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Event gets to the core of research
Have you ever needed help designing and conducting experiments, analysing data or developing a new technology? If you have a core facility at your institute, you know where to turn – such facilities support researchers with access to sophisticated technologies and expertise, organising training and guiding proper experimental design and scientific workflows.
In 2016, EMBL will host the second meeting on Core Technologies for the Life Sciences (CTLS16), bringing together facility scientists, technicians and managers to influence the future of core technologies, and continue the advancement of institutional services and shared resources that are essential to scientific progress.
CTLS16 will focus on the many aspects of core facility infrastructure: science, technology, management, funding, education and community building. Renowned speakers include Ewan Birney (Director, EMBL-EBI), William Hendrickson (President, American Association of Biomolecular Resource Facilities) and Robert Jan-Smits (Director General, European Union Directorate-General for Research and Innovation),
Five focused sessions specific to life science core facilities will complement workshops during the conference and post-event satellite meetings:
- new technologies and methodologies developed by and with core facilities
- project and data management, quality control in and by core facilities
- core facility administrative, human resource and financial management
- teaching and training by and for life science core facilities
- building networks, communities and lobbies.
Alongside these, Big Data will be a pervading theme, as core facilities tackle the challenges of organising, managing, storing and protecting users’ data. A session dedicated to career development will also confront the need for professional and educational pathways in the field, while presentations by administrative directors and scientific coordinators recognise the influence of the host institute’s operational structure and management models.
Today, CTLS is an emergent Pan-European association – the inaugural conference was a tremendous success, attracting more than 350 scientists from 26 countries. The 2016 event, from 12 to 15 June, is touted to be even bigger and better. Organising committee members Patrick England (Institut Pasteur), Rainer Pepperkok (EMBL Heidelberg), and Spencer Shorte (Institut Pasteur) invite you to join them in paving the way for the future of core technologies. Interested? Find out more at the conference website!
