Advancements in Structural and Functional Drug Discovery of Vector-borne Diseases -

About the event

The aim of this event is to foster collaboration between researchers involved in various aspects of drug discovery against vector-borne diseases, structural biology and biophysics.

During the event, participants will delve into various aspects of parasitology, exploring rational drug design approaches that bridge chemical research and structural sciences. The focus will include also eco-toxicology and the One Health concept, emphasizing the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health.

In addition to invited and contributed talks, the event will host a number of round-table discussions, providing a platform for researchers to showcase their current work and latest findings.

Topics

Parasitology
Structural biology
Biochemistry
Drug Discovery
Medicinal chemistry
AI methods applied to Drug Discovery
Ecotoxicology
One-health approach

Agenda

Wednesday 3rd July 2024
09:00	Registration
09:45	Welcome
Session 1: Biology and ecology of parasites
09:30	'Novel insights from animal models into uncharted Leishmania biology' Guy Cajon, University of Antwerp (Belgium)
10:00	'Unprecedented high-resolution chemical imaging of proteins, surfaces of microbes & histological tissue using mid-IR photo-induced force microscopy' Daniela Täuber, Jena University Hospital (Germany)
10:30	'Mitochondrial NADH/NAD+ balance in Leishmania survival and its interest for chemotherapy' Margarida Duarte, Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (Portugal)
11:00	Coffee Break
11:30	Round table – Parasitology
12:30	Break
Session 2: Drug discovery approaches towards VBDs
14:00	'Combining AI, phenotypic screening and structure guided drug design to aid discovery of new NTD and VBD therapeutics' Invited talk – Nick Furnham (London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine – London, UK)
14:30	'Biological Properties and In Silico Studies of Thiazolopyrimidine Derivatives Active Against Visceral and Cutaneous Leishmania spp. Amastigote Forms' Gülşah Bayraktar, Ege University (Türkiye)
15:00	'Identification of novel Leishmania infantum SIR2RP1 inhibitors' Joana Tavares, Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (Portugal)
15:30	Coffee Break
16:00	Round table – Combining structural and functional knowledge to understand and fight VBDs
17:00	CA21111 – general meeting
Thursday 4th July 2024
Session 3: Structural biology and biochemistry
10:00	'Sructure-guided design of blood stage malaria vaccines' Invited talk – Matt Higgins (University of Oxford – Oxford, UK)
10:30	'Structural characterisation of Trypanosoma cruzi antigens for diagnostic and therapeutic applications' Invited talk – Ivan Campeotto (University of Nottingham – Nottingham, UK)
11:00	'Structural investigation of Trypanosoma folate enzymes for the development of new antiparasitic agents' Cecilia Pozzi, University of Siena (Italy)
11:30	Coffee Break
12:00	Round table – Combining structural and functional knowledge to understand and fight VBDs
13:00	Lunch Break
Session 4: Ecotoxicology and One-Health
14:00	'Pharmaceuticals, Environment, and One Health' Invited talk – Bryan Brooks (Baylor University, Waco – TX, USA)
14:30	'Swimming in medicated waters: Understanding and mitigation the impacts of pharmaceutical pollutants on aquatic wildlife' Invited talk – Eli Thoré (Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences – Umeå, Sweden)
15:00	'Exploring new frontiers in fighting animal trypanosomiasis: assessing antitrypanosomal and (eco)toxicological characteristics of novel nucleoside-based leads' Kayhan Ilbeigi, University of Antwerp (Belgium)
15:30	Coffee Break
16:00	Round table – Sustainable integration of people and animal’s health within the ecosystem
16:00	Poster Session
18:00	Conference Dinner
Friday 5th July 2024
Session 5: Visit to Diamond Light Source
09:00	Private bus transfer to Diamond Light Source
09:30	Life Sciences at Diamond
10:00	Tour of the life-sciences laboratories and synchrotron beamlines
12:00	Closing remarks and private bus transfer back to Oxford

Invited Speakers

Bryan Brooks, Baylor University (USA)
Ivan Campeotto, University of Nottingham (UK)
Nick Furnham, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (UK)
Matt Higgins, Oxford University (UK)
Eli Thore, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (Sweden)

Abstract submission

The event welcomes submissions for both oral and posters presentations.

Application for abstract submission is now open, until 17:00 (BST) on Tuesday 16th May 2024.

SUBMIT YOUR ABSTRACT HERE

Steps-by-step abstract submission

Create your abstract
Save the abstract as a pdf and with file name as: PresentingAuthorSurname_Firstname
Click on the link above to submit your abstract
Fill in the form and attach your abstact
You will receive an on-screen confirmation immediately after the successful submission of the abstract. An email will follow shortly after (to the email provided during submission) summarising the submission

Registration

Access to this event is upon registration only.

* Spaces to access the event are very limited, we kindly ask you to complete your registration only if you are committed to attend the event (in person) in its entirety - from Wednesday 3rd to Friday 5th July 2024 included *

How to register:

As this is a COST-action CA21111 (OneHealthdrugs) event, hosted by Diamond Light Source, there is a 2-steps registration process to follow:

CREATE your e-COST account here
COMPLETE your registration here

The registration:

Is valid only if both the above steps are completed.
Is free and includes access to 3 days of scientific programme, a visit to Diamond Light Source, access to poster display, networking opportunities and light refreshments trought the event.
Will give you the opportunity to purchase a ticket for the conference dinner on Thursday 4th July 2024.
Is open until 17:00 (BST) on Friday 24th May 2024 or until spaces are available.

All attendees are required to arrange and cover the cost of their own accommodation, main meals and transport to and from Said Business School (Oxford).

Venue

Saïd Business School

Founded in 1996, Saïd Business School has evolved to be one of the elite business schools in the world, embedded in the world’s top University, and aspiring to be a model of purposeful leadership.

Image Saïd Business School

Where is Saïd Business School?

Saïd Business School is located in the Oxford city centre right across the street from the Oxford rail station and in close proximity to the main shopping centres. See it here on Google Maps.

To get to Saïd Business School, using public transport is strongly recommended. There is no car park available at the venue, but if you wish to drive there are multiple parking sites around the city.

Printable instructions for Getting to Saïd Business School

Travelling to Oxford

Plan your journey: find the best route for your journey to Oxford with these helpful tools:

Google Maps: For public transport and car journey planning
RAC Route Planner: For car journey planning
AA Route Planner: For car journey planning
Traveline: For public transport planning

Arriving by bus

Direct bus services link central Oxford with Oxfordshire and central London. The Oxford Tube offers a 24/7 service. The journey typically takes about 100 minutes, potentially longer during rush hours.

Arriving by road

Access Oxford by car via the M40 and M4 + A34. From London, leave the M40 at Junction 8, and from Birmingham, exit at Junction 9. Parking in Oxford is limited; most visitors use the Park and Ride, which is well signposted from the Oxford Ring Road.

Arriving by train

Frequent direct services run from London Paddington and Birmingham New Street. Accessible lines include the Cotswold Line and the line to Leamington Spa. For detailed train services and timings, visit the National Rail website.

Arriving by air

London Heathrow and Gatwick Airports are connected by Oxford Bus Company's Airline service. Stansted and Luton airports are served by the National Express 737 bus service. Birmingham Airport offers fast train services to Oxford. For more information, visit National Rail Enquiries. London Oxford Airport (OXF) is just 8 km from the city centre.

Staying in Oxford

centre

Do you want to experience staying in one of the hystoric Oxford University Colleges? Find more info here.

Other hotels located close to the event venue are:

Royal Oxford Hotel www.royaloxfordhotel.co.uk
Courtyard by Marriott Oxford City Centre www.marriott.co.uk/hotels/travel/oxfcy-courtyard-oxford-city-centre/
Randolph Hotel www.graduatehotels.com/oxford-uk
Travelodge www.travelodge.co.uk

Organising Committee

Marco Mazzorana, Diamond Light Source
Maria Paola Costi, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia
Federica Piccolo, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia

Contact the organisers

If you have any queries relating to

The event: contact the Diamond Events Team
The COST-action project: contact Federica Piccolo

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