Plenary Speaker - Prof. Joachim Frank
Copyright © 2009, Matthias Floetenmeyer
CONFERENCE AIMS
The Asia-Pacific Congress on Electron Tomography (APCET) will be held in Brisbane - the beautiful capital city of the state of Queensland (QLD) in AUSTRALIA from Saturday January 31 through Wednesday February 4, 2009. This meeting represents the first opportunity to bring together world leaders in the field of electron tomography of molecules and cells outside of Europe or North America, and will foster the exchange of ideas and technical information among biologists, biophysicists, computer scientists, mathematicians, materials scientists and electron optical instrumentation specialists in an open interdisciplinary environment.
Electron tomography (ET) has emerged as a powerful method for the study and visualization of molecules in situ in a near-native cellular context, and is proving to be an increasingly useful analytical tool in materials science applications. Consequently, although not quite 'mainstream', ET has moved from a highly specialized experimental technique practiced by a just a handful of laboratories to one that is delivering critical new information in the areas of nanobiology, molecular cell biology, structural biology, materials science and bioinformatics.
For students and experts alike, this conference aims to cover emerging issues and recent advances related to new developments in technology/instrumentation for studying molecules and cells in 3D by ET as well as new applications in ET for addressing major research challenges in modern biology and medicine. In particular, this conference presents a unique training opportunity for Australasian scientists and students to learn about cutting-edge developments in ET methodology and application.
A highlight of the meeting will be the Plenum Lecture 'Electron Tomography Has Come of Age: from Molecules to Organelles to Cells to Tissues' by Prof. Joachim Frank, Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator & Professor, Dept. of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, and Dept. of Biology, Columbia University, New York, USA. This retrospective will be delivered at the Gala Conference Dinner on the evening of Tuesday, February 3.
"At a time when tomograms can be obtained with the push of a button, when cells start to be inventoried in their entirety, and when artifact-free cutting of high-pressure frozen cells or tissues with ion beams has become possible, 'old-timers' of the craft experience a sense of living in the future. In my talk I will trace back to how we got here, but also try to extrapolate and speculate what surprises the next meetings might bring."
VENUE
The UQ Centre at the University of Queensland in Brisbane is an excellent conference venue with ample space for poster displays, breakout areas for relaxed chats and networking, a dedicated 500-seat lecture theatre as well as private meeting room facilities for more serious discussions. The St Lucia campus is easily accessed by taxi, bus - or if you prefer to avoid traffic and take the scenic river route - by CityCat.
The UQ Centre is centrally located, just a short walk past the UQ Aquatic Centre from the University's CityCat terminal on the Brisbane River.
LOCATION
Google™ Maps Australia website (maps and directions service)