ICE 2010

The 14th International Congress of Endocrinology (ICE 2010) will be held in Kyoto, Japan on 26-30 March 2010. ICE 2010 Kyoto is the new style of ICE under the new statutes of the International Society of Endocrinology (ISE). As the host society, the Japan Endocrine Society is planning to organise an outstanding congress on endocrinology and metabolism in science that will also foster international friendship. Twelve official satellite symposia are also planned before and after the main congress in Kyoto and other cities. Registration is now open at the website below; the early bird deadline is 31 October 2009.

ICE 2010

Young Active Research

The 11th Annual Meeting of Young Active Research (YAR) will be held on 2-4 October 2009 in Munich, Germany. The YAR initiative was founded during the annual meeting of the German Endocrine Society (DGE) in 1999 and aims to increase the mutual exchange between young scientists working in the field of endocrinology. Further information and a registration form can be found at the links below.

YAR website

Registration form

European Journal of Endocrinology Prize 2010

The European Journal of Endocrinology Prize is awarded during the European Congress of Endocrinology to a candidate who has significantly contributed to the advancement of knowledge in the field of endocrinology through publication. The prize consists of a certificate and Euro 7,250 plus traveling expenses and will be presented during the annual European Congress of Endocrinology. The recipient of the Prize will be expected to give a lecture on the relevant research during the Congress and also to write a review paper to be published in the European Journal of Endocrinology.

Nominations for the prize are invited from individuals or groups. The candidate must be less than 45 years of age on 1 January (of the congress year) and be permanently resident in Europe. Self-nominations will not be accepted. Nominations should include: (1) seven copies of a statement of no more than 1000 words in English defining the way in which the candidate’s published contributions have furthered knowledge in the field of endocrinology; (2) seven copies of each of no more than eight relevant publications; and (3) seven copies of a curriculum vitae of the candidate, including a complete bibliography. Nominations should be submitted to the Editor-in-Chief of the European Journal of Endocrinology, Professor Christian Strasburger, by 31 December 2009. Please contact gabriele.schillinger@charite.de or christian.strasburger@charite.de for further information.

EJE Prize

EJE website

Geoffrey Harris Prize 2010

The European Society of Endocrinology is pleased to announce the annual Geoffrey Harris Prize. This prestigious prize for neuroendocrinologists is worth 12,000 Euro and is generously sponsored by Ipsen. The prize will be presented at the annual European Congress of Endocrinology, where the winner will be asked to give one of the main lectures, in addition to two other lectures at future ESE scientific meetings.

Nominations can be made by any scientific organisation or administrative group, but self-proposal is not allowed. Seven hard copies of the files containing the letter of support and CV, list of publications and merits of the candidates should be sent to: Professor Philippe Bouchard, Service d’Endocrinologie, Hôpital Saint Antoine, 184 rue du Faubourg Saint Antoine, 75012 Paris, France, email: philippe.bouchard@sat.ap-hop-paris.fr, by 31 December 2009.

Geoffrey Harris Prize

ECE 2010 - Abstract submission open

The 12th European Congress of Endocrinology (ECE 2010) will be held in Prague, Czech Republic on 24-28 April 2010. Abstract submission for this meeting is now open - click on the link below for further details. Abstracts will be accepted until the closing deadline of 8 January 2010.

The programme overview is now available to download from the link below. Early registration rates are available until 12 March 2010. For further information please visit the ECE 2010 website below. We look forward to seeing you in Prague.

ECE 2010

Scientists pinpoint protein link to fat storage (Science Daily, 18 September 2009)

Scientists in Edinburgh, UK have increased our understanding of how the body stores fat. Their study, which focuses on a protein called invadolysin could help to explain obesity-related complications such as diabetes.

Full article

Complication risk for older mums (BBC news online, 16 September 2009)

A UK study has shown that women who start menstruation early are at an increased risk of complications during labour if they delay having children. Scientists think longer exposure to oestrogen and progesterone may be to blame as these hormones affect the way the uterus contracts.

Full article

Men with long ringer fingers more likely to be bad drivers (Daily Mail, 10 September 2009)

A study from the University of Mainz, Germany has shown that men with long fingers are more likely to be dangerous drivers. These effects could be programmed from birth, as finger length has been linked to testosterone exposure in the womb.

Full article

Patients denied osteoporosis drug (The Guardian, 8 September 2009)

Professor David Reid (University of Aberdeen) has raised concerns over the licensing of osteoporosis drugs by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE). Professor Reid delivered a lecture on the treatment of osteoporosis during the British Science Festival at an event organised by the Society for Endocrinology and National Osteoporosis Society.

Full article

Tamoxifen link to second tumours (BBC news online, 25 August 2009)

A side effect of Tamoxifen, used effectively to treat oestrogen-sensitive breast tumours has been revealed. A study shows the drug increases the risk of a rarer oestrogen-insensitive tumour developing in the opposite breast.

Full article

Fasting insulin as a measure of insulin resistance

The most effective technique to assess insulin sensitivity is the hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp, but this is time-consuming, expensive and stressful to patients. While fasting insulin concentrations are often used as an alternative measurement, there is some evidence that fasting hyperinsulinemia may itself cause cardiometabolic disease. This study by de Rooij et al. aimed to distinguish between the relative contributions of fasting insulin and insulin resistance to cardiometabolic risk and preclinical atherosclerosis. The investigators used participants from the Relationship between Insulin Sensitivity and Cardiovascular (RISC) disease study cohort of 1326 European, non-diabetic, healthy men and women and performed oral glucose tolerance tests and hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamps. Cardiometabolic risk was assessed by the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in 1177 participants and carotid artery intima media thickness measured by ultrasound.

Fasting insulin, a test often used for its simplicity and practicality, was found to have a stronger association with cardiometabolic risk and atherosclerosis in this healthy population than with hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp derived insulin sensitivity. de Rooij, S.R., Dekker, J.M., Kozakova, M., Mitrakou, A., Melander, O., Gabriel, R., Guidone, C., Højlund, K., Murphy, M.S., Nijpels, G., and the RISC Group Investigators. Fasting insulin has a stronger association with an adverse cardiometabolic risk profile than insulin resistance: the RISC study. European Journal of Endocrinology 161 223-230, DOI: 10.1530/EJE-09-0058

Projects available in 'Hormonal Regulation of Body Weight Maintenance'

The following positions are available in the newly established DFG-funded Clinical Research Group KFO218, Charité Berlin, DifE Potsdam-Rehbrücke, MDC Berlin-Buch. If you are interested in any of these posts, please apply as soon as possible using the contact details below.

Z Project: 'Randomized controlled trial of a multimodal lifestyle intervention on weight maintenance in adults and children' Prof. J. Spranger (Charité, Abteilung f. Endokrinologie, Diabetes und Ernährung) and Prof. H. Krude (Charité, Institut für Pädiatrische Experimentelle Endokrinologie, CVK). The following positions are available: 1 Nutritional Scientist (TV-L E13); 1 Nutritionist (TV-L E9); 2 Technicians MTA (TV-L E9); 1 Study Nurse (TV-L E9); 1 PhD Student (Life Sciences, 1/2 BAT-IIA, TV-L E13/2); 1 Statistician/Biomathematician PhD Student (1/2 BAT-IIA, TV-L E13/2). These positions (in the Z-Project) are available for 2 years and may be prolonged. Contact: Tel.: +49-30-8445-2287 bzw. +49-30-8445-3317, Email: initiative.adipositas@charite.de. Further details.

Project 1: 'The role of adipose tissue estrogen receptors during body weight loss and the maintenance of reduced weight' Prof. U Kintscher (Charité, Center for Cardiovascular Research, CCM): 1 Post-Doctoral Position (TV-L E13).

Project 2: 'Interplay of peripheral clock genes with energy balance and nutrients: Role of hormonal pathways' Prof. A. Kramer (Charité, Institut für Klinische Immunologie, CCM) and Prof. Pfeiffer (Charité, Abt. für Endokrinologie, Diabetes und Ernährung, CBF): 1 Post-Doctoral Position TV-L E13.

Project 3: 'Novel physiological thyroid hormone metabolites as potent modulators of energy expenditure and body weight' Prof. J Köhrle & Dr. U. Schweizer (Charité, Institut für Experimentelle Endokrinologie, CVK): 1 PhD Student (TV-L E13/2); 1 Technician (BTA/MTA TV-L E9). Further details.

Project 6: 'fMRI-based characterization of brain activity patterns during weight loss and body weight maintenance: relation to hormonal mechanisms regulating energy homeostasis' Prof. Haynes (Bernstein Center for Computational Neurosciences & Charité CCM & AG) and Dr. Rothemund (Medizinische Klinik m.S. Psychosomatik, Charité CVK): 1 Post-Doctoral Position (TV-L E13).

Project 7: 'Hypothalamic deep brain stimulation as a novel experimental and therapeutic approach in the treatment of adiposity' Prof. A. Kupsch (Klinik für Neurologie) & Prof. J. Spranger, Abteilung f. Endokrinologie, Diabetes and Nutrition):2 PhD Students.

Project 8: 'Pharmacologic strategies for maintenance of weight loss in diet-induced obese mice' Dr. Wiedmer (Abteilung Pharmakologie am Deutschen Institut für Ernährungsforschung Potsdam-Rehbrücke, DIfE): 1 Post-Doctoral Position; 1 Technician (BTA/MTA TV-L E9).

The positions in the subprojects are limited in time for 2 to 3 years, but may be prolonged. All participating institutions follow equal opportunity employment policies. Please direct applications and any enquiries to: initiative.adipositas@charite.de.

European Science Foundation Research Networking Programmes

These long-term research networking programmes are the platform for nationally funded research groups to address major scientific and research infrastructure issues with the goal to advance the frontiers of science. A successful programme proposal must deal with high quality science and demonstrate the added value of being carried out at the European level. European Science Foundation (ESF) Programmes are funded à la carte by ESF Member Organisations interested in supporting proposals recommended by ESF.

Proposals are assessed through international peer review. On the basis of written assessments by external referees the ESF Standing Committees select proposals to be recommended for funding. The final decision on proposals to be presented to the ESF Member Organisations for funding will be made by the ESF Chief Executive together with the Standing Committee Chairs. The budget of an ESF Programme usually averages Euro 100,000 -130,000 annually, for a four or five-year period. Proposals will be accepted until 22nd October 2009. New Programmes start from 1 January 2011. Further information can be found on the website below.

ESF website

European Calcified Tissue Society awards

The European Calcified Tissue Society (ECTS) is calling for applications for their Career Establishment Award and ECTS/Alliance for Better Bone Health Iain T Boyle Award:

The Career Establishment Award is intended to assist newly-appointed faculty members in launching a successful research career. The total amount available is Euro 50,000 payable over a period of 2-3 years.

The ECTS/Alliance for Better Bone Health Iain T Boyle Award is open to young scientists who have made significant progress and contribution to the field of bone and calcified tissue. The nominee should be within 10 years of completing their PhD (or equivalent). The amount available is Euro 5,000.

The deadline for applications for both of these awards is 13 November 2009. Full details can be found on the ECTS website at the link below.

ECTS grants

European Research Council Starting Independent Researcher Grant

Via rdfunding.org.uk. The European Research Council (ERC) Starting Independent Researcher Grants are to support up-and-coming research leaders who are about to establish or consolidate a proper research team and to start conducting independent research in Europe. The scheme targets promising researchers who have the proven potential of becoming independent research leaders. It will support the creation of excellent new research teams and will strengthen others that have been recently created. The deadline for grant applications for Life Sciences is 18 November 2009. Further details can be found by clicking on the link below.

Grant advert

European Foundation for the study of Diabetes Clinical Research grant

Via rdfunding.org.uk. The European Foundation for the Study of Diabetes (EFSD) Clinical Research grants are aimed at encouraging and supporting research in the field of diabetes. The grants programme will accept applications in the fields of type 1 or type 2 diabetes, covering all aspects of the disease, e.g. epidemiology/genetics of pre-diabetes, diabetes and its micro- and macrovascular complications, pathophysiology and clinical aspects including vascular physiology and obesity. The proposed investigation must be carried out in humans; although in vitro and ex vivo studies are acceptable, the in vivo component must clearly be the more relevant part of the project.

Further details and eligibility criteria can be found at the link below. The closing date for applications is 1 December 2009.

Further details

ESPE Young Investigator Award

The European Society of Paediatric Endocrinology (ESPE) Young Investigator Award is conferred to a young European paediatrician, not older than 40 years of age by the end of the year in which the Award is given, in recognition of his or her scientific publications. The award is given on the basis of a selection from submissions received from applicants. For details on how to apply for this award and full eligibility criteria, please visit the ESPE website at the link below. The deadline for applications is 15 January 2010.

ESPE website

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