REGISTRATION REQUEST and ABSTRACT SUBMISSION DEADLINE: MAY 23, 2022
To attend the conferences Jacques Monod, an abstract submission is mandatory,
Registrations request without abstract submission will not be processed, except in specific
cases (i. g. for Publishers : please contact chairperson).
Chairperson: Ross Frederick Waller
Department of Biochemistry University of Cambridge Hopkins Building, Tennis Court Road Cambridge, CB2 1QW United Kingdom
Phone: +44(0)1223 766057
Email: rfw26@cam.ac.uk
Vice-chairperson: Laure Guillou
Station Biologique de Roscoff, Place Georges Teissier, 29680 Roscoff. France
Phone: +33 (0)6 67 97 24 73
Email: lguillou@sb-roscoff.fr
Apicomplexans (including chromerids and colpodellids) and dinoflagellates (including perkinsids and Syndiniales) represent two major sister lineages of unicellular myzozoan eukaryotes that are heavily studied due to their importance in symbiotic associations, either as mutualistic or parasitic symbionts. The symbiotic associations that they represent include: ancient and recently gained endosymbiotic organelles; beneficial associations with marine animals, such as corals and other protists; and parasitic associations that cause disease in humans and animals as well as play important roles in controlling large algal bloom events. The research communities that study these two important lineages seldom meet, however, due to their general focus on either human/animal parasitic disease, or the biology and ecology of aquatic systems, respectively. Yet both lineages are derived from a common ancestor and maintain many unique cellular traits including those for their versatility of trophic modes, facility to form symbioses, and strategy for host penetration, feeding and invasion. Plastid (chloroplast) retention and derived mitochondrial genome biology and biochemistry are hallmarks of these lineages, and both display singular mitosis and cytokinesis. Moreover, well-developed or nascent genetic transformation tools for experimental investigations are available in each lineage providing new opportunities for exploring common and divergent biological traits. This meeting aims to bring together researchers broadly representing both fields to facilitate discussion, sharing and collaboration across these diverse yet related, fascinating and important biological systems. The meeting will span: 1) the taxonomic diversity of Myzozoa, including phylogenies, new lineages, and species concepts; 2) life cycle, organelle and genome evolution; 3) adaptations for symbiotic/parasitic interactions; 4) ecological studies, including epidemiological/modelling approaches, 5) and emerging research tools development. With recent advances in genomic resources, experimental tools, and global sampling methods, it is very timely to foster interaction to maximise the benefits for comparative biology across and within such important eukaryotic groups.
