The 6th SBML Hackathon

Stellenbosch University
April 6–8, 2008

We are pleased to announce that the 6th SBML Hackathon will be hosted by the Triple-J Group for Molecular Cell Physiology at the University of Stellenbosch, South Africa. This year's hackathon has an extended format and will run over three days from the 6-8th April.

The Stellenbosch University Campus is located in the heart of South Africa's Cape Winelands district about 50 km North East of Cape Town (Google Earth kmz). Stellenbosch is a quiet university town which can be safely explored on foot and is a prime travel destination, being minutes by car away from many of the region's top tourist attractions.

Support for the 6th SBML Hackathon was generously provided by the following organizations:

NIH/NIGMS (grant #077671)

The South African National Bioinformatics Network

Caltech

Agenda

Day 1 (Sunday, April 6)

Day 2 (Monday, April 7)

Day 3 (Tuesday, April 8)

Accommodations

Guest house accommodation

Stellenbosch University Campus

The following guest houses are within walking distance (about 10 mins) of the Hackathon.

Sponsored delegates

Will be accomodated in one of the following guest houses:

• Bonne Esperance
• Fynbos Villa Guest House

Other accommodation

Moderately priced ***

• The Avenues
• Malans Guest House
• Roosenwijn Guest House

Luxury guest houses *****

• Evergreen Manor

Transportation

Flight Information

Fly to Cape Town Internation Airport (CPT) either directly from a number of European destinations or connect via the Oliver Tambo International Airport (JHB) from New York, Europe, Asia.

Many airlines form all 5 continents fly to South Africa. Those that offer daily flights to Cape Town from the UK/Europe include: British Airways, KLM, Lufthansa and South African Airways (including a direct New York -- Johannesburg flight).

Once you have landed

We will try to provide ground transport between CPT and Stellenbosch (about 35 kilometers) for the duration of the Hackathon as no train or underground services are available from the airport.

A number of taxi services are not recommended. Should you, however, have no alternative as to use a taxi service, please make enquiries in the airport terminal building about a reputable service. Alternatively, most hotels and guest houses can arrange a shuttle to or from the airport.

If you would like to hire a car (directions), rental agencies include: Avis, Budget, Hertz, Imperial, Tempest. Please note that most cars have a manual transmission and that while automatics are available, they are rarer and may be slightly more expensive. All cars are right-hand drive.

Other Travel Notes

Visas

Many countries citizens do not need a visa to enter South Africa. Check the list of exemptions or visit the Department of Home Affairs visa information pages.

Power

South Africa uses 220/230V 50Hz power and a three pin plug. Adapters between the standard 3 pin and a two pin plug similar to this but with a diamond form factor <o o>

Rest assured, the building the Hackathon is to be held in has full backup power and is unaffected by the "load shedding" which has recently been announced by the national electricity supply utility (Eskom).

Money

The local currency is the South African Rand (ZAR) which are available as both notes (R200, R100, R50, R20, R10) and coins (R5, R2, R1). There are 100 cents in a Rand.

Both VISA and Mastercard linked credit cards are commonly accepted at most retail outlets and ATM machines, which are themselves widely available.

Sightseeing

Stellenbosch area

• If you enjoy wine try the extensive Stellenbosch wine route.
• Or experience a Kayamandi Township Tour.

Cape Town and surrounding areas

• One of the best way of seeing Cape Town: Table Mountain.
• Visit Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned.
• Relax at the V&A Waterfront and Two Oceans Aquarium.