Although it’s warm and sunny at EpiGenie’s headquarters, we know that most of the northern hemisphere is counting the days to spring. Researchers hungry for great epigenetics and ncRNA conferences also have a lot to look forward to with an impressive line up of conference options kicking off in March.
We’ve been paralyzed trying to decide what meeting we’ll attend during what is probably the most loaded month of the year, so we won’t attempt to pick a winner, but rather highlight why each of these is so appealing.
Epigenetics & Chromatin: Interactions and Processes 2013
March 11th
The organizers at Biomed Central and Epigenetics & Chromatin have outdone themselves with this agenda. There’s a great lineup of talks that focus on some of the most rapidly evolving epigenetic mechanisms and interactions. We wouldn’t miss the sessions on Methylating and demethylating DNA, Interactions between non-coding RNA and chromatin, and Chromatin interactions. But, to be honest, picking favorite sessions for this one is harder than choosing our favorite beer.
Clinical Epigenetics International Meeting
March 14th
For our European friends, or those looking to for an excuse to head to Europe this spring, this meeting organized by the Clinical Epigenetics Society will be held at the Romantikhotel Gravenberg in the Bergisches Land region of Germany. This meeting is a bit lighter on the number of talks, which is great if you’re like us and start getting meeting migraines after too many talks. Topics will cover epigenetics in diseases and disorders like autism, Parkinson’s Disease, and diabetes to name a few.
RNA Silencing 2013
March 19th
This Keystone Symposia meeting is held in Whistler, British Columbia during peak spring skiing season. We could stop right here as that’s reason enough to attend, but if you’re not a mountain type, you’ll find plenty of reasons to make the trip.
One of our favorite aspects of this meeting is the number of talks that focus on the intersection of RNA and epigenetic mechanisms. The two-part session: piRNAs and RNA-Mediated Epigenetic Modification is jammed with 10+ talks. Plus, there’s a few nice talks on longer ncRNA as well, one of our favorite topics.
Epigenetic Marks and Cancer Drugs
March 20th
Here’s another great Keystone meeting in Santa Fe. This agenda ties together epigenetics topics like chromatin structure and transcription in the context cancer and cancer therapies. One of our favorite tracks will be the Polycomb and Trithorax in Gene Expression and Cancer session which will feature six talks that tackle the delicate tango between these two antagonistic chromatin minglers. There are also a number of big names that will no doubt deliver great talks on topics from chromatin/transcription to ncRNA and enhancers.
Environmental Epigenetics: New Frontiers in Autism Research
March 22nd
Sacramento might not compete with these other conferences on location, but man does this conference have a great agenda. This two-day symposium focusing on how the intersection of the environment and epigenetics in autism has a great lineup of speakers including a few of our favorite’s: Dr. Janine LaSalle and Dr. Dana Dolinoy.
We highly recommend this one to those looking to stay on top of the ever-evolving view of autism. While you’re at it, why not wrap in a long weekend to Napa or Tahoe?