Abstracts

2008 Abstract Submission

Abstract Submission Instructions

Abstract Topics & Keywords

Submission Rules & Guidelines

All authors will be asked to approve the following statement when submitting an abstract: “I have read, understand and agree to the rules and guidelines.” Your abstract will not be programmed if this box has not been checked.

1. An individual may be first author (i.e., presenting author) of only one abstract. The first author's name must be the first author name to appear on the abstract. There is no limit to the number of times an individual may appear as co-author on abstracts.
    

2. Abstracts must be submitted with the intention that they will be presented if selected. First authors are expected to attend the meeting and make the platform or poster presentation. First authors should not submit abstracts if they do not plan to attend the meeting.
    

3. With regard to research using human subjects, ASHG endorses the protections embodied in the Basic Principles of the Declaration of Helsinki and their expansion in the regulations governing research supported by the U.S. Government (45 CFR Part 46; 56 FR 28003). ASHG does not endorse and will not publish the results of research that was not conducted in accordance with these Principles. Investigations involving animals reported in abstracts must have been conducted in conformance with approved principles of the care and use of animals in research.
    

4. To ensure the CME activity meets the ACCME guidelines, first authors must disclose any and all relationships with a commercial interest if the relationship is financial and occurred with the past 12 months and if the individual has the opportunity to affect or may be perceived to affect the content of CME about the products or services of that commercial interest.
    

5. With regard to research where a gene is identified, the author must present the gene name at the meeting or the abstract will be withdrawn. Authors who do not name the gene at the meeting will be subject to sanctions as determined by the Program Committee.
    

6. A complete abstract should include a statement of purpose, methods used, and a summary of results in sufficient detail to support the conclusion. Statements such as "results will be described" should be avoided.
    

7. All abstracts submitted will be assigned either a platform or poster presentation at the discretion of the ASHG Program Committee. The Program Committee reviews all abstracts submitted for presentation at the ASHG Annual Meeting and determines whether an abstract is suitable for platform or poster presentation.
    

8. Review of Abstracts. All abstracts are reviewed by at least one Program Committee member and two ad hoc reviewers. Names of the reviewers may be obtained by contacting Krista Koziol (kkoziol@ashg.org). The reviewing process is strictly confidential and all reviewers have agreed to the following: "I understand the confidential nature of the abstracts, and I will not discuss their contents with any individual, nor will I make copies of abstracts for my own or others' use. In addition, I will not review any abstracts where conflict of interest may be perceived, i.e., work on which I have authored or co-authored or work completed in laboratories where I work. After completing my reviews, I will return all copies of the abstracts to the Administrative Office of The American Society of Human Genetics."
    

9. The Program Committee reserves the right to decline a presentation to any submitted abstracts that lack scientific content or merit, or merely announce the availability of a resource or service.
    

10. Results or studies that have been published or that will be accepted for publication elsewhere prior to the submission deadline of June 19, 2008, may not be accepted for presentation.

Publication of Abstracts

Abstracts selected for presentation and publication will be available at the ASHG Annual Meeting website in early October.
 

Abstract Revisions

If you need to revise your abstract, follow instructions for revision on the abstract link on the ASHG Website. All revisions must be completed prior to the June 19, 2008 deadline. Revisions will not be accepted after this date.
 

Abstract Withdrawals

Withdrawal requests (from the first/presenting author only) should be made by midnight, EST (USA Time) on or before June 19. All abstracts will be published and cannot be removed from publication after June 19 (even at the request of the author and/or principal investigator). Abstracts not withdrawn by June 19 will be reviewed by members of the Program Committee. If selected for presentation at the ASHG Annual Meeting, abstracts will be published online and in print. This information can be accessed by the public and may be referenced by ASHG Media Relations staff and others. Once a presentation has been scheduled, first authors who are unable to make the presentation are asked to notify Krista Koziol (kkoziol@ashg.org) immediately so that notation can be included in the program addendum.
 

Guidelines for Preparing Effective Posters

Authors will be assigned a presentation time during one of the three 2-hour poster sessions. Authors are expected to stand at their posters throughout the assigned session.

Each poster author will be assigned to share a 6’ poster board. Each author will have a net useable space in portrait/vertical format that measures 2'10" (86.36 cm) wide x 3'8" (111.76 cm) high.
 

Design of effective posters requires careful thought and advance preparation. It is not sufficient to enlarge an abstract and add a few figures. When planning a poster, the first task is to identify the one, two, or three principal messages you have to convey. Then work out the most effective presentation and choose a headline to help highlight each point.

Poster presentations should be designed to summarize current research in graphic forms: charts, tables, graphs, pictures, etc. Your poster should be self-explanatory so that you are free to supplement and discuss particular points raised in inquiry. The following suggestions will help in preparing effective posters.

Mounting and Arranging Materials

• Prepare a heading at the top of your poster indicating the abstract title, authors, and affiliations.

• Lettering should be at least 1" (2.54 cm) high.

• Materials should be mounted on thin, colored poster paper or cardboard and mounted on the poster board with push pins that will be provided.

• Arrange materials in columns.

Illustrations

• Remember that your presentation must be readable from distances of at least 3' (91.44 cm). Keep visual materials simple and clear.

• Detailed information should be provided in smaller type below the heading. Details of methodology should be brief and should be placed at the end of the legend.

• Simple use of color can add effective emphasis.

• Audiovisual equipment is not permitted in the poster board area.

• Do not write or paint directly on the poster boards.

Computer/Video-Enhanced Poster Presentations

Poster authors may choose to rent audiovisual equipment for use during assigned presentation times. Poster authors will be responsible for payment in advance for equipment ordered. All equipment requests must be sent to Pauline Minhinnett via email paulinem@ashg.org so that a price estimate can be given.

Lost Posters

In case your poster is lost during transit to the meeting, we suggest poster authors bring a smaller version of their poster presentation on 8½x11" paper or bring a copy of the presentation on a USB drive so that it can be printed on site.
 

Instructions for Plenary Abstract Presentations

• Presentations are 20 minutes in length (15 minute presentation, 5 minute question & answers).

• All presentations must use electronic presentation format.

• All presentation files (i.e., PowerPoint) must be loaded in the central computer system to assure their availability for your talk.

• The slide following your title slide should contain text about relationships and affiliations disclosed in your Conflict of Interest information.

• The last slide in your presentation may include acknowledgments.

PREPARE YOUR PRESENTATION Because session rooms are large, it is critical that you take great care in the design and content of your electronic presentations. Details on “How to Prepare an Effective Presentation” will be posted in October 2008.

Important Reminders:

• When presenting data and health information (including photos) all presenters must have informed consent compliant with human subjects and applicable HIPAA regulation.

• ASHG requires disclosure of gene names (either as part of abstract text or in presentation) and sharing research data so that findings can be replicated and other investigators with similar data can test findings against their own.

SUBMIT YOUR PRESENTATION: You can submit your presentation in one of two ways:

• In advance (beginning October 2008). When you submit your presentation in advance, it is important that you check your presentation in the Speaker Ready/Hospitality Room (Room 202B) in the Convention Center at least 4 hours before your talk. To avoid last minute problems, we recommend that you check your presentation 24 hours before your talk, if possible. OR

• At the meeting by visiting the Speaker Ready/Hospitality Room (Room 202B) in the Convention Center at least 4 hours before your talk. To avoid last minute problems, we recommend that you submit your presentation 24 hours before your talk, if possible.

   

• Standard audio-visual equipment available to all plenary session presenters includes: LCD projector and computer with mouse for computer-generated presentations, screen, lectern, microphone, pointer, and speaker timing lights. No dual projection will be provided. Overhead projectors and 35mm slide projectors will NOT be provided. Please email Pauline Minhinnett (paulinem@ashg.org)  if you require additional audio visual or an Internet connection for your presentation.

Instructions for Platform Abstract Presentations

• Presentations are 15 minutes in length (10 minute presentation, 5 minute question & answers).

• All presentations must use electronic presentation format.

• All presentation files (i.e., PowerPoint) must be loaded in the central computer system to assure their availability for your talk.

• The slide following your title slide should contain text about relationships and affiliations disclosed in your Conflict of Interest information.

• The last slide in your presentation may include acknowledgments.

Important Reminders:

• When presenting data and health information (including photos) all presenters must have informed consent compliant with human subjects and applicable HIPAA regulation.

• ASHG requires disclosure of gene names (either as part of abstract text or in presentation) and sharing research data so that findings can be replicated and other investigators with similar data can test findings against their own.

PREPARE YOUR PRESENTATION: Because session rooms are large, it is critical that you take great care in the design and content of your electronic presentations. Details on “How to Prepare an Effective Presentation” will be posted in October 2008.

SUBMIT YOUR PRESENTATION: You can submit your presentation in one of two ways:

• In advance (beginning October 2008). When you submit your presentation in advance, it is important that you check your presentation in the Speaker Ready/Hospitality Room (Room 202B) in the Convention Center at least 4 hours before your talk. To avoid last minute problems, we recommend that you check your presentation 24 hours before your talk, if possible. OR

• At the meeting by visiting the Speaker Ready/Hospitality Room (Room 202B) in the Convention Center at least 4 hours before your talk. To avoid last minute problems, we recommend that you submit your presentation 24 hours before your talk, if possible.
   

• Standard audio-visual equipment available to all plenary session presenters includes: LCD projector and computer with mouse for computer-generated presentations, screen, lectern, microphone, pointer, and speaker timing lights. No dual projection will be provided. Overhead projectors and 35mm slide projectors will NOT be provided. Please email Pauline Minhinnett (paulinem@ashg.org) if you require additional audio visual or an Internet connection for your presentation.

How to Cite an Abstract

Following is a suggested style for citing 2008 abstracts online: Simpson RS, Barnes P, Disruption of the microRNA pathway [Abstract program number xxxx]. Presented at the annual meeting of The American Society of Human Genetics, Date, Location (e.g., November XX, 2008, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania). Available after September 25, 2008 at the following URL: http://www.ashg.org/genetics/ashg08s/index.shtml*

*Abstracts from previous ASHG annual meetings are available by clicking on the year of the meeting at Past Meetings Archive. In your abstract citation, use the appropriate URL for the meeting in which an abstract was presented.