Frontiers Retreat
Brussels, October 2023

Coming soon !

Abstract Submission

Although abstract submission is not mandatory to attend the meeting, we encourage you to submit an abstract on original work to be presented as oral communication or poster panel. Note that having an accepted abstract will be a selection criterion in the case of registration limitations. It is also a criterion for applying to meeting bursaries. Since this meeting is especially dedicated to early career young scientists, we will also ask you to provide the following information:

1. Academic qualifications
2. Current position
3. Affiliation

Note that there are no specific age/position restrictions but in the case of registration limitations, priority will be given to students (Master/ Ph.D.) or young professionals with less than 7 years after completing their last degree. Also, in case of registration limitation, priority will be given to submissions from delegates who have not previously attended a Frontiers Retreat. The Abstract Submission form is available below. Submissions will be accepted until June 30^th 2023. Successfully submitted abstracts will be acknowledged with an electronic receipt. Abstract acceptance will be notified as soon as possible in late August/early September 2023.

Abstract preparation guidelines:

• Abstracts must be submitted in English (.doc(x) files)
• Maximum abstract length is 500 words
• Abstracts should include relevant and detailed information about the work to be presented, divided into the following sections: i) background and novelty; ii) experimental approach; iii) results and discussion.
• Use our file template to write your abstract and name the file with your name and category code (i.e.: Surname_Forename_CODE) Click here to download our abstract file template.
• Codes for Category:
  • VVV tag for “Vaccines and viral vectors”
  • CLDE tag for Cell line development and engineering”
  • PDO tag for “Process development and optimization”
  • NMA tag for “New methods and analytics in cell culture”
  • CTDD tag for “Cells for toxicology and drug screening”
  • SCRM tag for “Stem cells & regenerative medicine”
  • DAM tag for “Digitalization and Modeling”
• Note: If your abstract matches with different categories, please include them all in the file name of your abstract (i.e.: Surname_Forename_CODE1_CODE2) and select the main one from the drop-down menu in the submission form.

Abstracts will be selected by a Scientific Committee according to their quality and will be proposed for oral or poster presentations in the different scientific sessions. Abstracts containing limited detail will not be accepted.

The 4^th ESACT Frontiers Retreat will take place from 18^th to 21^st October 2023 in Brussels, Belgium. Conference and accommodation will be at the same place for you to make the most of your time to enjoy the sessions, the workshops and to network with your peers.

Hotel Bedford

135-137 Rue du Midi

B-1000 Brussels

Registration with / without abstract

Early Registration – 300 euros: August 1^st  to September 29^th 2023
Late Registration – 350 euros: October 1^st to October 11^th 2023

The registration fee includes participation in the meeting and social activities as well as hotel accommodation for the nights of  18^th, 19^th, and 20^th of October 2023 in shared room. A single room upgrade will add an additional fee of 150 euros.

Organizing Committee:

We know meeting fees can be a limitation for students and young researchers. Thus, ESACT Frontiers defined a reduced fee covering registration, hotel accommodation, and main meals during our meeting.

If this is still too much for you, contact us. The European Society for Animal Cell Technology (ESACT) strives to encourage and facilitate the participation of students and young researchers in all ESACT-related meetings and events by sponsoring conference bursaries.

Eligibility criteria

• Abstract submission is not mandatory but highly encouraged. Applicants with an abstract submission will be prioritized over the others.
• Applicant must be a Ph.D./Master’s student (proof of affiliation will be required) or an early career Post-Doctoral researcher/Industrial Scientist/Engineer. If over-subscribed priority will be given to scientists/engineers in the first 7 years of research following completion of the degree (copy of diploma/certificate will be required).
• A letter from your supervisor is requested to support the need for a traveling bursary.
• If an abstract was submitted, the work presented in the paper will be judged by the Scientific Committee (on the basis of the abstract submitted) and must be of high quality.
• Limited bursaries will be awarded. In case of more applications fulfilling the basic criteria, the Scientific Committee reserves the right to rank according to the scientific quality and relevance of the work to Animal Cell Technology field.
• Bursary applications submitted after the deadline will not be accepted. Application deadline : 30^th June 2023

Application process

The applicant have to send an email to frontiers@esact.org with the following documentation :

• A proof of affiliation
• A letter from your supervisor
• Details on the travel for which a bursary is requested ( departure, extra hotel nights required ..)