Welcome! We are excited to present to you, “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Biomolecular Galaxy: A Purdue Mini-symposium on Integrating Structure, Function, and Interactions of the Biomolecular Universe.” We believe this event will provide an exceptional networking opportunity for faculty members, postdoctoral scholars, graduate and undergraduate students with diverse areas of expertise but a shared interest in structural biology and biophysics of macromolecules. We have organized this symposium with the hope of developing a network of scientists to foster new collaborations and strengthen existing ones.

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The symposium will take place on May 9-10, 2018, on the campus of Purdue University.

Research from many departments will be highlighted in five scientific sessions such as:

• Disease, Pathogenesis and Therapeutics

• Biophysical Methods and Emerging Techniques

• Disorder and Conformational Plasticity in Macromolecules

• Macromolecular Complexes and Assemblies

• Computational Biology

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We are also happy to receive suggestions for additional/alternative scientific sessions. Ultimately, this symposium is organized to provide an enjoyable and enriching experience for the attendees. We would be grateful for your input to make this the best event it can possibly be.

We invite you to join us for the symposium. Registration is free, and includes a form for abstract submission, as well as preference for type of presentation. Space is limited and we ask that you register soon. Please check our program regularly for updates.

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Important Dates

• February 15th - Early registration opens

• May 2nd at 5:00 pm - Abstract Submission Deadline

• May 4th - Registration Closes

• May 8th - Career Panel @ Lafayette Brewing Company

• May 9th - Symposium Starts

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Best Presentation

Thanks to our generous sponsors, we will have prizes for best posters and oral presentations.

• Undergraduate: Poster ($100)

• Graduate: Poster ($150), Oral ($200)

• PostDoc: Poster ($150), Oral ($200) 

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Oral Presentation and Poster Size

Oral Presentation: 20 minutes for a talk and 5 minutes for questions (Strictly enforced). Those not selected for oral presentations will automatically be considered for a poster presentation if desired.

Poster Size: Posters should be the standard 48 inches in width by 36 inches in height. Posters 48 inches in width by 48 inches in height can also be accommodated. (Display surface 4'x6'; Approximate hieght of the unit 6"; Support legs instead 18", each direction from the center of the display unit.) Abstracts are 300 word limit strictly enforced.

We look forward to your participation!

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Travel Grants

We are pleased to announce that ‘The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Biomolecular Galaxy’ 2018 will be offering travel grants to presenters that are traveling from outside of the Purdue area. You may submit your application to PurdueBiomolecularGalaxy@gmail.com. All applications are due by April 27, 2018.

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Application requirements:

In 500 words or less, explain how participating in this symposium will advance and develop your scientific, professional, and career goals. If you’ve attended this symposium in the past, tell us about your experience. If this will be your first time attending this symposium, tell us what you hope to gain by attending. Eligibility for this grant requires attendance at the career session, as well as a oral presentation and/or a poster presentation.

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Clearly state your name, department, and college/university on your application and submit your essay with your CV/resume as a single file to PurdueBiomolecularGalaxy@gmail.com.

You must be registered for an oral or poster presentation to be eligible. Please note that we will not consider your application until we have received your online abstract submission.

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This travel grant can be used for up to $150 in travel-related expenses (mileage, hotel, parking, food to/from symposium - max of $12/meal, etc.). Please remember to save your itemized receipts as only expenses documented by itemized receipts will be reimbursed, at the discretion of the organizational committee.

 

The reimbursement form and all receipts must be submitted to Tara Flook (tflook@purdue.edu) within 30 days of travel.

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TTP labtech Mosquito Demonstration

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A demonstration led by a TTP labtech representative is available on May 8th. If you are interested, visit the TTP website for more information on the Mosquito!

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Art of Science​

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We encourage all registrants to bring along posters, prints, or physical models which explore the interplay between art and science. These could consist of processed images generated using data. We suggest a display size no smaller than 18” x 24” and no larger than 36” x 48”. A 1-3 sentence description of the image could be included. These images will be displayed in parallel with the regular poster session. Please contact the organizers if you need space for a physical (non-poster) display. We hope that this exhibit will help seed interesting conversations and facilitate more interactions among attendees. One item of exceptional aesthetic merit, as judged by the symposium organizers, will be chosen for prizes.