Australasian Epigenetics Alliance

Conference 2024

Dunedin, New Zealand

December 2-5 2024

We’ll see you soon for #AEpiA2024

Over 3.5 days, this meeting will cover the full range of epigenetics - providing a great opportunity to showcase or discover cutting-edge research, gain new insights, and advance our collective understanding of the field, all while visiting New Zealand’s very own ‘place of firsts’ - the University of Otago.

Watch the video below to hear from our Organising Committee Chair, Tim Hore, about some of the highlights of this event.

2024 is a year to celebrate

The AEpiA has a proud history in epigenetics research and innovation. This year we are celebrating the 30th anniversary of the maiden publication on the bisulfite sequencing technique by our founder, Prof Susan Clark, and 15 years since Prof Ryan Lister (organising committee member) turned this into a genome-wide technique.   

Registration and abstract submission for AEpiA2024 are now closed

Plenary Speakers

Manel Esteller
Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute

Susan Clark
Garvan Institute of Medical Research

Hui Shen
Van Andel Institute

Ferdinand von Meyenn
ETH Zurich

Ryan Lister
Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research

Programme

All sessions are in the main area of the Hutton Theatre at the Otago Museum, unless otherwise stated.

The programme will be printed in the conference handbook you will receive at the registration desk. However, the conference programme is subject to change. For the most up-to-date schedule, please refer to the interactive Google Calendar below. You can view presentation titles by clicking on a presenter’s name, and clicking on their talk title will open their abstract in a new tab.

This interface also allows you to add individual events or talks directly to your own calendar.

Information for presenters

Oral presentations

Presenters will be contacted directly by the organising committee with details about the length of their allocated presentation slot.

PowerPoint presentations are to be loaded at the lectern in the main conference room. Please take your presentation to the Registration and Information Desk at the below times and someone will assist you with transferring the file(s) to the lecture theatre computer (NB: the computer in the conference room is running a Windows OS).

Sunday 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Monday 8:00 am - 9:00 am
Tuesday 8:30 am - 9:00 am
Wednesday 8:30 am - 9:00 am
Thursday 8:30 am - 9:00 am

Please ensure that your presentation is transferred the day prior to your talk. It would be helpful if you could name your file with your surname and first initial, followed by the day of your presentation, e.g., Smith_J_Monday.

To keep the programme running to time, we will not be able to accommodate speakers using their own laptops. Please note that your allocated time includes questions and discussion.

Poster presentations

Poster presenters are asked to have their posters hung on the poster boards in the Museum Atrium by no later than 5:45 pm on Monday, 2nd December. Poster tubes can be stored at the Registration and Information Desk if required.

Please click here for the poster list with allocated ID numbers. The boards will be labelled with the poster ID number.

We recommend printing your poster in A0 size, either portraits or landscape. However, poster boards are portrait-oriented, measuring 2300 x 1200 mm, and posters of any size or shape that fit within these dimensions are permitted. Please note that posters cannot be pinned or stapled to the boards; Velcro dots will be supplied.

All posters must be removed from the boards at the end of the poster session.

Conference Events

Conference Dinner

Cumberland College
Wednesday 4th December
7 pm - late
$100 per person SOLD OUT

Welcome Function

St Margaret’s College
Sunday 1st December
7:00 - 8:30 pm
Included in registration

Delegates will be officially welcomed with a mihi whakatau (traditional Māori welcoming ceremony) followed by a chance to catch up with drinks and canapés.

ECR Networking Event

Selwyn College
Tuesday 3rd December
5:30 - 7:00 pm
Included in registration

Early career researchers are invited to an informal gathering at Selwyn College after the day’s talks. Enjoy drinks and finger food while getting to know fellow ECRs and expanding your professional network in a relaxed setting.

Join fellow delegates for the official conference dinner. Tickets can be purchased via the online registration portal and include dinner and drinks. Tickets to the dinner are limited so we recommend booking now. Tickets are not available as ‘door sales’.

Poster Session

Otago Museum Atrium
Monday 2nd December
6:00 - 8:00 pm
Included in registration

Delegates are invited to view presentations by poster authors in the poster display area.

Sponsored by Altos Labs

General information for delegates

Registration and Information Desk

There will be a registration and information desk situated within the conference venue. We welcome your inquiries on any conference detail including local information. The desk will be open at the following times:

Sunday 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Monday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Tuesday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Wednesday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Thursday 8:30 am - 10:30 am

Registration will also be available at the Welcome Function, at St Margaret’s College on Sunday 1st December, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm.

Name Badges

All conference delegates and industry representatives are requested to wear their name badges at all times during the conference and social functions. It is your official entrance pass to all the sessions and conference catering.

We invite you to return your name badge to the registration desk at the end of the conference for recycling.

Certificate of Attendance

If you require a certificate of attendance please request this via the conference email address.

Abstracts

Abstracts for all presentations are available electronically within the Google Calendar above. To view the abstract, please select the presenters name to find the link.

Mobile Phones and Devices

Mobile phones and other devices are allowed in the conference room, however please turn to silent mode. Please also be considerate when taking photos as some presentations may include sensitive information.

Special Diets

If you have advised any special dietary requirements on your registration these will have been notified to the caterers. If you require help finding your meal or have any questions please approach the catering staff or the information desk.

Smoking and Vaping

All University of Otago and Otago Museum buildings and grounds are smoke and vape free, this includes residential colleges.

Contact Phone Numbers

Registration desk: 027 339 9344
Dunedin Taxis: 03 477 7777
NZ Emergency Services: 111
Urgent Doctor: 03 479 2900

Venue

Tūhura Otago Museum is in the heart of Dunedin, close to the university and only a 15-minute walk to the Octagon. Close to some of the city’s best bars and restaurants, public transport and other attractions, the museum collection holds more than 1.5 million items in a wide range of exhibitions, as well as an interactive science centre, tropical rainforest and planetarium. Tūhura Otago Museum is open daily from 10 am until 5 pm, with free entry to the main galleries.

Tūhura Otago Museum
Hutton Theatre
419 Great King Street
Dunedin

Click here to view a map of this and other conference venues

Visiting Dunedin

Flying to Dunedin

Direct flights to Dunedin operate daily from Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. Dunedin airport is located 28 km from the city with taxi and shuttle services available:

Airport Shuttles Dunedin
Supershuttle
Kiwi Cabs
Preston Black

Attractions

Discover the charm of Dunedin, a vibrant city known for its rich cultural heritage, stunning landscapes, and warm hospitality. With a perfect blend of historic architecture, beautiful beaches, and a thriving arts scene, Dunedin offers a unique and unforgettable experience for every visitor.

Whether you choose to tour Larnach Castle and gardens, cruise the Otago Harbour, take in some street art or visit the world’s only mainland breeding colony of Royal Albatross, there is something in Dunedin for everyone.

Learn more

Eat and Drink

Dunedin boasts a diverse culinary scene, offering a delectable array of restaurants and bars that cater to every palate. From cozy cafes and gourmet eateries to lively bars serving craft beers and cocktails.

Learn more

Accommodation

Conference accommodation bookings for Te Mara Pūmanawa Selwyn College and Aurora On George are now closed. Please send any queries to the conference organising committee.

Transport

You can fly into Dunedin from any main centre: Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch.

Alternatively, coach transfers will be available between Queenstown and Dunedin for those wishing to take in the sights and activities of the adventure capital of New Zealand before or after the conference. Direct flights to Queenstown are available from Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.

We have limited availability remaining for these transfers. Please contact the conference organising committee as soon as possible if you require this service.

Sunday 1st December 2024
Departs: Queenstown Airport at 12 pm (noon)
Arrives: University of Otago Campus at ~4.30 pm

Thursday 5th December 2024
Departs: University of Otago Campus at 10 am
Arrives: Queenstown Airport at ~2.30 pm

Queenstown Tourism website

Contact

Contact the conference organising committee at aepia@otago.ac.nz

Sponsors

Conference Code of Conduct

All AEpiA events, including this conference, are subject to the AEpiA Code of Conduct, and Social Media Policy, located on our governance page. In the case of a breach at this meeting, you can contact the local conference organisers in person (Assoc Prof Aniruddha Chatterjee, Assoc Prof Tim Hore, Dr Victoria Sugrue and Dr Rebecca Oliver) or by email (aepia@otago.ac.nz); or you can submit an online Code of Conduct Breach Form. The AEpiA Code of Conduct is supported by the Grievance and Disciplinary procedures outlined in the AEpiA Rules of Incorporation located on the governance page.

Past AEpiA conferences

Would you like us to promote your epigenetics event? Let us know at aepia@asnevents.net.au