Naracoorte Caves, South Australia

Mathematical biology is set to become a key focus of future scientific research in Australia and worldwide, due to the enormous technological advances in our ability to generate genetic data that have occurred over the past 1-2 years. The Adelaide Conference on Mathematical Evolutionary Biology aims to bridge the current gap between the fields of modern biological research and applied mathematical research in Australia, particularly in the study of phylogeny and molecular evolution. This 5 day conference is the first of an annual series which is designed to develop research collaborations within mathematical evolutionary biology, and is closely related to the very successful New Zealand Phylogenetics Meeting series (see http://www.math.canterbury.ac.nz/bio/whitianga08/). The leading researchers from the NZ series will attend the Adelaide meeting to facilitate communication between the mathematical and biological fields - identifying key conceptual and terminology differences, and over-coming the domain barriers which currently prevent interaction of these groups within Australia.

The meeting will feature a mix of general/introductory talks with discussions of work in progress and the presentation of current biological problems/analytical methods. Attendance will be limited to 50 places to generate an informal collaborative atmosphere. Talks will be short, with extended breaks to encourage interaction and discussion, along with social BBQ's at the caves and other events (local wine tours, cave trips). Key topic areas will include phylogenetics, evolutionary rates and dates, coalescent models, population genetics, phylogenetic networks, evolutionary theory/models, search algorithms.

Attendance is very limited, and accommodation and flights will be heavily booked after the Easter break, so please plan well in advance. There will be a limit of 25 talks over the duration of the conference and students are encouraged to attend and present talks in the Student Symposium on Thursday evening.

Alan Cooper
School of Earth & Environmental Sciences (Ancient DNA)

Jack Da Silva
School of Molecular & Biomedical Science (Genetics)

Jim Denier
School of Mathematical Sciences (Applied Mathematics)

Nigel Bean
School of Mathematical Sciences (Applied Mathematics)

Program

Daily Planner 25 -30 March, 2008, last update 21/3/08

Key note speakers:

	David Penny, Professor of Theoretical Biology Area of research: "All organisms carry their history in their genes"		Allen Rodrigo, Professor of Computational Biology and Bioinformatics and Director of New Zealand's Bioinformatics Institute at the University of Auckland, NZ Area of research: Bioinformatics and computational biology, phylogenetics and evolutionary genetics, and the molecular evolution of viruses.
	Mike Hendy, Professor of Mathematics at Massey University Institute of Fundamental Sciences Area of research: Phylogenetics, evolutionary rates, combinatorics		Due to personal commitments, Peter Lockhart is no longer able to attend the conference as originally advertised. Sorry for the inconvenience. Barbara Holland has kindly offered to present as a Keynote Speaker

Venue

Registration

• Standard Conference registration AUD $200.00 (includes bus transfers, lunches and BBQs)
• Student Conference registration AUD $ 100.00 (includes bus transfers, lunches and BBQs)

No single day registration available.

Registration form download here. We are still taking registrations until the end of February or until conference is full.

Abstract: If you are interested in presenting a general introductory talk on a particular area, email your abstract to Maria (refer to contact details below) by 25th February. There is a limit of 25 talks during the conference (excluding Student Sessions on Thursday evening).

Complete, sign and return the registration form via fax (or copy by email) or post, with payment to:
Maria Lekis
The University of Adelaide, School of Earth & Environmental Sciences
Darling Building, North Terrace Campus
South Australia 5005
AUSTRALIA

Ph: +61 8 8303 3952 | Fax: +61 8 8303 4364 | Email: maria lekis at adelaide.edu.au

Accommodation

Delegates should look to make their own accommodation bookings. Please refer to details below as we have negotiated a special discount rate for delegates of this conference with a few companies. You have the option of a hotel/motel style situated at Naracoorte city, a 20 minute drive from Blanche Cave (conference site). A daily bus shuttle will be specifically organised for this conference that will collect and transfer delegates from Naracoorte Town Hall to the conference site and return. Please note pick-up times under the heading 'Transport'. Outside these times, the bus shuttle will not operate and therefore you should plan for a 1-2 hour walk to or back from the conference site should you miss the shuttle. Tip: look for accommodation within close walking distance to the Naracoorte Town Hall - 95 Smith Street, Naracoorte.

1. Country Roads Motor Inn, call toll free +61 180 008 8363: Web: http://countryroadsnaracoorte.com.au/. Price for standard single $89. Call to make bookings and quote 'University of Adelaide Conference'
2. Comfort Inn, William MacIntosh, Ph + 61 8 8762 1644
3. Naracoorte Holiday Park Cabins, Ph +61 8762 2128
4. Naracoorte Hotel Motel, Ph +61 8762 2400. Single room rates with shared bathroom facilities $35.00 per night and $55.00 for twin share. Web: http://www.naracoortehotel.com.au/
5. Visit the Naracoorte Visitor Information Centre for additional Hotel/Motels here
6. Alternatively, for those wishing to camp there is a camping ground situated by Blanche Cave. Delegates must bring own tents. Separate female and male shower and toilet facilities with power sites are available. Cost is $6 per tent per night. Contact 08 8762 2340 and quote the conference name to place a booking at the special camp rate. Please note: Naracoorte Park has a purpose built camp site therefore you will be sharing the grounds with other travelers/visitors.

Transport

Transfers from Adelaide to Naracoorte and return is available to delegates as part of their registration fee. Note this covers a transfer only at the start and end dates of the conference - depart Adelaide to Naracoorte Tuesday 25th March around 10am, pickup venue TBC and return Sunday 30th March, depart Naracoorte around 9:30am and transfer to Adelaide City. Rest break at Keith. Allow for a 5 hour drive.

Delegates who choose to arrive or depart outside the start and end dates of the conference will have to make their own travel arrangement to Naracoort/return.
Premier Stateliner Coach operates a daily bus service (Mon-Sat) departing Adelaide at 8:15am. Price is around $57.00 per person. Depart from Adelaide Terminal, 85 Franklin Street, Adelaide City.

Return from Naracoorte to Adelaide City Bus service operates daily Mon-Sat, departing Naracoorte at 9:30am from Battery Service Centre, 170 Smith Street Naracoorte. Please make bookings in advance to avoid the hassle of booking on the day. Check their online booking here to confirm travel times as these may differ to what is quoted above.
Premier Stateliner Coach contact phone +61 8 8415 5555 or Email: reservations@premierstateliner.com.au

There will be a daily bus shuttle to transfer delegates from their hotel/motel to Blanche Cave(conference site): Delegates should be ready outside their hotel/motel ready for pickup by 8:30am during conference days for a 9:30am start at Blanche Cave

Site seeing in South Australia

Things to do at Naracoorte [view Naracoorte tourism site]

• Tourism South Australia
• Adelaide City
• Currency
• Travel to Australia - General Information

• See extinct animals brought back to life at the Wonombi Fossil Centre
• Visit the Award winning Sheep's Back Museum and Limestone Landscapes Exhibition at the Visitor Information Centre
• View migratory birds at Bool Lagoon from the boardwalks and be sure to visit Bourne's Bird Museum along the way
• Go for a trail ride with Limestone Coast Horse Riding
• Visit Yulgibar Wood Gallery for quality hand crafted pieces