Australasian Biotechnology (backfiles) AusBiotech ISSN: 1036-7128 Vol. 10, Num. 3, 2000, pp. 18

Australasian Biotechnology, Vol. 10 No. 3, 2000, pp. 18

THE ABA2000 CONFERENCE OUTLINE

Code Number: au00031

The ABA2000 Conference will be held in Brisbane from 2 to 6 July. Details are available from http://aba2000.im.com.au/

The Official Opening of ABA2000 will take place at 9am on Monday 3 July.

The President of the Australian Biotechnology Association , Dr Peter Rogers, will call upon the Premier of Queensland, The Honorable Peter Beattie, and the Federal Minister for Industry, Science & Resources, the Honorable Nick Minchin to welcome delegates and to perform this function. This will be immediately followed by the first Plenary session, in which the Millis Oration will be given by leading US biotechnologist, Mr Carl Feldbaum, CEO of our larger sister organisation in the USA - BIO. The title of his oration - “The Future of Biotechnology”.

PLENARY SESSIONS

Plenary sessions throughout the week will provide a structure for themes to be conducted through each day in concurrent sessions. Plenary sessions and speakers include:

• Balancing biotech innovations with societal wants and needs Dr Peter Doherty (St Judes Hospital, USA)
• The impact of pharmacogenetics on DNA diagnostics Dr Phillip Morris (QUT, Brisbane)
• Dealing with public concerns regarding biotech in the UK Dr J Sime (BIA, UK)
• Commercialisation of diagnosis and treatments for the lysosomal storage disorders Prof. John Hopwood (Adelaide Womens & Childrens Hospital)
• Biomaterials Dr David McQuillan (Life Corporation, USA)

Over 120 papers will be presented during four days of three concurrent sessions. There will also be quite a number of posters to view. Topics are broad, and cover all aspects of biotechnology, from purely scientific through to the finer details of patenting and licensing. Most leading biotechnology organisations and companies have speakers representing them.

PUBLIC FORUM

There will be a 2-hour public forum in the evening of 4 July - “Biotechnology in Society” sponsored by the Queensland Government, and chaired by Mr Greg Lee.

BREAKFAST MEETINGS

A series of CEO Roundtable Breakfast Meetings are being held at the ungodly hour of 7am on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings, covering topics of:

• Industry restructuring
• Managing technology platforms and IP
• Communication
• Start ups and spin outs

On Friday 7 July, a series of technical day visits have been planned to allow you to unwind from what looks like being a hectic conference week. Visits are to :

• Astra Zeneca R&D at Griffith University
• The Fourex Brewery
• Enviroflow Waste Water Treatment Plant at Ipswich
• Aquaculture Research Centre, Bribie Island
• CSIRO Marine Research Centre, Cleveland

The social program is always an integral and valuable part of any conference for any aspiring biotechnologist. Lots of opportunities to to learn, to really get to know your collaborators, to meet new ones, and even just to have a good time! The social events are as follows:

• Welcome Reception - 6.30pm, Sunday 2 July
• Dinner at the Queensland Science Centre - 7pm, Monday 3 July
• Happy Hour in the Trade Exhibition area - 5-6.30pm, Tuesday 4 July
• ABA2000 Conference Dinner - a gala event - 7pm, Wednesday 5 July

The Australian Biotechnology Association has received generous sponsorship for this event, which has enabled the Organising Committee to develop a very full and exciting program.

Sponsors List (as at 29 May 2000), with their web page addresses:

Dept of State Development in Queensland - www.statedevelopment. qld.gov.au

Biotechnology Australia - http://www.isr.gov.au/

Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu - http://www.deloitte.com.au/

Dept of Primary Industries, Qld - http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/

Biomedoz - http://www.biomedoz.com.au/

Silver Sponsors

CSL - http://www.csl.com.au/

Rothschild Bioscience Managers - http://www.bioscience.com.au/

Cullen & Co - http://www.cullens.com.au/

University of Queensland - http://www.uq.edu.au/

Davies Collison Cave - www.davies.com.au

Fisher Adams Kelly - www.fak.com.au

Watermark - http://www.watermark.com.au/

Over 40 companies are exhibiting, and without the considerable effort and support of these exhibitors, holding Australian Biotechnology Association conferences in such fine venues would not be possible. Australian Biotechnology Association Exhibitions are an integral part of the learning experience for all conference delegates, and are sometimes great opportunities to buy that bit of equipment you always needed for your lab! So come with your credit card!

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