key
note speeches!
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Received on Tue Mar 18 2003 - 09:45:34 PST
