CCMB is organising a two-day symposium on Comparative and Functional Genomics as part of eighth ADNAT convention on February 23 and 24, 2004 at Hyderabad. The theme of the symposium underscores the recent advances in the understanding of gene functions, using comparative analysis of genome sequences and various genome manipulation techniques.
Availability of complete sequences of the human genome and that of many other model organisms representing different levels of biological complexities has ushered modern biology into a new era. The plethora of genome information has not only fundamentally changed the way biologists are now conducting much of their research but newer applications of this knowledge has pervaded many walks of human life.
The next major challenge for biologists is to understand the functions of various genes. Comparative analysis of genome sequences through tools of bioinformatics, large scale gene expression analysis using microarrays and proteomics approaches are some of the new powerful ways for acquiring knowledge about the function of genes.
Manipulation of genome of model animals and plants is proving to be another powerful method for understanding the function of a given gene in a related species. The recent sequencing of genome of mouse, a model organism for research in human biology and medicine, is a major landmark in our efforts to understand functions of our own genes. Through manipulation of mouse genome and analysis of the resultant phenotype, in vivo functions of genes are being deciphered at an ever-increasing pace.
Invited speakers at the symposium include Robin Lovell (NIMR, London, UK), Andras Nagy (Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute, Toronto, Canada), Allan Bradley (Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Cambridge, UK), Walter Birchmeier (MDCM, Berlin, Germany), Alan Clarke (Cardiff School of Biosciences, Cardiff, UK), Christine Orengo (University College London, London, UK), Philippe Lashermes (IRD, Montpellier, France), Carmen Birchmeier (MDCM, Berlin, Germany), Andreas Graner (IPK, Gatersleben, Germany), Sameer Brahmachari (IGIB, New Delhi), Seyed Hasnain (CDFD, Hyderabad), and M Vijayan (IISc, Bangalore).
The symposium would touch upon issues such as – mouse genomics, transgenic and gene knockout mice technologies, sex determination, human genetic disorders, structural genomics, functional genomics of microbes etc.
Registration fee for ADNAT members and students is Rs.1000/-, for individuals from academic institutions it is Rs.1200/- and for corporate nominees it is Rs.3000/-. Interested participants may contact Satish Kumar, convenor (satishk@ccmb.res.in) or Ramesh Aggarwal, co-convenor (rameshka@ccmb.res.in). Tel: 040-27160222-41. Web: www.ccmb.res.in/adnat.