Zebrafish Research Meeting to Highlight Advances in Genetics and Developmental Biology

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Newswise BETHESDA, MD Nearly 900 scientists from 27 countries will attend the 11th International Conference on Zebrafish Development and Genetics organized by the Genetics Society of America (GSA), June 2428, 2014, in Madison, Wisconsin. The conference will feature 600 presentations of cutting-edge research results on topics including embryonic and adult development, functional genomics, regenerative medicine, chemical biology, emerging technologies, evolution, and cancer as well as cardiovascular, digestive, and infectious diseases. In addition to the scientific programming, the GSA has organized several sessions designed to provide career development for the 60% of student and postdoctoral attendees; this includes a daylong pre-conference Trainee Bootcamp that will provide guidance on obtaining research funding and pursuing careers within and beyond academia.

One of the highlights of the meeting will be the Chi-Bin Chien Award lecture on Thursday, June 26th, which is presented by an outstanding graduate student, postdoctoral trainee, or recently appointed faculty member. This award honors zebrafish researcher Dr. Chi-Bin Chien (19652011) and his enthusiasm for the discussion of scientific ideas and the synergistic ideas that arise from interactions and open conversation among researchers, his efforts to mentor and support young scientists, and the collaborative and generous spirit with which he contributed to advances in zebrafish research. The 2014 awardee and only the second recipient of this award is postdoc Andrea Pauli, PhD (Harvard University), who will speak about her work on developmental genomics: From genomics to novel gene functions in zebrafish.

The zebrafish (Danio rerio) is a popular model organism for studying vertebrate development and genetics, because it is : 1) well-characterized at the molecular and behavioral levels, 2) practical to work with in a laboratory setting, 3) able to regenerate several of its organs, and 4) large and transparent during embryonic development. Because of its genetic similarity to humans, the zebrafish is also a common model for human disease and toxicity testing. As with other model organisms around which GSA organizes conferences, research using zebrafish has enabled breakthrough discoveries in genetics that have advanced our understanding of fundamental biology and provided valuable insights into human disease. The biennial conference brings together leading laboratories using this important organism, and will showcase some of the latest significant developments in genetics research.

For additional information, please see the conference website at http://www.genetics-gsa.org/zebrafish/2014/.

Media Eligibility:

The 11th International Conference on Zebrafish Development and Genetics is open to media representatives, including those from bona fide print, broadcast, radio, and online venues, and freelance writers on a verifiable assignment from an established news source. Please contact press@genetics-gsa.org for information about complimentary press registration.

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About the Genetics Society of America (GSA) Founded in 1931, the Genetics Society of America (GSA) is the professional scientific society for genetics researchers and educators. The Societys more than 5,000 members worldwide work to deepen our understanding of the living world by advancing the field of genetics, from the molecular to the population level. GSA promotes research and fosters communication through a number of GSA-sponsored conferences including regular meetings that focus on particular model organisms. GSA publishes two peer-reviewed, peer-edited scholarly journals: GENETICS, which has published high quality original research across the breadth of the field since 1916, and G3: Genes|Genomes|Genetics, an open-access journal launched in 2011 to disseminate high quality foundational research in genetics and genomics. The Society also has a deep commitment to education and fostering the next generation of scholars in the field. For more information about GSA, please visit http://www.genetics-gsa.org.

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Zebrafish Research Meeting to Highlight Advances in Genetics and Developmental Biology