Cohorts and Consortia
From Biotechnology to Populations

June 17 - 19, 2009
Rimrock Resort, Banff, AB

Genes and Environment. Cohort and Case-Control Consortia. Biotechnology and Epidemiology.

Molecular epidemiologic research relies on a variety of tools and information to unravel the complex associations with disease etiologies. By necessity, the numbers of participants and biologic samples must be very large. The strategies for analysis can be quite complex.

Consortia of existing studies evolved to address these needs and have provided insight into associations of genetic factors with disease. They remain limited, however, in their uniform collection of biologic tissues, serum markers and environmental exposures. Cohort studies, on the other hand, espouse unique opportunities to inform both genetic and environmental etiologies of cancer and other chronic diseases.

  • How can newly-established studies, particularly national cohorts, and their associated biorepositories integrate into global cohorts and biorespositories to overcome challenges associated with the need for very large numbers of participants and biologic samples?

  • Which biotechnology advances will enable maximal information generation with minimal input?

  • What types of bioinformatics applications have successfully evaluated multidimensional characteristics of human disease?

  • How do outstanding issues of consent, confidentiality and commercialization threaten the access to genetic databases?

We’ll explore these and other important themes at the Cohorts and Consortia 2009 conference through 2 ½ days of keynote debates, panel discussions, sessions, activities and working group meetings. Don’t miss this opportunity to be at the forefront of a global endeavor!

Poster Abstract Submission
Submission deadline: May 18, 2009, 11:59pm Mountain Daylight Time (North America)

The Cohorts and Consortia 2009 Conference will include poster sessions during which conference delegates will have the opportunity to showcase related research. Posters addressing themes of the conference sessions will be accepted under broad categories of molecular epidemiologic research: 1) cohort or consortia or biorepository development and 2) analyses arising from molecular epidemiologic study designs. Posters will be evaluated on novelty, quality of presentation, significance to conference priority themes and potential contribution to cohort, consortia or biorepository research.

Scholar-in-Training Travel Awards
Application Deadline: May 18, 2009, 11:59pm Mountain Daylight Time (North America)

Scholar-in-training travel awards are intended to provide travel supplements for students and trainees attending the Cohorts and Consortia 2009 conference. Travel award amounts will vary depending of the geographic location of the recipient. Successful applicants will be notified by May 22, 2009.

 

 

 

KEYNOTE DEBATE : What should be the priorities for cohort studies?

Priority should be given to ensuring long-term sustainability of existing cohorts

Debater: Graham Colditz, MD, DrPH, Washington University, School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO

Priority should be given to establishing new cohorts

Debater: John Potter, MD, PhD, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA


CO-CHAIRS

Linda Kelemen, MSc, ScD, Alberta Cancer Board, Calgary, Alberta 

Paolo Boffetta, MD, MPH IARC, Lyon, France and Chairperson, AACR-MEG Steering Committee

SCIENTIFIC PROGRAM COMMITTE
       
Paula J Robson, PhD, Alberta Cancer Board, Edmonton, Alberta

John D Potter, MD, PhD, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and University of Washington, Seattle, WA

Cornelia Ulrich, PhD, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and University of Washington, Seattle, WA and Chairperson-Elect, AACR-MEG Steering Committee

Gloria Petersen, PhD, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN and Member, AACR-MEG Steering Committee

 

 

ORGANIZERS:


SPONSORing agencies:



University of Calgary Research Grants Committee

For additional information:
Email