ASCEPT June E-news 2009
In this issue:
June E-Newsletter
of the Australasian Society of Clinical and Experimental Pharmacologists and Toxicologists
Welcome to the June ASCEPT eNewsletter.
If any would like to contribute any items to eNews, please send it along to Meetings First for consideration.
Roselyn Rose'Meyer
ASCEPT Newsletter Editor
ASCEPT 2009 Annual Scientific Meeting
The 43rd ASCEPT Annual Scientific Meeting will be held at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour, November 29 - December 2, 2009.
The theme of the meeting is the "The Rights of Medicines", with sub-themes of "The Right Drug, The Right Patient, The Right Dose and the Right Result" woven into each of the symposia. Distinguished plenary speakers include Professor Shuh Narumiya, the Japanese Pharmacological Society Lecture, in addition to the Rand Anglo-Australian visitor and the Rand medallist.
The program includes 8 symposia and 2 workshops that feature high quality speakers and 'cutting edge' science. In addition to the invited presentations, there will be time for free communications (oral and poster). More details will be provided later.
Please note the following deadlines for registration and abstract submissions.
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Abstract submission deadline
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September 1, 2009
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Early Bird Registration deadline
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October 20, 2009
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Abstracts and Registrations will be open soon and an individual email will be sent to each ASCEPT member regarding further details on how to register and submit an abstract.
Note - other ASCEPT related meetings will be held before the Annual Scientific Meeting - details to follow!
AHMRC 2010
Following considerable discussion with members of ASCEPT through the special interest groups, ASCEPT Council has decided not to proceed with an expression of interest to attend the AHMRC 2010 meeting. Please click here to view my letter to Rosemary Keogh, AHMRC. Of primary concern to Council was the notable difference in ASCEPT member attendance numbers for annual meetings held in conjunction and not in conjunction with AHMRC meetings. Approximately half the number of ASCEPT members have attended AHMRC meetings (2002, 2006, 2008) compared with alternate ASCEPT meetings. The reasons identified for the discrepancy include the November timing of AHMRC meetings, compared to early December timing for regular ASCEPT meetings and the consequences of a longer meeting time required for AHMRC. ASCEPT will continue to address these issues through direct consultation with the organizers of AHMRC with the hope of attending the 2012 AHMRC meeting.
Peter Molenaar
Secretary
ASCEPT Travel Award Reports
Michael De Silva
Owing to the generosity of ASCEPT in providing me with an International Travel Award, I was able to attend and present at Experimental Biology 2009 in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA (April 18th - 22nd).
The conference attracted numerous internationally renowned scientists in the field of cerebrovascular and cardiovascular research and the presentations I attended by these researchers were both interesting and stimulating. Several of the sessions I attended discussed the role of reactive oxygen species and the immune system in the pathogenesis of vascular diseases such as hypertension and atherosclerosis. I found these sessions to be of particular interest as they were most closely related to my current research. Not surprisingly I came away with many new ideas, which I plan to pursue as part of my PhD studies. Two of the presentations were particularly interesting and are briefly summarized below.
Role of Vascular T cell Infiltration in Mediating Hypertension - Dr David Harrison
Dr. Harrison presented an elegant paper demonstrating a key relationship between T lymphocytes, angiotensin II and reactive oxygen species in the development of hypertension. The main point I came away from this presentation was that T lymphocytes might play a key role in promoting endothelial dysfunction via the production of reactive oxygen species. This is of particular interest as I am currently investigating the role of NADPH-oxidase -derived reactive oxygen species and the immune system in cerebral endothelial dysfunction during hypercholesterolemia.
Mechanisms and Consequences of Inflammatory Cell Interactions within the Microvasculature - Dr Neil Granger
Dr. Granger presented a very interesting lecture discussing the detrimental effects of hypercholesterolemia on the microvasculature. In particular, Dr. Granger presented data showing that hypercholesterolemia increases the expression of adhesions molecules on endothelial cells leading to increased immune cell adhesion and infiltration, and a pro-thrombogenic state. Dr. Granger also showed that a lack of AT1 receptors on leukocytes leads to a reduction in cell infiltration into the vasculature. This presentation was particularly interesting as it stimulated a number of ideas that I plan to pursue in my future PhD studies.
The International Travel Grant also allowed me to present my research as a poster communication in the American Society of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics (ASPET) Cardiovascular Division Best Abstract Competition, which took place on the Sunday night of the conference. I presented a poster titled "Gender Influences Cerebral Vascular Responses to Angiotensin II via Nox2-Derived Reactive Oxygen Species and Rho-Kinase". I received many positive and useful comments, and was awarded second place in the competition. On the following day I attended the ASPET Student Mixer, which provided me with an excellent opportunity to meet other young scientists in a relaxed setting.
Overall, I am immensely grateful to ASCEPT for providing myself with an International Travel Grant to attend this conference and of course to take part in the ASPET Cardiovascular Division Best Abstract Poster competition. Without the funding from ASCEPT my attendance would not have been possible. Thank you.
Janahan Dharmarajah
I would firstly like to take this opportunity to thank ASCEPT for their generous support in awarding me an ASCEPT Travel Award to help fund my attendance at the 2009 Experimental Biology Conference in New Orleans, USA. The conference was an invaluable experience which provided me with new insights and directions for my own research and career path.
We arrived in New Orleans on the 16th of April where we needed a day or two to recover from our extensive flight! On Friday the 17th of April we attended the Ernest N. Morial Convention Centre in the heart of the CBD to officially register. The conference centre was a lot larger than expected and well facilitated for an international conference such as EB. It was only a sign of things to come with the next day being the first official day of the conference.
The next day delegates covered the floors (later I was told up to 10, 000 attended) rushing from session to session. Myself and my fellow peers had each highlighted several sessions that we wanted to attend during the course of the day. I was attracted to the 'Career Development' work-shops which comprised of several speakers who were linked to industrial and bio-tech positions. On the first day I attended a session run by the enigmatic Ron Howard, who was giving us advice on how to network and meet people. I will never forget to 'keep the drinking glass half full' so you always have an excuse to leave a conversation or draw someone else for a top-up! Other sessions I attended included: "Beyond the Bench.Preparing for Your Career Transition in the Life Sciences" and "Interviewing Tips: Winning that Next Job!"
I was due to present my poster titled: "Apocynin is not a scavenger of NAPDH oxidase in platelets" on Sunday the 19th of April. After attending a couple of early sessions, I headed to one of the conference halls where I was one of literally a thousand other posters across a wide variety of sciences. I was placed within the 'Coagulation and Thrombosis' posters situated on the far left of the exhibit hall. I was pleased that when it came for me to present I had a couple of people who were interested in my work. One worked at the University Of Virginia and had also completed work related to NADPH oxidase in platelets. I also spoke to Associate Professor John Kermode whose work involves thromboxane A2, ADP and their relationship with von Willebrand factor. Here I was able to obtain valuable advice on using aspirin as an inhibitor of cycloxygenase rather than indomethacin in platelets.
However, the highlight of the conference for me was the symposium titled "The Evolution of Creationism." The debate came into fray a few years ago when a Kansas school board voted to adopt new science standards casting a doubt on Charles Darwin's theory of evolution. In addition voters in Dover, Pennsylvania decided that the school board would back a statement requiring intelligent design be taught in classrooms. Later on that year federal judge, John E Jones, gave the historic verdict that "Intelligent design is not science" and "the schools' district promotion of it violates the constitution." Judge Jones unfortunately could not attend but we heard excerpts from him to get an idea of his persona. Several other speakers then presented their arguments against the intelligent design theory. It was certainly very interesting and enough to stir a debate even amongst the most conservative!
I also attended several other sessions relating to my work which included: "Modulation of Endothelial Function by NADPH Oxidase" and "Regulation of Leukocyte Migration and Activation in Models of Inflammation."
All in all attending the Experimental Biology conference was a great experience for me. Not only was I able to gain insights into my research but also career advice as well. In addition, I was able to network with several other delegates and exchange ideas which I was encouraged to do before attending. Of course the conference being held in a cultural city full of life such as New Orleans was a bonus and an experience I will always remember. Once again thank you ASCEPT for giving me the opportunity to attend such a conference!
Sonja Tesanovic
I have returned to Australia on the 21st May 2009, and would firstly like to thank the Australasian Society of Clinical and Experimental Pharmacologists and Toxicologists (ASCEPT) for your financial support that allowed me to attend the Experimental Biology meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana, from the 18th until the 22nd April, the Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology Annual Conference in Washington, D.C. from the 29th of April until the 1st of May, and the King's British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence Symposium in London, UK, on the 11th of May, 2009. All of the conferences were a huge success where a huge number of delegates attended the meeting.
This was my first international conference during my PhD candidature and I felt privileged to be a part these meetings that were regarded so highly by scientists from all over the world. With such a large attendance, and numerous experts specifically in the cardiovascular field, it provided the most up to date scientific knowledge with state of the art lectures, topical workshops, satellite symposiums as well as poster and oral sessions on a wide variety of current cardiovascular topics. Of particular interest to me, were seminars presented by Dr Qingbo Xu and Dr Lawrence Chan, as well as meeting with Professor Alan Daugherty and Professor Ajay Shah which provided new ideas and approaches to my research.
Presentation of my posters entitled "Vaso- and Athero- protective effects of non-AT1 receptors in apolipoprotein-E deficient mice" and "Vaso- and Athero- protective effects of Angiotensin (1-7) and CGP 42112 in apolipoprotein-E deficient mice" were very well received, and I am grateful for the invaluable experience I gained from presenting my current findings to a large audience who are experts in this field.
This conference has allowed me to network among potential international collaborators and to discuss possible post doctoral opportunities following completion of my PhD. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to be a part of such a prestigious scientific meetings and I am pleased to report that this experience has led to new ideas and future studies that I aim to complete. I would like to thank the ASCEPT again for providing financial assistance that made this trip possible.
2nd Education Special Interest Group Workshop
We are delighted to announce that registrations for the second ASCEPT Education Special Interest Group Workshop are now officially open on-line and via paper form.
This meeting will be focus on how pharmacology is currently being taught and how we can enhance the quality of our graduates in all courses. It will be held in the Equinox Room, Union House, University of Adelaide, South Australia on Friday July 10, 2009.
Meeting Information
This one day ASCEPT Education SIG workshop "Ensuring Quality Graduates of Pharmacology - Addressing Workplace needs" will provide a report of the outcomes of the ALTC project (Ensuring Quality Graduates of Pharmacology) and open discussion about how we can take these findings further to enhance the teaching and learning of pharmacology in Australian tertiary institutions. Please click here for a draft program.
Please spread the news about this workshop to your colleagues, to encourage participation and help make this workshop a success!
Registration
You can register for this Meeting either via the Internet or by the paper registration form.
7CTDC Travel Awards for Meeting in South Africa, September 2009
IUTOX and TOXSA announce the availability of travel awards to attend the 7th Congress of Toxicology in Developing Countries in Sun City, South Africa on September 6-10, 2009. Applicants may be either junior or senior scientists, reside in countries where toxicology is underrepresented, and have an active research program or currently be active in the practice of toxicology.
Please click here to view a flyer and application with eligibility requirements. Please share this information with colleagues in your workplace or at your university, and other interested parties. Applications are due by June 30, 2009, and awardees will be notified in mid-July. Since IUTOX is administering this awards program, candidates may direct their questions to iutoxhq@iutox.org.
Thank you for your assistance in getting the word out about this exceptional opportunity. We want to ensure that as many eligible scientists as possible may take advantage of the funding to attend this important meeting.
Foundation for High Blood Pressure Research
2010 - 2011 Postdoctoral Research Fellowship
The Foundation is offering a two-year postdoctoral fellowship for a research project in hypertension or related fields in basic, clinical or public health areas at an Australian institution. Applications from biomedical, clinical and public health researchers are invited.
Applications are open to Australian citizens or permanent residents.
It is expected that the successful applicant will have had not less than five and not more than ten years' postdoctoral experience. The fellowship provides a salary and modest project maintenance costs.
2010 ISH Visiting Postdoctoral Award
The ISH Visiting Postdoctoral Award has been designed to encourage experienced researchers from countries other than Australia to work in Australia for up to two years on a specific research project in hypertension or a related field in basic, clinical or public health areas.
The ISH Visiting Postdoctoral Award will be awarded to an Australian research institution, as a contribution towards the salary of a postdoctoral researcher who is not an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
Application Procedures
For information on how to apply please contact:
FHBPR Secretariat
Department of Physiology
University of Melbourne
Parkville 3010
Victoria. Australia
Email: jkelly@unimelb.edu.au
Applications close on Friday 28 August 2009
The BJCP Young Investigator Prize
The British Pharmacological Society (BPS) will award an annual prize of £1000, a certificate and 1-year honorary BPS membership for the best paper by a trainee published in the print version of BJCP during a calendar year. Those eligible will be clinical trainees (of whatever specialty), or basic scientists in training registered for a PhD (or equivalent). On acceptance of a manuscript the authors will automatically, as part of the Manuscript Central system, be sent a reminder about the BJCP prize and will be invited to fill in an application form, giving information about the provenance of the work and the precise role played by the potential award-winner. The judges will be the editors of the Journal, but they may call for expert assistance in making their decision, which will be final. Andrew Somogyi (BJCP- Australasian Editor)
News from other organisations
Please click on the relevant links for any news from other organisations that may be of interest to ASCEPT members.
Federation of Australian Scientific and Technological Societies (FASTS)
Budget media release (14 May 2009)
Life Sciences Research Awards - Round Three now open (14 May 2009)
Royal Society of New Zealand
Alert 574: 4 June 2009
Alert 573: 28 May 2009
Alert 571: 14 May 2009
BPS Pharmacology Matters e-Bulletin
June
The next e-news will be sent out on Friday 17 July 2009. If there is information you would like to include, please email it to athina@meetingsfirst.com.au by Friday 10 July 2009.
Roselyn Rose'Meyer
ASCEPT Newsletter Editor