After months of planning and organising, the 3rd annual Bio21 Institute Research Symposium, was held on Friday 20 March 2009. After a forced break in 2008 due to the remedial work in the Institute's atrium, the event organised by the Institute's dynamic RAPD group aimed to assist researchers within the institute to showcase their research through oral and poster presentations, share information, meet fellow members and create an interactive environment in which potential collaborations can be forged and strengthened. From the feedback received and the interactions on the day, we are pleased that the event was hailed a success. With more than 250 participants attending throughout the day, the mix of disciplines, research and industry scientists, related sponsors and technology managers, the interactions were lively and engaging. Here's a rundown on how it all ran on the day.

The symposium was opened by Linda Feketeová (RAPD President) with a welcome and a few words on her personal experience at Bio21, followed by a formal opening by the Bio21 Interim Director Professor Tony Bacic.

Four oral sessions were chaired by Linda Feketeová, Nancy Endersby, Fleur Sernee and Diane Robinson. The day's program consisted of 20 oral presentations including speakers from groups representing all the disciplines and our research and industry partners, highlighted by four presentations of Bio21 supported interdisciplinary projects, and two poster sessions of 48 posters.

Presentation ranged from surviving climate change, atmospheric pollutants, low-cost flexible solar cells, ants in vineyards to cancers related to HPV, biomedical implants, fibrosis and metabolism of Leishmania parasite. The program kept to time allowing for appropriate time to break, eat and meet over the four poster sessions throughout the day.

Of course the event could not come together without the generous support and participation of our sponsors - GE Healthcare Life Sciences, Lomb Scientific, Crown Scientific, Eppendorf, Aldrich, Jeol, CSL, Dionex, Invitrogen, Kelly Scientific Resources and Sienna. A RAPD prize that encouraged participants and sponsors to interact was introduced this year also, adding an element of fun to the breaks. Wyvette Wee was the winner of the iPod prize.

After an informative and enlightening day of presentations, George Khairallah, on behalf of the symposium organisers, closed the event offering some final words of thanks to the Bio21 Institute Management, the sponsoring companies, the presenters and the research groups. In addition, the supervisors who allowed the RAPD symposium organising committee members some "free" time to complete all the necessary preparations were also commended.

Behind the scenes, many logistical issues were in the capable hands of Timothy Johanssen, Sri Harsha Ramarathinam, Troy Attard, Michael Griffin, Nicholas Williamson, Desmond Ang and the invaluable experience of Helen Varnavas.

The day wound up with a mixer allowing people the opportunity to wind down, enjoy some food and drinks and celebrate the success of the event.

Members of RAPD wish to once again thank everyone at the Institute for their participation and hope to see you all supporting Bio21 and RAPD activities throughout the year.

George Khairallah