Synergy Forum 2020

We cordially invite you to the Synergy Forum 2020.

It will be convened on May 16 and 17, 2020 in Bonn.

The Synergy Forum 2020 will cover the following main topics:

• Updated reviews of fundamental theories and models of synergy quantification
• The concept of synergy in ancient systems of medicine
• The field of controversy between "biology" and "mathematics"
• The understanding of synergy by systems biology and network pharmacology
• Advanced models, metrics and bioinformatic tools towards the prediction and quantitation of synergistic drug interactions
• Examples of benefits from synergistic approaches and synergistic drug combinations in clinical research and practice
• New opportunities for combinatory uses of natural and allopathic drugs

The Synergy Forum 2020 will take place again at the University Club Bonn which in 2018 all participants appreciated for its good location and facilities, personal atmosphere and great food.

The conference programme will include the following speakers and topics:

• Andreas Bender, Cambridge, UK: DeepSynergy: predicting drug synergy with Deep Learning
• Ting-Chao Chou, New York, USA: Application of the Combination Index (CI) Method for synergy quantitation in in vitro and in vivo experiments
• Georg Feldmann & Savita Bisht, Bonn, Germany: The role of combination therapies in pancreatic cancer
• Mats Gustafsson, Uppsala, Sweden: COMBImage2 - A parallel computational 
  framework for higher-order drug combination analysis using  label-free video microscopy movies
• Shanmugan Hemaiswarya, Chennai, India: Synergism between natural drugs and antibiotics against infectious diseases
• Motlalepula G. Matsabisa, Bloemfontein, South Africa: Approaches towards combinatory treatment regimes against HIV using African natural medicines
• Michael Menden, Munich, Germany: Advancing the computational prediction of cancer drug combinations by pharmacogenomic screening
• Alison Motsinger-Reif, Raleigh, USA: Terminology and methodology of chemical synergy - perspectives from across disciplines
• Pulok Mukherjee & Subhadip Banerjee, Kolkata, India: Synergism in Ayurveda and network pharmacology
• Alexander Panossian, Vaxtorp, Sweden: Synergy assessments of plant extracts used in the treatment of stress and aging-related disorders
• Bhushan Patwardhan, Pune/New Delhi, India: Systems biology and holistic concepts of traditional Indian medicine
• Hesham Saeed & Ahmed Elwakeel, Alexandria, Egypt: Implementation of the Chou-Talalay method for studying the in vitro interactions of  drug combinations on  breast cancer cells
• Harald Schweim, Cologne, Germany: Approval of biosimilars vs. biologicals (originals) - advantages and risks
• Theresa A. Shapiro, Baltimore, USA: Synergistic interactions of antimalarial drugs
• Anastasiia Shcherbakova, Yoshkar-Ola, Russian Republic: Synergistic potential of lichen extracts for the treatment of cancer cells
• Gudrun Ulrich-Merzenich, Bonn, Germany: The quantification of synergism and its relevance for clinical applications - an update
• Robert Verpoorte, Leiden, Netherlands: The challenge of finding a balance between "biology" and "mathematics" in synergy research
• Anna Vlot, Berlin, Germany: Applying drug synergy metrics to combination screening data - agreements, disagreements and pitfalls

Further speakers and topics will be confirmed shortly

R E G I S T R A T I O N  to the Synergy Forum 2020:

In 2020 Bonn will also celebrate the 250th birthday of Ludwig van Beethoven (who was born in December 1770 and spent the first 22 years of his life in Bonn where he perfected his musical skills)  with the International Beethoven Festival that will become a major international cultural event.

We strongly recommend that you come to  Bonn already on Friday May 15, 2020 to enjoy an unforgettable "Beethoven event" in the evening (given that hopefully the weather is fine):  the Open Air Simultaneous Concert of the Beethoven Orchestra Bonn and the Vienna Symphony Orchestra who will perform simultaneously in Bonn and in Vienna. This concert is staged by the Beethoven Anniversary Society BTHVN2020 in the Hofgarten Bonn which is just a short walk away from the conference venue. We shall be happy to assist the participants of the Synergy Forum in obtaining seats with good view and acoustics.

The general programme format for the Synergy Forum 2020 will be:

Friday May 15, 2020

Afternoon: Editorial Board Meeting of the Synergy Journal at the University Club

Evening: We recommend to enjoy the Open Air Beethoven Concert (organised by the Beethoven Anniversary Society BTHVN2020).

Saturday May 16, 2020

ca. 9.30 - 19.00 h Synergy Forum Conference Programme Day 1

20.00 h Conference Dinner

Sunday May 17, 2020

ca. 9.00 - 16.00 h Synergy Forum Conference Programme Day 2

R E G I S T R A T I O N  to the Synergy Forum 2020:

Registration Fees:

Professionals - Early Bird Fee (until January 31, 2020) ......................................150,00 Euro

Professionals - Regular Fee (from February 01, 2020) .......................................190,00 Euro

Professionals of UKB / University of Bonn ........................................................... 80,00 Euro

Students / Graduates / Docs pursuing their PhD ................................................. 40,00 Euro

Accompanying Persons of Professionals ............................................................. 60,00 Euro

All fees are inclusive of full access to the conference programme, all meals during the conference, conference dinner on May 16 evening and an arrangement to attend the Open Air Beethoven Concert on May 15 evening.

You will continuously find updated information about the Synergy Forum 2020 on this website. We look forward to your interest and participation!