The use of knock out technologies have provided researchers with the tools to precisely target and silence specific genes. The creation of heritable phenotypes through germline transmission of silenced genes is now commonplace and continues to provide a wealth of information on gene function and expression. More recently, knock down techniques have added another powerful investigative tool to the lab armoury, one which may permit more precise replication of a disease state and the eventual construction of more useful models of clinical significance. In this three day conference, we will explore new and established methods for knocking down and knocking out genes both in vivo and in vitro.

Topics given special consideration include: stable knockdowns using RNA interference, targeted mutagenesis techniques, in vitro knockdown methods, and conditional knockout approaches, and novel knockdown/knockout approaches in alternative model organisms.

The deadline for abstracts/proposals is 09 December 2011.