Biology & Genomics of Social Insects

Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York
May 5 - 8, 2018

The 2018 meeting will discuss recent advances in social insects, with an emphasis on new findings made possible by the sequencing of the genomes and transcriptomes of dozens of species (ants, bees, wasps, termites). This range allows, for the first time, a convergence of knowledge about the molecular basis and mechanisms of sociality in taxa that evolved sociality independently. Topics of this meeting are comparative and functional genomics of caste determination, division of labor, phenotypic plasticity, learning, physiology and immunity. There will be two special sessions on microbiomes and immunity in social insects with an emphasis on honey bees. The meeting is intended to provide a format for the exchange of ideas and information, to discuss the latest research findings and technical advances, and to facilitate interaction among groups active in diverse systems.

Topics:

• Comparative Genomics of Insect Sociality
• Epigenetics, Gene Regulation, and Social Organization
• Molecular Evolution of Insect Societies
• Neurobiology and Physiology of Social Insects
• Novel Techniques and Bioinformatic Advances and their Applications to Social Insect Biology
• Social Insect Microbiomes and Immunity

Abstracts should contain new and unpublished material. Selection of material for oral and poster presentation will be made by the organizers and individual session chairs. Please bring this notice to the attention of any of your colleagues who may be interested in participating in the meeting.

We look forward to seeing you at Cold Spring Harbor in May.