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May 2007 E-Newsletter of the
Australasian Society of Clinical and Experimental Pharmacologists and
Toxicologists
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Welcome
to the May edition of the ASCEPT e-News. In this
bulletin we have a report from Dr Phil Burcham who represented ASCEPT at the
2007 BTS Congress. Members
have been requested to participate in a study into science and science
communication currently undertaken at ANU’s National Centre for the Public
Awareness of Science. We have a
review of the Governance
Review Implementation (Science Research Agencies) Bill 2007 and ASMRs reply
to the Federal Budget. Following on from Paul Wrights presentation; The Vision Systems Story 'From Start up to Billion Dollar Sale' at AusBiotech Victorian Medical Device Network in April, further events held by AusBiotech are promoted in this
newsletter. Don’t
forget to pencil in your diaries the SEAWP – ASCEPT joint meeting 2007 in
Adelaide in December. Finally a
reminder that the 2007 Australian Medicines Handbook is still available to
members at a discounted rate. If any
would like to contribute any items to e-News, please send it along to
Meetings First for consideration. |
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REPORT OF ASCEPT VISITOR TO 2007 BTS CONGRESS
Dr Phil Burcham, University of Western Australia My UK trip commenced with my
arrival in London on the afternoon of Sunday April 8. On Easter Monday I took
the train to Liverpool and spent a stimulating evening with my host Dr
Dominic Williams, a young and energetic lecturer in the Department of
Pharmacology at the University of Liverpool. Next day I enjoyed a tour of the
Pharmacology Department before presenting my lecture “Drugs As Chemical Reagents” to an attentive audience. The
afternoon was spent discussing research findings with Dr Williams and members
of his lab as well as Dr Chris Goldring and PhD student Ian Copple. The
latter researchers work on the role of the transcription factor Nrf2 in
mediating cellular responses to electrophiles. I was impressed by Ian’s data
showing the power of mass spectrometry to characterise novel adduction sites
in the Nrf2 co-regulator Keap1. Next day I was hosted by the
genial Dr Andy Smith at the MRC Toxicology Unit in Leicester. After helpfully
reviewing the history and role of the MRC Unit, Dr Smith discussed his work
on heme metabolism as a marker of toxicity before leading me on a tour of the
research capabilities at the MRC Unit. This included a survey of the mass spectrometry
facility by Dr Kelvin Cain, who discussed his use of shotgun peptide
sequencing to characterise membrane protein expression in leukemia cells.
Next Dr Tim Gant discussed their studies of transcriptional responses to
arylating and prooxidant quinones, before demonstrating the operation of
their new high throughput microarray printer. After a lunch of roast beef and
Yorkshire pudding I presented my talk to an engaging audience. Thursday April 8 involved a nice
change of scenery from an academic to a contract research setting since I was
hosted by Dr Lesley Earl, Chief Toxicologist at Huntingdon Life Sciences
(HLS). Dr Earl kindly provided a helpful organisational and operational
overview of HLS that highlighted the vital role of toxicology within the
services provided by the Company. I was then taken on an interesting tour of
the mini-pig facility and the safety pharmacology laboratories. Following
lunch with a group of HLS researchers I presented my talk to a good-sized
group of attentive researchers and research assistants. The following day I was back in
London for a visit to the Hammersmith Campus of Imperial College. My visit
was kindly hosted by Prof Alan Boobis, who had arranged a stimulating series
of meetings with various researchers. These included visits with Martin
Wilkins, Professor of Clinical Pharmacology and Head of Experimental Medicine
& Toxicology, and Dr Rob Edwards who gave me a tour of the Toxicology
Section proteomics facility and explained their use of mass spectrometry to
profile the effect of xenobiotics on protein profiles. Next Dr Hazel Jones educated me in the use
of positron emission tomography to image tissue responses during inflammatory
disease. After lunch I spent an engaging session with Ehi Idahosa and
colleagues in the Department of Health Toxicology Unit, a unit coordinated by
Prof Boobis that provides toxicological reviews to various government
agencies in the UK. Dr Helen Rippon then surveyed her work on embryonic stem
cells and their potential applications before Prof. Stephan Grimm provided me
with a fascinating overview of their use of robotic systems to perform
functional genetic screens in a search for novel cell death genes. My final
talk for the day was with Prof. Nigel Gooderham who discussed his work on the
molecular toxicological characterisation of the food constituent eugenol and
related compounds. The visit concluded with my seminar which again attracted
a lively audience with plenty of discussion. In the evening, Don Davies,
Emeritus Professor of Pharmacology at Imperial College, kindly hosted a grand
meal at the Athenaeum, a traditional London club frequented by over-achievers
in British science and medicine. Saturday provided some welcome
free time and allowed me to spend the day visiting the British Museum. On
Sunday afternoon I caught the train to Guilford to participate in the Annual
Congress of the British Toxicology Society, held on the campus of the
University of Surrey. It was a pleasure to present the ASCEPT Lecture that
evening, with my talk entitled “New
insights into the chemical and molecular basis for acrolein toxicity,”
and to receive a commemorative plaque from the BTS President Prof. Gay
Hawksworth. My talk led to a number of helpful conversations with several
researchers. The remainder of the conference was very enjoyable, and I
particularly appreciated symposia on the role of p53 in health and disease;
chemical interactions and risk assessment; and challenges in male
reproductive toxicology. The Barnes Lecture by Prof. Davies reviewing 40
years of research on paracetamol hepatotoxicity was a further highlight of
the meeting. Moreover I was especially impressed by the high standard of
student presentations in both the oral and poster sessions. Following the BTS Congress, on Wednesday
April 18 I made an unplanned visit to the toxicology laboratories of British
American Tobacco in Southampton, at the invitation of chief toxicologist Dr
Eian Massey. Given that a major interest in our lab is the identification of
new drug-based therapies for smoke inhalation injury, it was good to see
demonstrations of modern technologies used at BAT during evaluation of the
toxicological properties of tobacco smoke. An air-liquid interface chamber
developed at BAT to allow exposure of cultured lung epithelial cells to
actual smoke (rather than condensates or liquid extracts) was of particular
interest. For the final leg of my journey
I caught a train to Cardiff in order to visit the labs of Drs Kelly BeRube
and Tim Jones at the University of Cardiff. It was good to renew
acquaintances with Kelly (she visited Perth in her capacity as the BTS
visitor to ASCEPT in 2006) and discuss future and ongoing research
collaborations within the context of toxicological assessment of air quality.
Meetings with postdocs and PhD students in the Berube lab provided a valuable
insight into the use of cultured human bronchial epithelial cells as an
alternative to immortalised cell lines as models of human lung epithelia.
Next day, Dr Jones showed me the analytical and electron microscopy
instrumentation they use to characterise the morphology of nano- and
micro-sized air particles. I was also impressed by the air monitoring van
used by the group to perform air assessment on real time samples collected at
sites of concern around the UK. Concluding Thoughts: I am very
grateful to ASCEPT and the BTS for their financial support that allowed me to
serve as the ASCEPT Visitor to the BTS this year. The opportunity to visit a
number of research centres and meet new scientific colleagues was extremely
worthwhile, as was participation in the BTS Congress. I am especially
grateful to the hosts at each institution who accommodated me in such a
friendly and thoughtful manner at all times. Perhaps the only downside to the trip in my mind was that it
reinforced the growing gulf between the resources and research infrastructure
available to international researchers and those of us who endeavour to
maintain a research presence for toxicology and pharmacology within teaching
departments in Australian universities. It is regrettable that few
individuals in positions of leadership in Australian universities appear to
appreciate the gravity of this worsening situation. |
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SPONSORSHIP FOR PHARMACOLOGY/TOXICOLOGY SEMINAR SERIES ASCEPT is offering
sponsorship for pharmacology seminar series. As announced at the
2006 AGM, ASCEPT would offer an incentive to departments to encourage or
invite members to present. Once there are
eligible 5 members within an institution, the institute will be able to apply
for $500 for use in their seminar program. The seminars must have the ASCEPT
logo appear at the start and end of the seminar, by using a PowerPoint slide
provided by the Secretariat and have membership brochures provided available
on the day. Up to 10 members from each institute may apply with a maximum of
$1000 available. ASCEPT will advertise the seminar programs on the ASCEPT
website/e-news. The Institute should nominate a contact person. They can be
student or full members, but their fees must have been paid for 2007. Please click here and complete the form. |
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JOINT
SEAWP – ASCEPT MEETING 2007
On behalf of the Southeast Asian Western Pacific (SEAWP) Regional
Federation of Pharmacologists and the Australasian Society of Clinical and
Experimental Pharmacologists and Toxicologists (ASCEPT), we would like to
invite you to participate in the combined Scientific Meeting of the two
societies. For further
information please click here. Please mark these three key dates into your
diaries! September 12 - Abstract deadline October 5 - Accommodation bookings close October 31 - Early bird
registrations close ASCEPT Scientific Advisory Committee, Chair
Principal Sponsor of the joint SEAWP –
ASCEPT Meeting 2007 |
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ASCEPT SYMPOSIUM:
GLUTAMATE IN THE VINEYARDS, JULY 8-10, 2007 An International
Conference on the Neuropharmacology of Glutamate. The conference will be held
at the Hunter Valley Resort in the picturesque Hunter Valley, North of
Sydney, immediately prior to the 2007
IBRO Meeting in Melbourne. The program includes sessions on: Glutamate
Transporters, Metabotropic Receptors, Glutamate Metabolism, Learning and
Memory, Glutamate and Schizophrenia, Glutamate and Disease. The program will
include talks by invited speakers as well as submitted talks and posters. For
more information please click here. Rob Vandenberg |
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SURVEY ON
PHARMACEUTICAL/ BIOTECH INDUSTRY SKILLS AND WORKFORCE NEEDS The
Pharmaceuticals Education Council invites your organisation to participate in
this survey about the skills gaps and workforce needs for the pharmaceutical
and biotech industry in Australia. The survey is being run to a tight
timetable and we would appreciate it if you would return this completed to
us, by Friday 1st June. Please complete the sections applicable to your
role and submit the survey. It would strengthen the survey's results if
you would forward this to other individuals who may be able to contribute. We
appreciate your assistance in this regard.
If you
are unable to click on the link please copy and paste the website address
into your web browser. |
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QUESTIONNAIRE:
'SCIENTISTS AND SCIENCE COMMUNICATION IN AUSTRALIA'
I would
be grateful if your society could support a study into science and science
communication being undertaken by Suzette Steel –a PhD candidate at ANU’s
National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science – by forwarding this
e-mail to your membership.
http://info.anu.edu.au/CPAS/012PP_Research_Projects/_scientists_poll.asp Executive
Director Federation
of Australian Scientific and Technological Societies |
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AUSBIOTECH EVENTS Victorian Events
Tuesday
May 22 2007 AusBiotech Students Association Careers
Night
This is
a great opportunity to kick-start your career in biotechnology. The
AusBiotech Students Association (ABSA) is a special interest group of
AusBiotech targeted to assist and incorporate students into the Australian
biotechnology industry. It is a not-for-profit association that aims to
provide students with skills which they may not receive during their
university course and provide an opportunity to network with leaders in the
industry. After much success in New South Wales, Queensland
and South Australia, ABSA is being launched in Victoria. The careers night
will provide an insight into various biotechnology careers and industry guest
speakers will share their paths to success. Time:
7: 00pm - 9: 00pm Venue:
AusBiotech Level 1, 322 Glenferrie Road, Malvern For more information please click here. Diary Notice BioForum '07 - Shaping the Future
August
16 & 17 2007 BioForum '07 will
bring together members from AusBiotech and the Victorian and National biotech
community who are passionate about the future and well being of our
biotechnology sector. BioForum
'07 will provide the opportunity to get together with colleagues and other
key biotechnology stakeholders including, innovators, service providers,
capital investors, and Government representatives - not to mention the
exceptional conference speaker panel and the enjoyment associated with a
venue such as Four Points, Sheraton Geelong. For more information please click here. |
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GOVERNANCE REVIEW IMPLEMENTATION (SCIENCE
RESEARCH AGENCIES) BILL 2007
On the 28th of
March while we were all swanning around Parliament House for Science meets Parliament
the Government introduced the Governance Review Implementation (Science
Research Agencies) Bill 2007. This
legislation is yet to be debated but I expect it will pass with no adverse
comments or delay, probably in late June. This Bill
implements the Uhrig review recommendations on corporate governance of
government agencies. As some of you will recall the Uhrig report argued that
agencies should have a Board when there were good reasons (eg commercial
operations) for a devolved - arms length relationship with Government or a
CEO model when Ministers have more direct responsibility for decisions and
the CEO reports directly to the Minister. Last year the Government passed
legislation adopting the CEO model for the ARC - and consequently the ARC
Board was disestablished. This
Bill adopts the Board model for the three science agencies in the DEST
portfolio - CSIRO, ANSTO and AIMS. In FASTS view the Government has made the
obviously correct decision to adopt this approach. Amendments to the
governance arrangements of AIMS The Bill will amend the AIMS Act to enable
the Council to appoint and remove the Chief Executive Officer, who is
currently appointed by the Governor-General. Consequential
amendments will ensure the legislation is consistent with this change
including provisions relating to termination of appointment of the CEO and
requiring the CEO to make a declaration of interests to the Council. The
Bill removes the current requirement for the Minister to approve contracts
for expenditure above a given amount value (currently $1 million) and this
will be replaced by a requirement, set out in the Minister's annual Statement
of Expectations, that the Minister is notified in advance of AIMS entering
into significant contracts. (Similar amendments are also made for ANSTO ($5m
threshold) and CSIRO (significant contracts). Amendments to the
governance arrangements of ANSTO Minimal changes required - amends the
current ANSTO Act to specify a Board of 6 – 9 people including the CEO (Currently
the Board is the Executive Director and no less than 2 and no more than 6
members). The current 'Executive Director" nomenclature will be changed
to CEO. Amendments
to Governance arrangements for CSIRO Amends the Science and Industry Research
Act 1949 (effectively the CSIRO Act) to enable the Board to appoint and
remove the Chief Executive, who is currently appointed by the
Governor-General (read Cabinet) - although the Board is required to consult
with the Minister before making an appointment. As per
AIMS there will be consequential changes relating to CEO conflict of
interest, termination etc In
recognition of the increased responsibilities and workload of the Chairperson
of CSIRO, a position of Deputy Chairperson has been created (ANSTO already has
a position of Deputy Chairperson). The Act
will also be amended to make explicit that the Board may delegate any or all
of its powers. ASMR Federal
Budget Reply MEDIA RELEASE - Sydney, Tuesday 8 May, 2007 Investment in Health and Medical Research strengthens Australian
innovation potential and strengthens capacity to respond to the nations
health needs. The Australian Society for Medical Research (ASMR), the nation's peak
body representing health and medical researchers, congratulates the Federal
Government’s recognition of the outstanding value of supporting Australian
health and medical research by further boosting investment in tonight's
Budget. "The returns of investing in health and medical research (HMR) in
social and economic terms are indisputable", ASMR President Associate
Professor Maria Kavallaris said. "We applaud investment in physical
infrastructure and capital for Australian medical research facilities” “New spending of over $500 million in HMR is a strategic investment
and will allow Australian researchers to develop and expand on advances in
knowledge for improved health and economic benefits". “Funding to address major public health issues including childhood
obesity, type II diabetes and indigenous health will have positive benefits
for future generations.” “The Federal Government’s vision to strengthen investment in HMR
reflects the significant contributions and benefits Australian research
returns to the community. Infrastructure support is an essential element in
the successful mix to give Australian researchers the competitive edge by
providing access to cutting-edge facilities and resources.” “The ASMR applauds the Federal Government on establishing an endowment
fund to higher education, which is the pillar that underpins health and
medical research and other sciences.” “Long term sustainable funding is required in HMR to ensure that
Australian research continues to be globally competitive and addresses future
health needs of all Australians.” Associate Professor Maria Kavallaris ASMR President |
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AUSTRALIAN MEDICINES HANDBOOK ASCEPT Members can save up to $77 when they buy AHM, the
independent medicines reference preferred by Australian health professionals. Australian
Medicines Handbook has become the preferred independent, evidence-based
medicines reference for Australian health professionals. The
print version of our 2006 edition went to a second printing less than six
months after its release – and still sold out in record time. AMH has
tens of thousands of users throughout the health-case system, including
pharmacies, medical practices, hospitals, aged care facilities, universities
(including medicine, pharmacy and nursing facilities) and a wide range of
health professionals with an interest in the Quality Use of Medicines. Our
independence provides assurance in an uncertain world. AMH has no
advertising, sponsorship or editorial input from drug manufacturers or any
other commercial organisations. Our
editorial staff, reviewers and Editorial Advisory Board members are all
Australia-based pharmacists, medical practitioners, scientists, researchers
and academics. AMH
includes information on drug classes, as well as individual drug monographs
containing new/revised evidence and comparative data covering indications,
dosage information, formulations, adverse effects, practice points, special
populations, etc. The appendices include a substantial drug interactions
guide. AMH is a joint project of the Australasian Society of Clinical
and Experimental Pharmacologists and Toxicologists (ASCEPT), the
Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) and the Royal Australian College of
General Practitioners (RACGP). Please
visit www.amh.net.au
or email amh@amh.net.au
to order. |
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FORTHCOMING CONFERENCES Please
click here for a list of meetings that may be of interest to
members. These are displayed on the ASCEPT website. ASCEPT Meetings Joint SEAWP:
ASCEPT Meeting 2007, 3-6 December 2007, Adelaide ASCEPT symposium: Glutamate in the
Vineyards, July 8-10, 2007 8th International ISSX Meeting, 9-12 October 2007, Japan 14th
International Congress on Cardiovascular Pharmacotherapy, 28 November – 2
December, Turkey Generic Medicines
Australia, 15-17 May 2007, Amora Jamison, Sydney IBRO World Congress of
Neuroscience, 12-17 July 2007, Melbourne Third International Clinical Trials
Symposium, 23 – 26 September 2007, Sydney |
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NEWS FROM OTHER ORGANISATIONS Please
click on the relevant links for any news from other organisations that may be
of interest to ASCEPT members. AusBiotech BioTechnology –
Newsletter May 2007, volume 2 Intermediary
Access Program opportunity Australian Society for Medical Research (ASMR)
2007 Federal
Budget, Media Release, Sydney, Tuesday 8 May, 2007 Federation of Australian
Scientific and Technological Societies (FASTS) RQF Panels and
call for nominees FASTS
of which ASCEPT is a member society, has prepared a response to the Higher
Education Legislation Amendment (2007 Measures No.1) Bill 2007, which has
implications for higher education, research funding and research quality
framework. Please click here
to view the response. NPS RACP
Subscribe to Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and
Physiology (CEPP): When
renewing your ASCEPT membership, why not take up the discounted subscription
to CEPP for regular updates on the results of clinical and experimental work
from around the world. For more information on CEPP click here. To renew or subscribe, contact ascept@meetingsfirst.com.au.
BioAustralis Fine Chemicals: Your supplier of rare microbial metabolites for
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laboratories in stock now; competitively priced. Go to www.bioaustralis.com
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POSITIONS VACANT Looking for a new job? Listed below
is a position currently vacant that you may be eligible to apply for. Please
click on the link for jobs you’re interested in. Lecturer/Senior Lecturer
Pharmacology, RMIT University. Applications close 23 May 2007 Lecturer/Senior Lecturer Pharmacology, James Cook
University. Applications close 1 June 2007 University of
Newcastle positions, Applications close 18 May 2007 Senior Lecturer in
Clinical Pharmacology and General Medicine, School of Medicine and Public
Health. Senior Lecturer in
Clinical Pharmacology, School of Medicine and Public Health. Senior Lecturer/Lecturer in
Communication (2 Positions), Faculty of Science and Information Technology. |
INFORMATION FROM PREVIOUS ISSUESPlease click here for more news, jobs and information that have appeared in past
issues of the ASCEPT newsletter that are now displayed on our ASCEPT website. |
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The next E-News will be sent
out on Friday 15 June 2007. If there is information you would like to
include, please email it to athina@meetingsfirst.com.au by Monday 11 May 2007.
ASCEPT Newsletter Editor
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Please do not hesitate to
contact Meetings First, our ASCEPT Secretariat, if you have any
queries: Angela, Athina and Jennifer Phone +61
3 9739 7697 Fax +61
3 9739 7076 Email ascept@meetingsfirst.com.au
Web www.ascept.org |
