General Information

About the Program

The 2012 World Congress will be held from Sunday, June 3 – Thursday, June 7, 2012 in Bellevue, Washington, just 9 miles east of Seattle.  If you have ever attended an SIVB annual meeting, you have already come to appreciate the high caliber science that is the benchmark of these events.  Our World Congresses, held once every 4 years, are even more impactful as we welcome even greater participation from our colleagues around the globe. 

Don’t expect to get lost in the crowd, though.  SIVB meetings are still intimate and give you the opportunity to sit and talk with those who have shaped the science you use today.  Meet these leading experts and chat with them one-on-one.  Then attend scientific sessions where they will present their latest research in Plant Biotechnology and In Vitro Animal Cell Sciences during keynote and plenary symposia, symposia and workshops. You will get an opportunity to present your research too during the contributed paper and poster sessions.  This is a unique opportunity to make new friends, create new connections and take home new knowledge to inspire your scientific pursuits. This year the World Congress is being co-sponsored by the Society for in Vitro Biology (SIVB), The Japanese Tissue Culture Association (JTCA) and the Japanese Society for Alternatives to Animal Experiments (JSAAE).

 

The 13th International Conference on Invertebrate and Fish Cell Culture will also be held during the World Congress. This event honors pioneers in the field of invertebrate and fish cell culture who have contributed outstanding achievements and significantly contributed toward invertebrate and fish research. The conference, held every 4 years, will include joint symposia and workshops throughout the World Congress.

 

About the Location

Have you ever wanted to try fresh Pacific Northwest Salmon right off the boat? Climb to the top of the Space Needle? Visit Nordstrom’s flagship store?  See Bill Gates house while floating on the water? Wake up in the morning and see the sunrise over Mount Rainier?  Well this may be your chance!  The 2012 World Congress on In Vitro Biology is headed west!  Join us and escape to the green, clean, wildly sophisticated frontier of the Pacific Northwest.

Bellevue, the site of the 2012 World Congress, is the Gateway to the entire Puget Sound and only 9 miles east of Seattle and 17 miles from Sea/Tac International Airport.  Nestled between two mountain ranges on the shores of glittering Lake Washington, this walkable city offers some of the best of the Pacific Northwest!  Shop at locally founded retail legends like Nordstrom and Eddie Bauer at The Bellevue Collection. Visit romantic bistros and one-of-a-kind finds. Hike along miles of nature trails, public parks or swim at beaches all within walking distance from downtown. Explore museums, art galleries and gardens or take a short trip to out of town to see Wine Country or sight-see in Seattle.  All this and more will be available at your fingertips!

But don’t think that this is just a quiet sleepy town. Bellevue is a bustling corporate city which hosts the headquarters for Expedia, Coinstar and T-Mobile as well as being home to a large Microsoft Corporate Office and University. And speaking of universities, there is no shortage higher learning centers near Bellevue, either. The following colleges and universities are all within the Bellevue area: University of Washington, Seattle University, Seattle Pacific University, Bellevue College, Seattle Central Community College, North Seattle Community College, South Seattle Community College, Washington State University – West, Shoreline Community College, Northwest University, University of Puget Sound, Tacoma Community College, Pierce College, Pacific Lutheran University and Evergreen State College.

Whatever it is you want to do, you will find it in Bellevue!

Abstracts

Abstract Submission

The Program Committee requests abstracts of your research for presentation at the 2012 World Congress on In Vitro Biology. Abstracts can be accepted in both electronic and paper formats, though electronic abstract submission is the preferred submission method for the Congress. SIVB's online electronic abstract system includes online payment capabilities and immediate submission and confirmations.  Online abstract submission is now available. Directions for paper submission can be obtained by contacting the SIVB Business Office at sivb@sivb.org. The Abstract Deadline is February 20, 2012.

Interactive Poster Sessions

These presentations have become an integral part of the SIVB meetings. A select group of posters will be chosen to participate in these sessions, which will begin with each poster presenter giving a short (5-minute maximum) description of their poster. Then, after the all the presentations, the floor will be open for discussion.

Rapid Abstract Acceptance

Rapid acceptance is designed for those who need proof of acceptance to apply for funding or visas to attend the Congress.  If you request rapid acceptance, SIVB will provide verification of your abstract’s acceptance within two weeks after the submission deadline (February 20). If you are interested in Rapid Abstract Acceptance, please check that option when you submit your abstract online or note it in your cover letter with your hard copy submission. Please note that rapid acceptance only guarantees that your abstract will be presented at the Congress. Decisions as to the placement of your presentation (whether it will be an oral, interactive poster or poster presentation) will not occur until early spring.

Silent Abstracts

The Silent Abstract is a special abstract category for authors unable to attend the meeting. Abstracts submitted for the Silent Abstract category follow the same abstract format, abstract fee, and scientific review/acceptance by the program committee; and, if accepted, will be printed in the abstract book. (Note: Please do not submit an abstract for a poster or oral presentation if you are not attending the meeting. Authors, who request a poster or oral presentation slot, but fail to attend the meeting or withdraw the abstract before May 1, 2012, may have their abstracts rejected in the future.)

Disabilities Act

The Society for In Vitro Biology will make all reasonable efforts to accommodate persons with disabilities at the meeting. The Hyatt Regency Bellevue is in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Please indicate your special needs when making your reservations at the Hyatt.

Exhibits

There will be exhibit booths and tabletop displays allowing registrants the opportunity to examine state-of-the-art products and services. Information can be obtained here or by contacting Congress Secretariat, Marietta Wheaton Ellis at (919) 562-0600, fax (919) 562-0608, or email: sivb@sivb.org.

Registration

To register online click here or print out the hard copy registration form  and mail it with the appropriate fees to:

Society for In Vitro Biology
514 Daniels St., Suite 411,
Raleigh, NC 27605,
USA. 

Sponsor-a-Buddy Program

In support of the SIVB’s Student Initiative, SIVB is pleased to announce a new Sponsor-a-Buddy program. For only $25, SIVB Members and attendees of the SIVB World Congress can help support a student “buddy.” Contributions will be used to support student abstract submission fees for the congress. Contributors of the Sponsor-a-Buddy program will be acknowledged at the 2012 World Congress. Just choose that option on the registration form and start supporting our future scientists today.

 

Student Registration FREE

The Society for In Vitro Biology (SIVB) has always believed that the future of in vitro biology lies in today's students and is committed to the future endeavors of science by encouraging the continued growth of upcoming researchers and scientists. To support the Society's vision of encouraging education and informational exchange, we are offering all current students, who are 18 or above and show institutional certification, free registration to the scientific sessions of the 2012 Congress. Also, as an added bonus, all students who register and attend the 2012 Congress will receive free membership to the Society in 2013!

 

Special Tours and Events

An Evening at
Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery

Plans are underway for a special tour, tasting and dinner event at the Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery on Wednesday evening, June 6 from 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm. Chateau Ste. Michelle is one of the top visitor and historic attractions in the Puget Sound area. It's everything you want a winery to be: grand, beautiful and informative with a wide variety of wines available to taste or purchase. During our event, enhance your wine knowledge and learn about their rich heritage, take a behind-the-scenes glimpse at winemaking, or taste what makes the Columbia Valley such a premier grape growing region. Before dinner, wander through the historic grounds or take a tour of the facilities and learn about the process of making these special wines. At dinner you will have the rare opportunity to sample a number of premium and distinctive wines and attendees will be able to purchase both wine and gifts, including those exclusively sold at the winery, at a 10% discount during the event to take home.
         Situated on 105 wooded acres in Woodinville, Washington, 15 miles northeast of Seattle, Chateau Ste. Michelle’s history dates back to just after the repeal of prohibition when the state's bountiful fruit and berry harvests were vinified to produce the Northwest's first wines. By focusing on quality Washington fruit and melding Old World winemaking tradition with New World innovation, Chateau Ste. Michelle continues to make a name for itself, as well as for the state of Washington, as one of the premier wine regions in the world.  The price for this special event is $90 and will include round trip bus transportation, tour of the winery and grounds, open wine tasting bar, buffet dinner, dessert and a 10% discount on wine and gift purchases. This is an evening you do not want to miss! Register online now for this event.

 

Scientific Tour of the
Institute for Systems Biology and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center

Plans are underway for a tour of the Institute for Systems Biology and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center on Thursday, June 7 from 1:00  6:00 pm. The greater Seattle area is home to many biological research companies and institutions. This tour will visit two outstanding facilities the Institute for Systems Biology (ISB) and the Fred Hutchison Cancer Research Center (FHCRC). In 2000, Dr. Leroy Hood, and his associates, Dr. Alan Aderem and Dr. Ruedi Aebersold, founded ISB with a focus on systems biology and analyzing biological complexity. The Institute has brought together a multidisciplinary group of scholars and scientists, from biologists, mathematicians and engineers, to computer scientists and physicists. ISB is an independent, non-profit organization, and as such is committed to discovering knowledge and translating its benefits to society. ISB commercializes its discoveries; advances science education; helps society better understand the impacts of science and technology; and creates exciting new organizations that facilitate these transfers. ISB embraces an open lab-concept, thus the SIVB group will have a general tour of the facilities as well as learning of the technologies developed at ISB (including the NanoSystems Biology Alliance, Seattle Proteome Center, Nanostring Technologies). FHCRC is a preeminent research institution that has been leading the way on cancer treatment and prevention since the 1970’s, including breakthroughs on bone marrow transplantation and immunotherapies. Work at FHCRC is not limited to cancer, however, it also encompasses HIV/AIDS and other diseases as well as advancing the general understanding of human biology. At FHCRC, the SIVB group will tour the general facilities in addition to a couple of research labs where the focus is on the structure and function of biological molecules, such as homing endonucleases (Dr. Barry Stoddard) and using plants to study epigenetics and DNA methylation (Dr. Steve Henikoff). The price for this tour is $30 and will include round trip bus transportation to the ISB and FHCRC facilities and lunch. Register online now for this event.

 

Hotel

Hyatt Regency Bellevue on Seattle’s Eastside will be the site of the 2012 World Congress on In Vitro Biology. Step into the sophisticated Hyatt Regency Bellevue and let an air of elegant tranquility wash over you. Rich woods, natural finishes and luxurious fabrics set the tone for an exceptional guest experience. Fresh from a recent $185 million expansion that unveiled a stunning new guest tower and the addition of more than 53,000 square feet of event space, the Bellevue hotel boasts a premier location conveniently located in the area’s dynamic Bellevue Collection. The Bellevue Collection and Bellevue Square are the new rhythm of retail! Just across the sky bridge from the Hyatt you can find this shopping metropolis where 250 restaurants, major stores and chic boutiques draw those who like to window shop and people watch. Bellevue Square, also offers fun opportunities to explore boutiques and shoe shops, high-design home furnishings stores, art galleries and more. After a busy day, unwind at their 24 hour fitness center, or pamper yourself with a luxurious spa treatment.

SIVB has also arranged for guests of the hotel to receive free wireless internet access.  For more information on the Hyatt Regency Bellevue, please visit the Congress Hotel page.

Share-a-Room Program

If you would like to share accommodations with another meeting attendee to diffuse costs, please contact the SIVB office with your name, contact information, and housing needs (including your gender and days you need to share). When we find an appropriate applicant, we will connect you. Once introduced, it is up to the two of you to make your own hotel reservations together, directly with the hotel. NOTE: You, the respondent, and not the SIVB, will assume all responsibility for any arrangements made afterwards. SIVB is not liable for any rooming costs incurred with shared rooms in this program.

Transportation

The Seattle/Tacoma International Airport (SEA) is approximately 20 minutes from the Hyatt Regency Bellevue. There is shuttle service available through Shuttle Express to the hotel. The cost for the shuttle is $19 per person each way and you can contact them at 425-981-7000, 1-800-487- RIDE (7433) or on their website at http://shuttleexpress.hudsonltd.net/res?USERIDENTRY=VISITB&LOGON=GO . The cost for a taxi ranges around approximately $30-40 each way.

 

Things to do in Bellevue and Seattle

There is plenty to do and see just outside your hotel.  You don’t have to go far to have a great time exploring the area! Below are just a few of the fun things you can do.

Bellevue Arts Museum
Just celebrating its 65th year, this curiously shaped, red-toned aluminum and glass building features numerous rotating exhibitions, the majority of which celebrate Northwest crafts and design artists. Don’t miss a trip to the roof, where the elliptical Court of Light explores architect Steven Holl’s interest in the seasonal change of light.

Bellevue Collection and Bellevue Square
The New Rhythm of Retail! Just across the sky bridge from the Hyatt you can find this shopping metropolis where 250 restaurants, major stores and chic boutiques draw those who like to window shop and people watch. Bellevue Square, also offers fun opportunities to explore boutiques and shoe shops, high-design home furnishings stores, art galleries and more.

Pikes Place Market
Pike Place Market is internationally recognized as America's premier farmers' market and is home to more than 200 year-round commercial businesses; 190 craftspeople and approximately 100 farmers who rent table space by the day; 240 street performers and musicians; and more than 300 apartment units, most of which provide housing for low-income elderly people. The history of Pike Place Market is as rich and colorful as Seattle itself.  Its nine acres and more than a century of operation encompass thousands of fascinating stories — tales of immigration, internment, renovation and urban renewal — all that help explain why Pike Place Market is called "The Soul of Seattle." "The Market," as the locals affectionately say, attracts 10 million visitors a year, making it one of Washington state's most frequently visited destinations.

Seattle Bites Food Tours
Sink your teeth into a generous helping of intriguing tales and delicious food! The acclaimed Seattle Bites Food Tours takes you behind the scenes of historic, 100-plus-year-old Pike Place Market. Out of town visitors and Seattle locals alike will be fascinated to meet the unique and animated merchants that give the market its captivating personality, from charming specialty mom and pop eateries, to one of a kind artisan food shops to the beloved neighborhood cafes. Seattle Bites Food Tours pairs memorable stories of the market and its merchants with delicious gourmet and unique food and beverage tastings, including a few special treats exclusive to Seattle Bites tour guests. Seattle Bites marries food tastings with captivating historic tidbits: Learn why the lowly garden onion caused a big stink and launched Pike Place Market; we will tell you the “real” story behind the “first” Starbucks; find out why they called Nellie “Naughty”, and more. Attendees of the 2012 World Congress are eligible to receive a 10% discount. To order tickets simply vist www.seattlebitesfoodtours.com, click “Tickets”, choose a date and enter the words “Agent Rate” when asked for the discount code to receive 10% OFF.

Seattle Space Needle
In 1959, an unlikely artist inspired by the Stuttgart Tower in Germany was sketching his vision of a dominant central structure for the 1962 Seattle World's Fair on a placemat in a coffee house. The artist was Edward E. Carlson, then president of Western International Hotels, and his space-age image was to be the focus of the futuristic World's Fair in Seattle, whose theme would be Century 21. Carlson penciled the shape that would become the internationally known symbol for Seattle, the Space Needle. The Space Needle was built for just $4.5 million, and has had its share of milestones, including numerous weddings and a jump by six parachutists. During the World's Fair, nearly 20,000 people a day traveled to the top. The Space Needle hosted over 2.3 million visitors during the Fair and is still, over 40 years later, Seattle's number one tourist destination. In 2000, the Space Needle completed a $20 million revitalization. The year-long project included construction of the Pavilion Level, SpaceBase retail store, SkyCity restaurant, O Deck overhaul, exterior lighting additions, Legacy Light installations, exterior painting and more.

Woodinville Wineries
Woodinville is the new hot spot of wine touring. New satellite tasting rooms, particularly from Walla Walla, are sprouting like mushrooms. Besides the stalwarts Chateau Ste. Michelle and Columbia, Woodinville is now home to over 90 wineries, wine bars & tasting rooms, and hosts several large annual wine-tasting festivals such as Passport to Woodinville, St. Nicholas Day, Auction of Washington Wine, and Washington Wine Highway.

Waterway Cruises and Events
An unforgettable dining experience is about the food and something more. It’s that “something more” that makes the Waterway’s dinner experience unforgettable! On a Lake Washington Dining Cruise, Waterway Cruises adds their Chef’s finest culinary offerings to the views and vistas of Lake Washington, the majesty of Mount Rainier’s 14,000-foot summit, a peek into Seattle’s remarkable waterfront estates, the spectacular summer sunsets of Pacific Northwest reflected by downtown skyscrapers, a dash of local lore and legend from their Captain, a touch of entertainment tailored to your dining experience, and exceptionally friendly service from their Waterways' crew. Waterway Cruises has over fifteen years of experience in hosting unforgettable events on the water and providing you with a unique experience of just the right blend of ambiance, elegance and fun. Join them for brunch or dinner cruises around Lake Washington. For more information, visit www.waterwayscruises.com/pages/public_cruises/dining_cruises

 

Student and Post Doctoral Opportunities

The Society for In Vitro Biology (SIVB) is committed to the future endeavors of science and encourages the continued growth of scientists and their students. To support the Society’s vision to encourage education and scientific informational exchange, SIVB offers a number of special opportunities to assist students and their ability to grow through their scientific community, including: Free Student Registration and Membership Initiatives, the Student Awards Program, and the Post Doc and Student Oral and Poster Competitions.

STUDENTS:

FREE Student Registration and Membership Initiative

All current students who can show institutional certification will receive free registration to the scientific sessions of the 2012 Meeting. Students who register and attend the 2012 Meeting on In Vitro Biology will receive free membership to the Society in 2013!

The SIVB Student Award Program

This program provides recognition and financial support for student’s who have contributed and made outstanding achievements in the field of in vitro biology. Available awards and application criteria can be found here. Applications are due by February 11, 2012.  

STUDENTS AND POST DOCS:

Post Doctoral and Graduate Student Oral Presentation and Poster Competitions

SIVB is pleased to announce the Post Doctoral and Graduate Student Oral and Poster competitions will be held during this year’s Congress. SIVB believes that fostering the growth and professional development of its members, including graduate students and post docs, is essential to the continuing success of any organization. These competitions are held during the congress to encourage the development of those members just establishing their careers. The deadline to apply for this competition is February 11, 2012.

 

International Travel and Visas

Travel to the United States

Most travelers to the United States must hold a valid visa and a passport that is valid six months longer than the intended visit. Please visit the International Visitors Office to determine if you require a travel visa to attend the 2012 World Congress on In Vitro Biology. If you require a visa, please recognize that the visa application process may take several months. An interview appointment is required for a visa application at all embassies and consulates. The wait time for this appointment varies, but may be as long as four months, with processing taking an additional month or more. The wait time for visa applications is available on the State Department’s website. As soon as you have decided to attend the meeting, you should begin the process of applying for a visa.

In 2004, the United States instituted the US-VISIT program, requiring most foreign visitors to have their two index fingers scanned and a digital photograph taken to verify their identity at the port of entry. A departure confirmation program, as part of US-VISIT, is currently being tested. This program applies to all visitors, including those from visa waiver countries.

As of October 26, 2005, all countries must issue passports with digital photos or the required chip (e-passport) containing biometric information about the individual. However, anyone issued a machine-readable passport prior to October 26, 2005, will be “grandfathered in” and allowed to visit the United States until the passport expires.

Visa Waiver Program/ESTA

As of January 12, 2009, a valid ESTA approval is required for all Visa Waiver Program (VWP) to travel to the United States. You will not be able to board the plane without this ESTA approval in hand. The Department of Homeland Security, Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) is a free, automated system used to determine the eligibility of visitors to travel to the United States under the VWP.  It collects the same information as the paper I-94W form that VWP travelers fill out en route to the United States.  ESTA applications may be submitted at any time prior to travel.  An ESTA authorization generally will be valid for up to two years. Authorizations will be valid for multiple entries into the United States.  DHS recommends that travelers submit an ESTA application as soon as they begin making travel plans. ESTA applications may be completed FREE online at the official DHS website, which is: https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/. Learn more at ESTA. 

Review the current visa waiver program quick reference handout.

PASSPORT REQUIREMENTS: Specific passport requirements apply to all VWP travelers. See What do I need to know about VWP MRP and e-Passport requirements? Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) On June 1, 2009, the U.S. government implemented the full requirements of the land and sea phase of WHTI.The rules require most U.S. citizens entering the United States at sea or land ports of entry to have a passport, passport card, or other travel document approved by the Department of Homeland Security.  

See http://www.getyouhome.gov/html/eng_map.html for more information.

Visas

The IWA recommends that international participants view the following websites for important timelines, current requirements, and information concerning visa applications for entry into the U.S.:

• Citizens of Canada: http://ottawa.usembassy.gov
• Citizens of Mexico: http://spanish.mexico.usembassy.gov/es/visas.html
• Consular Affairs: www.travel.state.gov
• Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA): https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/esta.html Travelers from most Western European and some Eastern European and Asian countries must have this ESTA travel authorization in hand at the airport or you will not be allowed to board the plane.
• General Visa and Travel requirements: http://www.iatatravelcentre.com
• Non-Immigrant Visa Photo Requirements: http://travel.state.gov/visa/visaphotoreq/visaphotoreq_5334.html
• U.S. Embassies and Consulates abroad: http://www.usembassy.gov/
• Visa Application Forms: http://travel.state.gov/visa/forms/forms_1342.html
• Visa Services Fees: http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1263.html
• Visa Services (for foreigners traveling to the U.S.): www.travel.state.gov/visa/visa_1750.html
• Visitor Visas for Business and Pleasure: http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1262.html
• Visa Waiver Program: http://www.travel.state.gov/visa/temp/without/without_1990.html
• Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative: http://www.getyouhome.gov/html/eng_map.html

Experiencing a Delay in Travel Visa Processing?

The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) has developed a page on its web site to collect detailed information about international scientists experiencing significant visa delays. This could prove useful to scientists still trying to cope with the many changes in protocol brought on by the SEVIS student-tracking system and the enhanced security of the US VISIT program. Visa applications that are delayed by more than 20 days will be reported to the State Department. Please visit the NAS web site at http://national-academies.org/visas.