ISMB 2006
ISMB 2006AB3CX-MeetingISMB 2006
ISMB 2006

ISCB

Hosted by

Embrapa

LNCC

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Who is the ISCB?
  2. What is the ISMB conference?
  3. Who is the AB3C?
  4. What is the X-Meeting?
  5. Who are the ISMB 2006 Conference Chairs?
  6. What is EMBRAPA/CNPTIA?
  7. What is LNCC/MCT?
  8. Do I need a visa to visit Fortaleza, Brazil?
  9. Where is Fortaleza, Brasil?
  10. What can I do to ensure my personal safety?
  11. What Language is Spoken in Fortaleza, Brazil?
  12. Do I need vaccinations to visit Fortaleza, Brazil?
  13. Are there direct flights to Fortaleza from the United States?
  14. What is the currency?
  15. How can I pay to register for ISMB?
  16. How do I get from the airport to my hotel?
  17. Where do I register when I arrive?
  18. Are travel fellowships available and what expenses do they cover?
  19. Where do exhibitors set up their booths?
  20. Where do I set up my poster?
  21. What is the Cyber Cafe?
  22. Where is the Cyber Cafe?
  23. Will I be entitled to tax refunds on goods purchased in Brazil?
  24. What should I do if I lose something?
  25. Where can I get the conference map?
Q: Who is the ISCB?

A: The International Society for Computational Biology (ISCB; http://www.iscb.org) is the parent organization of the annual Intelligent Systems for Molecular Biology (ISMB) conference. The ISCB is dedicated to advancing the scientific understanding of living systems through computation. The ISCB communicates the significance of our science to the larger scientific community, governments, and the public at large. The ISCB serves a global membership by impacting government and scientific policies, providing high quality publications and meetings, and through distribution of valuable information about training, education, employment and relevant news from related fields. ISCB membership offers many benefits including reduced conference registration fees and reduced subscription prices for several journals of Computational Biology and Bioinformatics.. There are currently over 1900 active members from 51 countries including more than 700 students and trainee members. A member's meeting and a meeting of the Board of Directors for the society are held annually in conjunction with the ISMB conference.

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Q: What is the ISCB's contact information?

A: ISCB
c/o the San Diego Supercomputer Center, UC San Diego
9500 Gilman Drive, MC 0505
La Jolla, CA 92093-0505
USA

Phone: +1-858-822-0852
Fax: +1-760-888-0313
Email: admin@iscb.org

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Q: What is the ISMB conference?

A: Intelligent Systems for Molecular Biology (ISMB) is the annual meeting of the International Society for Computational Biology (ISCB). Over the past twelve years, the ISMB conference has grown to become the largest bioinformatics conference in the world. The ISMB conferences provide a multidisciplinary forum for disseminating the latest developments in bioinformatics. ISMB brings together scientists from computer science, molecular biology, mathematics, and statistics. Its principal focus is on the development and application of advanced computational methods for biological problems.

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Q: Where will the conference be held?

A: The conference will be held at the Centro de Convenções do Ceará in Fortaleza, Brazil. It is located at:

Centro de Convenções do Ceará
Av. Washington Soares, 1141
Cep 60.811-341
Fortaleza – Ceará – Brazil

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Q: Who is the AB3C?

A: The Brazilian Association for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (AB3C) is a scholarly society dedicated to advancing the scientific understanding of living systems through computation. The AB3C communicates the significance of our science to the larger scientific community, government, and the public at large.

The AB3C serves a Brazilian and international membership by impacting government and scientific policies, providing high quality publications and meetings, and through distribution of valuable information about training, education, employment and relevant news from related fields.

Additional information can be found at: http://www.ab3c.org/english/index.php

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Q: What is the AB3C's contact information?

A: You can email: ab3c@lncc.br or view http://www.ab3c.org

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Q: What is the X-Meeting?

A: The “X-meeting” is an annual event organized by the Associaçao Brasileria de Bioinformática e Biologia Computacional (AB3C) to provide a forum for Brazilian and international scientists to report on recent progress and remarkable issues in the field. The meeting provides four venues for reports: posters, technical sections, mini-symposia and lectures.

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Q: Who are the ISMB 2006 Conference Chairs?

A: Goran Neshich, EMBRAPA/CNPTIA, Campinas, Brazil

Goran Neshich, Ph.D., is the Structural BioInformatics (SBI) group leader at the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA), National Agricultural Information Technology Research Center (CNPTIA), Campinas - SP, Brazil.

Neshich started his work in structural bioinformatics while studying structure and function relationship of the photosynthetic reaction center during his graduate work done with Don DeVault at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He conducted his postdoctoral research with Barry Honig at Columbia University.

Neshich is the principal author of STING, STING Millennium Suite, Gold STING and Diamond STING (current version). STING is a popular software application, database and visualization tool providing one of the largest collections of the physicochemical parameters describing proteins' structure, stability, function and interaction with other macromolecules. STING is accessible from number of STING mirrors around the world including the Protien Data Bank (PDB), www.pdb.org. Neshich's latest initiative is further developing the JavaProtein Dossier, STING Report and STAR STING. More about his research may be found at www.cbi.cnptia.embrapa.br.

Neshich has presided the meeting in Angra dos Reis - RJ, held in November 2004, where the Brazlian Association for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics (AB3C) has been inaugurated. Since 2002, Neshich has been elected as a member of Board of Directors of the ISCB and recently was appointed as a chair of the ISMB 2006.


Ana Tereza Ribeiro de Vasconcelos, LNCC/MCT, Petrópolis, Brazil

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Q: What is EMBRAPA/CNPTIA?

A: From the very beginning, on April 26, 1973, Embrapa has generated and recommended more than nine thousand technologies for Brazilian agriculture, reduced production costs and helped Brazil to increase the offer of food while, at the same time, conserving natural resources and the environment and diminishing external dependence on technologies, basic products and genetic materials.

Networking through 37 Research Centers, 3 Service Centers and 11 Central Divisions, Embrapa is present in almost all the states of the Union, each with its own ecological conditions. There are 8,619 employees in Embrapa, of which 2,221 are researchers, 45% with master's degrees and 53% with doctoral degrees. Embrapa coordinates the National Agricultural Research System, which includes most public and private entities involved in agricultural research in the country.

Embrapa maintains projects in International Cooperation in order to perfect knowledge of technical and scientific activities or to share knowledge and technology with other countries.

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Q: What is LNCC?

A: LNCC is an important center from the Brazilian Ministry of Science and Technology, dedicated to scientific computational research in general. Among its current research activities, bioinformatics has become one of its main areas and its lab, LABINFO, is one of the national references in this field. LABINFO is fundamentally involved in the development of mathematical and computational methodologies for genomics and post-genomics areas. LABINFO is also a training center in Bioinformatics and biotechnology.

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Q: Do I need a visa to visit Fortaleza, Brazil?

A: The rules for issuing Visas are different from country to country, and are constantly changing. Please, contact the nearest Brazilian Embassy or Consulate and check if you need an Entry Visa to Brazil , to attend ISMB 2006.

More information can be found at our Why Fortaleza page.

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Q: Where is Fortaleza, Brazil?
A: Fortaleza is located in North East Brazil and is the seaside capital of the State of Ceará. A modern city with endless sunshine (three thousand hours of sun per year) and a constant ocean breeze making for a true paradise. The city has many attractions and a vibrant nightlife with bars, restaurants, and shows. A city that is always alive and is known for having the "wildest Monday nights in the world." The Praia of Iracema (Iracema's beach), one of the first urban nucleuses of the city, holds most of the bars and restaurants. There, the Ponte dos Ingleses (English's Bridge), the old docks, are located and used to watch the sunset and spot dolphins.

The warm waters of Fortaleza's urbanized beaches offer every comfort to the tourist. The scenery is complemented by the jangadas, the small and rustic rafts used by many of Ceará's fishermen, which provide the “fruits of the sea” used in creating the best dishes for Ceará's cuisine.

The Praia do Futuro (Beach of the Future) is the meeting place for sunbathers, with a large number of typical beachside restaurants using the traditional carnauba straw in its construction. The local population calls them "Barracas de Praia." Thursday nights, the beach becomes the biggest sensation in the capital's nightlife, with live music, forró and an endless supply of crab to dine on. With strong winds the Praia do Futuro is an excellent place for nautical sports. Fortaleza hosts world competitions of surfing and windsurfing.

A few kilometers away from the city are some well-known beaches as Prainha, Iguape and Porto das Dunas. At the latter there are two large water parks.

For those who like shopping, Fortaleza is also a paradise. The art crafts can be found at the local markets. Clothes, shoes, purses and bikinis made by the skilled hands of Cearense are sold at Rua Monsenhor Tabosa, an immense open-space shopping mall. At downtown, the tourist can find museums, historical public squares and the Theatre José de Alencar, considered one of the most beautiful in Brazil.

Fortaleza's history began 275 years ago, when the Dutch constructed the Fort Shoonenborch in 1649. Later, the Portuguese expelled the Dutch and renamed it to Fort of Nossa Senhora da Assunção. Around the fort, which even today is in perfect conservation state, a small village grew into the fifth largest city in Brazil with 2.1 million people.

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Q: Fortaleza Airport
A: Pinto Martins International Airport is one of the newest and most modern airports in Brazil. It has the capacity to receive 2.5 million passengers per year. The airport has seven boarding gates with "finger" systems. The patio can receive up to 19 airplanes simultaneously. The airport is approximately a 15 minute taxi ride to the city center.

Address: Avenida Senador Carlos Jereissati, 2000 - Pici - Fortaleza (CE) - CEP: 60.741-900
Telephone: 85 477 1200.

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Q: Business Hours

A: Most offices and stores are open from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Stores are also open on Saturday from 9am to 1pm while most of the large shopping centers open Monday to Saturday from 10:00am to 10:00pm. Banks are open from Monday through Friday from 10:00am to 4:30pm.

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Q: Climate

A: Fortaleza has a warm and dry tropical climate with an average annual temperature in July and August is 27oC (80F). The relative air humidity is 77%, with an annual precipitation average of 1.378,3 millimeters (mm).

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Q: Clothings

A: Appropriately enough for a city where the beach and warm weather play such an important role, casual dress dominates in Fortaleza, although during working hours men will not feel out of place in a suit and tie and women in smart dresses or a suit. Few of Fortaleza's night spots require formal attire. For men, slacks and a sport shirt are sufficient; for women, casual attire is fine. Women may appreciate having a shawl or cardigan in hand for the more heavily air-conditioned buildings, while a light sweater is all that is necessary for winter nights. It is suggested delegates bring a light rain jacket.

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Q: Communications

A: Fortaleza has an excellent telecommunications system. Direct dial and collect calls can be placed from any telephone. Pay phones are located throughout the city and operate with telephone cards. Portable cellular telephones are available to visitors for a small rental charge. The International Direct Dial (IDD) code for Brazil is 55 and the city code for Fortaleza 85.

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Q: Cultural

A: Getting to know Fortaleza is to take a ride through its history. This modern city has many landmarks from its past, either in museums, churches, forts, public squares, stations, at the Farol do Mucuripe, theatre and historical buildings. Downtown includes attractions such as the Fort of Nossa Senhora da Assunção, built in the same spot that the city was originated, and the Palácio da Luz (Palace of Light), a beautiful construction from end of the eighteenth century classic style, which was the center of the state government.

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Q: Eletric Current

A: The electric current in Fortaleza is 110 or 120 volts, 60 cycles, alternating current. Many hotels and large apartment blocks do, however, have some 220 volt outlets.

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Q: Hotels

A: The ISMB will have a selection of hotels available at a negotiated discount rate for conference attendees, and this information will be posted as soon as it is available. For the time being, we provide the profissional information on hotels in Fortaleza! Information about hotels and pre-booking can be found at Nascimento Turismo: http://www.nascimento.com.br/ismb/

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Q: Medical Services

A: Fortaleza and Brazil have a number of internationally respected hospitals, clinics and doctors, but treatment is expensive so visitors are strongly advised to take out medical trip insurance before traveling to Brazil.

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Q: Taxis

A: Fortaleza has an extensive taxi fleet which be hailed in the streets, as well as a series of special taxis operated by licensed companies which can be found at the airports, hotels or booked by phone. From the international airport and the main shopping centers most of the special taxis work on a fixed fare determined by area which is paid in advance at the company's counter above which the fare price must be displayed.

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Q: Tipping

A: Hotels: hotels generally include any service charge on the bill. Restaurants: tips are discretionary but are often found on the final bills as a "suggestion". In Brazil the norm remains 10 per cent. Taxis: tips are not expected by taxi drivers although most passengers will round the fare up if satisfied with the service. Airport and hotel porters: the Real equivalent of U$1.00 per suitcase.

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Q: What can I do to ensure my personal safety?

Like most large cities tourists are reminded to consider their personal safety before departing for the destination and to plan accordingly while visiting. In Fortaleza the police provide comprehensive patrolling of the city for the protection of tourists and are properly trained and equipped to attend to cases involving tourists. The police patrol the popular tourist areas including the beaches and the vicinity of the hotels.

Divisão de Apoio ao Turista
Rua Silva Paulet, 505 - Aldeota
Telephone: 261.3769 and 455.8112

Useful security tips:
• If possible avoid leaving your hotel wearing jewelry or carrying expensive photo or video cameras.
• Hotels offer safety deposit boxes in their rooms. It is recommended that jewelry, air tickets, documents and money are kept in them. Carry only what is necessary for your daily use with you.
• Preferentially leave the hotel in small groups.
• Please feel free to ask for directions at the front desk of the hotel or from someone belonging to the conference organization.
• It is suggested that taxis from one of the several taxi cooperatives be used, or at least one that seems new. Your hotel or the conference organizers can assist you with phone numbers or suggestions.
• Avoid carrying too much cash, as many shops and stores in Fortaleza accept credit cards.

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Q: What Language is Spoken in Fortaleza, Brazil?

A: The official language spoken is Portuguese.

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Q: Do I need vaccinations to visit Fortaleza, Brazil?

A: It is also recommended to check if you need Yellow Fever vaccination.
This is recommended for people visiting certain parts of Brazil - in particular the States of Acre, Amazonas, Amapá, Pará, Mato Grosso do Sul, Mato Grosso, Roraima, Rondonia and Tocantins.

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Q: Are there direct flights to Fortaleza from the United States?

A: Yes, beginning June 1, 2006 TAM Airlines will be operating new daily service from Miami, USA to Fortaleza, via Manaus, Brazil. Click here to view the Schedule.

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Q: What is the currency?

A: The Brazilian monetary unit is the Real (R$). There are coins of one, five, ten, twenty-five, fifty cents, and one Real and there are bills of one, two, five, ten, twenty, fifty and one hundred Reais.

The exchange rate available to visitors is published daily in the newspaper along with the commercial dollar rate of the day used in official international business transactions. Cash and traveler checks, especially US Dollars, can be exchanged at most banks or exchange houses as well as the major hotels. All major credit cards are accepted in Brazil and some stores even accept foreign currency.

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Q: How can I pay to register for ISMB?

A: Delegates can pay on-line using the following credit cards or mail in a Check. Accepted credit cards are: Mastercard, Visa, Diners Club and American Express.

Registration fees and instructions can be found here: www.iscb.org/ismb2006/reg.html

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Q: How do I get from the airport to my hotel?

A: See Taxis for information.

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Q: Where do I register when I arrive?

A: The exact location will be posted at a later date.

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Q: Are travel fellowships available and what expenses do they cover?

A: ISMB is pleased to announce funding opportunities for students and postdoctoral fellows to attend the ISMB 2006 conference in Fortaleza, Brazil. ISMB is committed to providing support to as many eligible applicants as possible. Deadline May 1, 2006.

For details please visit: http://www.iscb.org/ismb06/fship.php

The travel fellowship will cover full or partial costs toward travel and housing, depending on the amount awarded. Receipts are required to receive the funding.

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Q: Where do exhibitors set up their booths?

A: Information for exhibitors will be provided soon. See the exhibitor floor plan here: www.iscb.org/ismb2006/exhibitor_all.html

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Q: Where do I set up my poster?

A: Information will be available at a later date.

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Q: What is the Cyber Cafe?

A: The Cyber Cafe is a facility offering web and email access for conference attendees. To avoid long lines, we request that users limit their access times to 15 minutes per session.

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Q: Where is the Cyber Cafe?

A: The CyberCafe location will be identified at a later date.

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Q: Will I be entitled to tax refunds on goods purchased in the Brazil?

A: Brazil does not offer tax refunds on items purchased by visitors.

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Q: Customs

A: Besides accompanying clothing and personal belongings (which may include radio, tape deck, typewriter, movie and still cameras), tourists entering Brazil are allowed to buy merchandise at the airport duty free shop on arrival.

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Q: What should I do if I lose something?

A: A lost and found will be located at the information booth located outside at the Fortaleza Convention Center. The exact location will be identified at a later date.

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Q: Where can I get the conference map?

A: You can download it here.

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