Events

Since its inception in late 2010, a large network has grown around the Dial-a-Molecule EPSRC Grand Challenge. During its life-time, over 1000 representatives from academia and industry have participated in various Network Activities. The events that Dial-a-Molecule have organised have provided opportunities to forge new collaborations, showcase the latest technology, engage with commercial outfits and funding bodies, present research focussed on developing the Roadmap and much more. They have been platforms to exchange ideas in the spirit of the Grand Challenge, and have enabled the community to have a voice in shaping the future of chemistry.

Below is an archive on events held during the Grand Challenge period 2010 – 2015. To find out more about any of the events, click on the relevant heading. Meeting reports can also be accessed via the Resources tab.

	Smart Materials: Efficiency, Complexity and Design October 2015, University of Warwick A one-day meeting to bring together synthetic chemists and polymer chemists to discuss efficiency, complexity and design and how it relates to polymer synthesis. Find out more here
	Lead-Oriented Synthesis: Exploring Drug Relevant Chemical Diversity September 2015, GSK Stevenage A one-day meeting consisting of invited and plenary talks on the topic of lead-oriented synthesis. The meeting was also the launch of LLAMA. Find out more here
	Chemical Synthesis in the 21st Century: Annual Meeting 2015 June 2015, University of Warwick The Annual Showcase of all things Dial-a-Molecule, including updates from Network inspired projects, breakout discussions and an exhibition showcasing technology developed across the Network. Find out more here
	From Big Data to Chemical Information April 2015, Royal Society of Chemistry, London A joint meeting co-organised by the RSC Chemical Information and Computer Applications Group to explore the problems of data overload, opportunities that large data-sets can present, and the potential IT solutions to help chemists obtain information and knowledge from data repositories. Find out more here
	Making Molecules to Make Materials May 2015, Leeds Dial-a-Molecule and Beyond the Molecule: Directed Assembly joined forces to host an exclusive Early Career event designed to form collaborations between the leaders of the future. Find out more here
	Closed Loop Optimisation of Synthesis April 2015, GSK Stevenage A discussion on how to “Close the Loop” and utilise computer algorithms and automated equipment to remove the drudgery from optimising synthetic procedures. Find out more here
	Catalytic Sustainability in the Future February 2015, University of Manchester Catalysis is central to achieving the aims of Dial-a-Molecule, but the precious metals used in many catalytic cycles won’t last forever. This meeting discussed the challenges and opportunities involved with developing the catalysts of tomorrow. Find out more here
	Experimental Design: An Essential Skill for Chemists II December 2014, Royal Society of Chemistry, London An event aimed at promoting the education and deployment of Statistical Methods and Principal Component Analysis in academia. Progress since the May meeting, evaluation of options for funding and implementation of a Statistical methods program for chemists and the plans for the next steps were all discussed. Find out more here
	Computational Prediction of Reaction Outcomes and Optimum Synthetic Routes September 2014, Leeds We are now living and working in an information age – but is synthetic chemistry taking full advantage of the large amounts of experimental data routinely available and the computing power available to enrich and manipulate it? Find out more here
	Dial-a-Molecule Annual Meeting 2014 July 2014, University of Birmingham The Dial-a-Molecule Annual Meeting was held on the 9th and 10th of July at the University of Birmingham. Find out more here
	Experimental Design – An Essential Skill for Chemists May 2014, Royal Society of Chemistry, London The first in a series of events aimed at promoting the education and deployment of statistical methods in chemistry research. Find out more here
	Chemical Sciences in the 21st Century – The Role of 3D Printing April 2014, CMAC Nottingham An opportunity to learn about 3D printing technologies and applications from both a chemistry and engineering perspective, and discuss issues and limitations in the area. Find out more here
	Liberating Laboratory Data January 2014, AstraZeneca Macclesfield A meeting to establish the current state of the art in facilitating the automated capture and use of laboratory data and discuss an open data description for ELNs. Find out more here
	X-Ray Absorption Spectroscopy: New Insights at the Interface Between Homogeneous, Heterogeneous and Hybrid Catalysis September 2013, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory Sponsored by Dial-a-Molecule and the UK Catalysis Hub, this two-day symposium will discuss the application of X-ray methods to accelerate synthetic research in the remit of the Grand Challenge. Find out more here
	Next Generation Reaction Platforms: Technology Showcase April 2013, Brunel University London A showcase of the latest technology, with a sandpit session in the afternoon to bid for proof of concept funding from CMAC and Dial-a-Molecule. Find out more here
	Using Synthetic Biology to Dial-a-Molecule February 2013, GSK Stevenage A debate organised to discuss how synthetic biology may transform the way we make molecules in the future including discussions around enzyme optimisation, biosynthesis and pathways, and future applications of synthetic biology. Find out more here
	Drug Discovery: Leveraging Academic Impact Through Novel Fragments February 2013, University of Huddersfield A theme event held in collaboration with SMSdrug.net and the 3D Fragment Consortium. Find out more here
	First Annual Meeting of the Dial-a-Molecule Grand Challenge Network July 2012, University of Warwick The first meeting held after the funding renewal, discussing the progress the Network had made in the initial phase and the opportunities available in the second phase. The Roadmap was formally published on this day. Find out more here
	Rapid Reaction Analysis Workshop September 2011, University of Strathclyde Held under the Rapid Reaction Analysis theme, the workshop tackled one of the challenges crucial to Dial-a-Molecule: how can we analyse reactions faster, ideally in real time. Find out more here
	Reactor Platforms for the 21st Century Lab August 2011, GSK Stevenage A two-day meeting containing plenary talks and breakout discussion sessions aimed at defining a future research agenda and to produce ideas and directions for the Roadmap. Find out more here
	A Step-Change in Synthesis August 2011, AstraZeneca Held under the “A Step Change in Molecular Synthesis” theme, this two-day meeting included presentations from the champions of the theme and small group discussions on the emerging themes in synthesis. Find out more here
	The Smart Laboratory: Towards a National ELN July 2011, Southampton A two-day meeting held under the Lab of the Future theme to tackle the important matters regarding the need to capture information on all reactions carried out, not just the most successful, and how ELNs in academia can play a part in this. Find out more here
	Predicting Reaction Outcomes and Developing Perfect Reactions July 2011, Syngenta A two-day meeting that was divided between informative, provocative assessments of the state of the art and key future directions from invited speakers and small group discussions on thematic new areas of research. Find out more here
	Selectivity, Sustainability, Predictability: Multi-Disciplinary Issues for 21st Century Catalysis July 2011, AstraZeneca A two-day meeting run under the catalysis theme with sessions on “New reactivity: Target driven catalysis”, “Intervention-free synthesis by phase-distinct, multi-dimensional catalysis” and “Engineering control through fundamental mechanistic understanding”. Find out more here
	Chemistry Innovation Stakeholder Meeting June 2011, Birmingham Dial-a-Molecule attended the 5th Annual Stakeholder forum organised by Chemistry Innovation and were able to inform key members from the chemistry using industries about the aims and opportunities of Dial-a-Molecule. Find out more here
	Dial-a-Molecule Industry Focus Meeting April 2011, London A meeting attended by representatives of companies from across the chemical-using industries to help give the themes a broader industrial steer and to make them as industry relevant, academically challenging and fundable as possible. Find out more here
	Getting The Most of External Collaborations March 2011, London Dial-a-Molecule attended an external event organised by the Royal Society of Chemistry to discuss how the open innovation agenda impacts on interactions between and amongst the pharmaceutical industry and academia. Find out more here
	Dial-a-Molecule and DAESTP Joint Launch Meeting October 2010, Birmingham The official launch meeting of the Dial-a-Molecule and Directed Assembly Grand Challenge Networks, including key-not lectures and group discussion sessions to shape the key issues that the Grand Challenges will focus on. Find out more here