EMS  Annual Meeting 2006 : Vancouver , British Columbia, 

Why Attend the EMS Meeting?

The Environmental Mutagen Society is the primary society for scientists involved in environmental mutagenesis, the consequences of mutation such as cancer, and the evaluation of mutagenic and carcinogenic risks. The Annual Meeting provides attendees with a unique opportunity to learn about recent and important advances in these and related areas. The meeting brings together teachers and basic scientists with those striving to assess the safety of environmental and pharmaceutical agents. The result is a dynamic meeting that is sufficiently large enough to cover a broad range of contemporary topics yet focused and small enough to facilitate interactions between students and renowned scientists. We invite you to join us in Vancouver, and hope that you will enjoy the historical and cultural attractions while renewing old friendships and making new acquaintances.

Scientific Program

The broad subject of the EMS 37th Annual Meeting is designed to blend basic science technology, innovation, translational research, and regulatory concerns in a forum focused toward resolving critical issues cross-cutting environmental exposure, genetic susceptibility, and genotoxic outcomes leading to disease. The last decade has greatly increased our armamentarium for study of the genotoxic effects of threats to human health from chemicals, toxins, and radiations in our environment. Incisive molecular and structural studies have also augmented our understanding of many inherited and acquired genetic alterations that predispose individuals to cancer, premature aging, and other diseases. New animal models coupled with gene knockout and knockdown methodologies also have provided systems in which disease-relevant experiments can be carried out. These studies have been enhanced by high throughput technologies that facilitate mechanistic studies, by capitalizing on full genome sequences available in organisms ranging from bacteria to humans. We are now in a position to relate the effects of environmental hazards to genetic susceptibility and are seizing the opportunity to apply new technology and understanding to avoid toxic exposures, to diagnose diseases caused by genetic and environmental factors and to develop new treatment for these diseases. With these approaches, current research looks forward to providing new understanding of environmentally induced disease and to providing the basis for protective approaches required to mitigate the deleterious effects of genotoxicants and chemical toxins on our population. This program represents the great strengths of our multi-disciplinary Society and presents something for everyone. 
We invite you to enjoy it in Vancouver.

Registration Information

The registration fee for the 2006 EMS Annual Meeting includes admission to all scientific sessions and session breaks, the Sunday Technology Workshop (requires pre-registration), a continental breakfast for those registering for one of the Special Interest Group meetings, the Welcoming Reception, and the Banquet. The Registration Form is located on page 13 and is also located on the Web site www.ems-us.org. To register at the member rate, you must be a member of EMS.  If you would like to become a member of EMS, please visit the Web site to obtain an application form. Membership can 
be obtained at any time. 

Conference Site

The conference will be held at the Hyatt Regency Vancouver, 655 Burrard Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Modern architectural lines complement high standards of service at this 28-year-old hotel, which reopened in 2002 after extensive renovations. The spacious atrium-lobby features cherry-wood walls and custom-made floor tiles. The Hyatt is just 5 blocks from one end of a 12-mile-long seaside pathway that is suitable for walking, cycling, and in-line skating. The historical Robson Street is 2 blocks from the Hyatt. This unique street dates back to 1895 when train tracks were laid along it and a wide variety of small shops sprang up to serve Vancouver's rapidly growing population. Although the trains have long stopped running along Robson Street, its popularity has soared. The character of Robson Street has continued to evolve with an eclectic mix of shops and restaurants. Stanley Park, a 1,000-acre green space, is only 0.75 miles away; the park offers tennis courts and mountain-bike trails, as well as pools, a beach, a zoo, and a pitch-and-putt golf course. 
Guests staying at the 34-story Hyatt in downtown Vancouver can workout in the fitness center, which is equipped with treadmills, stair-climbing machines, lifecycles, and a universal gym. The business center, located off the hotel lobby, provides self-serve computers, private office space, and two boardrooms as well as secretarial services upon request. Cellular phone rentals, currency exchange, and translation services can all be arranged. Wheelchair accessible rooms are available. Persons with special needs should inform the hotel when making reservations. Check-in time is 4:00 PM and check-out time is 12:00 NOON.

Accommodations 

Special EMS conference rates are available until August 9 and are as follows: $176 (USD) for single/double rooms. All rates are subject to applicable taxes, currently 17%. Reservations can be made by (1) calling (604) 683-1234 and telling the reservation office that you are an EMS meeting participant, or (2) faxing the Hotel Reservation Request form (located on page 15) to the hotel at (604) 639-4829, or (3) making your reservation on-line through the EMS Web site at www.ems-us.org.

Meeting Overview

A varied format has been developed for this year's meeting. The program will be preceded by 4 Saturday workshops, many of them geared towards our students and young investigators. The program contains 9 symposia covering a spectrum of basic and applied topics, as well as 7 platform and 3 poster sessions. Work to be presented in the platform and poster sessions will be selected from abstracts. This format allows increased participation in oral presentation by members and conference attendees. The program also welcomes new interest groups through inclusion of sessions on Aquatic Model Systems, Biodefense, Epigenetics, Personalized Medicine, and Stem Cells. An hour and 40 minutes has been provided for lunch to allow ample time to interact/network with colleagues or just enjoy Vancouver. A Technology Workshop is included in the program on Sunday during the lunch hour, for those who want a more complete day. The program offers a variety of formats and options from which to pick and choose. 

Saturday Workshops

This year four workshops will be held on Saturday (separate registration is required for each workshop).
Workshops will:
• Highlight recent advancements in -omics technologies.
• Provide an overview of the current state of science education and introduce the concept of incorporating the spirit of research in teaching to enhance undergraduate science education.
• Develop grant writing skills and acquaint students and young investigators with funding opportunities.
• Acquaint students and junior investigators with the logistics of scientific publication, ins and outs of the peer review process, and address ethical issues relating to publication and review.
An overview of each workshop and its agenda is provided with the Saturday program. 

Technology Lunchtime Workshop

During the lunch hour on Sunday, a workshop will be held to highlight the impact and potential of high throughput technologies on basic and applied research and regulatory decision making. The workshop will be hosted by Agilent Technologies and a box lunch will be provided. Advance registration for this free workshop is required and attendance is limited to 75 people. Priority will be given to attendants who register in advance for the Saturday, Progress in -omics Technologies Workshop.

The Agilent Technologies Lunch Workshop will focus on advances in ChIP on chip technologies. This workshop will feature the latest ChIP on chip tools and products available from Agilent Technologies. A research presentation will highlight the new advances and applications in ChIP on chip work and will be followed by open discussions. As stated above, attendance is limited to 75 people so register early!

Special Interest Group Breakfasts

The various Special Interest Group Breakfasts will be held at 7:00 AM each day. If you are interested in attending, please check the appropriate box on the Registration Form. Only one breakfast is included in the registration fee (each additional breakfast is $15). See the Registration Form or Program for details. 

Program for Students and New Investigators

Several of the Saturday workshops are directed towards students and new investigators. A special poster session and reception will be held Saturday evening from 4:30 PM-7:00 PM. A program of interest to students, mentors and educators will be presented during the poster session from 5:30 PM-6:15 PM. This session will provide an opportunity for students and new or post-doctoral investigators to present their data to the meeting attendees (this presentation is in addition to the presentation that will be made during the week). On Monday at 7:00 AM-8:30 AM, students and new investigators are invited to attend a free breakfast workshop (mark this option on the Registration Form if you will be attending the breakfast).

Free Day for Students

Rather than register and attend the entire conference, a local student (not a post-doctoral investigator) may attend free of charge for one day only; food and tour not included. Application for this option should be made in advance, through EMS Headquarters. Please (1) state the day you wish to attend and (2) include a letter from your department chair stating that you are a student in good standing in that department.

Poster Presentations

Poster boards will be 8' (2.4m) wide and 4' (1.2m) tall. Posters will be on display Sunday and Monday from 11:30 AM-7:30 PM and Tuesday from 8:30 AM-1:30 PM. Scientific interchange between the general membership and the poster presenters will occur primarily during the poster sessions scheduled from 4:50 PM-7:30 PM on Sunday and Monday and from 11:00 AM-1:30 PM on Tuesday. Snacks and beverages will be available. 

Exhibits

Exhibits will be open Sunday and Monday, as well as Tuesday morning. The exhibits feature established and state-of-the-art products and services related to the advancement of research within mutagenesis, genomics, imaging, and related areas. At the EMS exhibition, scientists have a first-hand opportunity to talk with exhibitors, examine, and learn about the products and services on display. Companies interested in exhibiting should contact EMS Headquarters at emshq@ems-us.org or (703) 438-8220.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Several sponsorship opportunities are available for the 2006 EMS Annual Meeting. Some of the events to be sponsored include:
Workshops,  Beverage Breaks,  Welcoming Reception and Student Poster Session,  Symposia,  Special Interest Group Breakfasts.
For more information about becoming a sponsor, contact EMS Headquarters at brhame@ems-us.org or (703) 438-8220.

Coming to Canada (Entry, VISAs, etc.

Tuesday Afternoon Tour

Van Dusen Garden Tour with Lunch and Vancouver Aquarium Tour

Encounter the beauty and artistic diversity of Vancouver during this open afternoon activity. A deluxe motorcoach will transport you to the beautiful Van Dusen Botanical Garden. Upon arrival, you will be served a sumptuous lunch amidst the wonderful atmosphere of the gardens restaurant. There is ample time for a leisurely stroll through the Elizabethan hedge maze and walk the grounds that feature native and exotic plants and large sculptures and fountains before reboarding the motorcoach to go to the Aquarium. The award winning Vancouver Aquarium is located at the center of Stanley Park where you will have the opportunity to explore Canada's largest aquarium containing over 8,000 species of marine life, a fascinating journey into an underwater world. Advance registration is required, please select this option on the meeting Registration Form if you plan to attend.