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We are pleased to report on another successful public event which was held at the British Science Festival in Guildford earlier this month. The event, entitled "Bone of Contention? New thinking on osteoporosis" was organised by the Society, the National Osteoporosis Society and the Biological Sciences Section, and was supported by the Institute of Biology and the Biosciences Federation.

Professor Saffron Whitehead did a suberb job as chair for the two hour session which saw four expert speakers discuss the causes, prevention and treatments for osteoporosis. Professor John Wass set the scene with an excellent introduction to osteoporosis, which was followed by a very interesting talk from Julia Thompson of the National Osteoporosis Society who spoke about "A patient’s perspective". Dr Neil Gittoes continued with a fascinating talk on the "Causes and prevention of osteoporosis" and Professor David Reid did an expert job of rounding up proceedings with a talk on the various treatments available for osteoporosis.

The event was attended by a strong and lively audience of approximately 65 people that included members of the public, patients and healthcare professionals. Following the event, Professor Reid and Dr Gittoes took part in a press conference which resulted in media coverage in The Times, Daily Telegraph, Daily Mail, The Guardian and BBC news online (click on the links below to read the articles). We were extremely pleased with the event and would like to extend our thanks to all the speakers and co-organisers for their time and effort in helping to make this event such a success. If you would like to get involved in one of the Society's public ventures, please email: public@endocrinology.org.

BBC news online

The Guardian

Welcome to new committee members

We are pleased to welcome Dr Tim Cheetham and Professor Julian Davis to the Clinical Committee, and Dr Victoria Sharp and Mrs Louise Lloyd to the Young Endocrinologists’ Steering Group. All will take up office in January 2010.

Two new members have joined the Finance Committee with effect from 1 December 2009; we are pleased to welcome Professor Ann Logan and Dr Mark Vanderpump.

Call for nominations for new Council members

Professor Kevin Docherty, Dr Rob Fowkes and Professor Mike Wallace will retire from Council in March 2010, having served their 4-year terms of office. A further position will be left vacant when Professor Graham Williams becomes Treasurer on 1 January 2010. Full members are requested to make nominations to fill these four vacancies. A nomination form will be available shortly at the link below.

To provide the correct balance on Council, the Society is seeking three basic science members and one clinical member to fill the vacancies. The deadline for nominations is 11 December 2009.

Nomination form

SfE/Caledonian Society for Endocrinology Regional Clinical Cases Meeting - Call for Cases

The second Regional Clinical Cases meeting will take place at the Royal Society of Edinburgh on 4 December 2009. The first highly successful meeting was held in Birmingham in association with the Midlands Endocrine Club. The afternoon will be similar to the London Clinical Cases meeting and will consist of ten oral communication presentations made up from high scoring submitted abstracts. The evening will see the Caledonian Society’s annual meeting hosting a guest speaker and a prize lecture.

If you wish to submit a case for this meeting, all information is available at the website below. Please note, the deadline for submission of cases is Monday 28 September 2009. If you have any enquiries, please contact the conference secretariat at conferences@endocrinology.org or call +44 (0) 1454 642 240.

Call for Cases

Clinical Update 2009 - early bird registration deadline 1 October 2009

This year's Clinical Update will take place at the Renaissance Manchester Hotel, Manchester on 2-4 November 2009. Registration for this meeting is now open at the link below with an early bird deadline of 1 October 2009. Case submission details and a preliminary programme are also available on the Clinical Update website.

Clinical Update 2009

Call for Cases - SfE National Clinical Cases Meeting 2010

The Society for Endocrinology is delighted to invite the submission of cases for the next National Clinical Cases Meeting to be held at the Royal Society of Medicine, London on Tuesday 23 February 2010.

Please submit your abstract on a single A4 sheet; begin with the title followed by the presenting author’s name, the names of the other authors and then give details of the institution(s). On a separate page to accompany your abstract, please provide your details: full name, grade, email address, telephone and fax numbers. Send your abstract via email to conferences@endocrinology.org. Should you wish to discuss the suitability of your case for presentation, please contact Dr Andy Toogood, (Programme Advisor) Email: andrew.toogood@uhb.nhs.uk.

The presenting author of abstracts accepted for presentation will be notified in late November. Ten abstracts will be invited for oral presentation and others will be displayed as posters. Accepted abstracts will be featured on the Society for Endocrinology’s website http://www.endocrinology.org/education/. A book of abstracts will be made available to all delegates attending the meeting. Prizes for the two highest scoring oral (1st prize £250, runner-up £150) and poster presentations (£100 each) will be awarded to authors below the grade of consultant at an awards ceremony during the evening wine reception.

The deadline for case submissions is Monday 26 October 2009. Please direct your enquires and submit your abstracts to the Society for Endocrinology Conferences department: Tel: +44 (0) 1454 642 210, Email: conferences@endocrinology.org.

Further information

SfE BES 2010 meeting - abstract deadline 16 November 2009

The Society for Endocrinology BES 2010 meeting will take place at the Manchester Central Convention Complex in Manchester on 15-18 March 2010. The conference promises an exciting scientific programme packed with oral communications, clinical expert sessions, medal lectures and much more.

Dates for your diaries:

Abstract submission deadline: 16 November 2009

Earlybird registration deadline: 18 January 2010

Free SfE BES places for trainees: applications open 2 November-4 December 2009

Further information and the preliminary programme are now available at the website below. If you have any queries please contact the conferences department at: conferences@endocrinology.org.

SfE BES 2010

SfE BES free places

Portico announces digital preservation agreement with the Society for Endocrinology and BioScientifica

The Society and BioScientifica Ltd are pleased to announce the signing of an agreement with Portico to preserve the online collection of the five e-journals we publish, together with their predecessor titles. The Society has been publishing journals since 1939, and exists to advance scientific and clinical education and research in endocrinology for the public benefit. BioScientifica publishes journals on behalf of the European Society of Endocrinology and the Society for Reproduction and Fertility.

Through this agreement with Portico, the Society of Endocrinology and BioScientifica ensure that the online version of these journals will be preserved and available for future scholars, researchers, and students. The group has named Portico as a mechanism to fulfil post-cancellation access claims and has also agreed to make an annual financial contribution to Portico. With the inclusion of these e-journals, over 10,300 e-journals and 27,000 e-books from 79 publishers on behalf of 2,000 societies and associations have now been entrusted to the Portico archive. A complete list of titles and participating publishers is available at the link below.

Portico website

Autumn Endocrine Retreat 2009

The 2nd Society for Endocrinology Autumn Endocrine Retreat will be held at Milton Hill House, Steventon, Oxfordshire from 16-18 October 2009. This initiative aims to further meet the educational needs of trainee members not already addressed by the Society. The retreat will: provide an informal setting for PhD students/early post-docs to gain experience in presenting work; encourage trainee members to actively participate in the event and provide networking opportunities. Registration for this meeting is now closed. The preliminary programme can be downloaded at the link below.

Retreat website

Preliminary programme

The Source careers event

The Society will be attending the Nature Source careers event to be held at the Business Design Centre, Islington, London on Friday 25 September 2009. The event is a dedicated science career fair that combines a dynamic exhibition with conference and workshop sessions. The Society will man a stand in the exhibition along with four other learned societies under the banner of the Biosciences Federation and Institute of Biology. The event is aimed predominantly at postgraduate and postdoctoral students and will cover a wide range of academic and non-academic biomedical careers. For further information on the event, click on the link below.

The Source event

International Society of Endocrinology newsletter and ICE 2010

Members can view the latest newsletter from the International Society of Endocrinology (ISE) by clicking on the link on the left hand side of the ISE website below. ICE 2010 will take place in Kyoto, Japan from 26-30 March 2010. Details on registration and abstract submission are available at the link below.

ISE newsletter

ICE 2010

Call for scientific session suggestions for SfE BES 2011 meeting

Scientific session suggestions

The Society welcomes scientific suggestions for consideration by the Programme Committee for SfE BES 2011 meeting. If there are any sessions you would like to see included in the meeting, please submit them by 31 January 2010 at the link below.

Call for abstracts for YE prize lectures - GBP 2,500 honorarium offered

Are you a member and: a basic scientist less than 6 years post-PhD or have yet to complete a PhD; or a clinical endocrinologist who has not yet completed your clinical training? Abstracts are invited by Friday 2 October 2009 on any subject under the general heading of endocrinology. This is likely to relate to an area of personal endocrine research, either in progress or recently completed. The successful applicants will be asked to present a 20 minute lecture during the Society’s BES Meeting (15 – 18 March 2010) which will be held at the Manchester Central Convention Complex. The Society offers a £2,500 honorarium for this prestigious award.

Applicants are invited to submit their abstract on a single A4 sheet via email, accompanied by a mini-CV on a second A4 sheet. The CV should include up to 5 publications of relevance to the lecture topic. Please also supply the name, address and telephone number/email address of your head of department to assist in the selection process. Applications will be judged by the Awards Committee of the Society using the standard criteria of originality, scientific quality and general relevance/impact. Abstracts should be sent via email to Christine Davis (christine.davis@endocrinology.org), Society for Endocrinology, 22 Apex Court, Woodlands, Bradley Stoke, Bristol BS32 4JT, UK no later than Friday 2 October 2009.

Society Grants

The Society for Endocrinology offers a number of grants which members can apply for throughout the year. These include: clinical department visit grants, sponsored seminars and poster session grants, and conference travel grants. For details on how to apply for Society grants, please visit the website below. If you have any questions about Society grants, please email: grants@endocrinology.org.

SfE Grants website

Society Prizes and Awards

Prizes and awards website

The Society offers a number of awards and prizes throughout the year. Prizes are offered at the SfE BES meeting and Clinical Cases meetings for oral and poster presentations, and undergraduates can apply for the Undergraduate Achievement Award and Undergraduate Essay Prize. A Postgraduate Essay Prize is also available on an annual basis. For further details of all these awards and prizes and information on how to apply, please visit the website below.

Society Meetings, Dates and Deadlines

For further information on these meetings and on all Society matters, please visit www.endocrinology.org

SfE conference grant deadline
Deadline: 15 August 2010 Further information

SfE Obesity Management Symposium
9-10 September 2010. Further information

Postgraduate Essay Prize - deadline
Deadline: 13 September 2010 Further information

Public Event - The obesity epidemic: whose fault is it anyway?
Wednesday 15 September 2010, British Science Festival, Birmingham Further information

Endocrine Nurse Update 2010
27-28 September 2010, Stratford-upon-Avon. Further information

Young Endocrinologist Prize Lecture abstract submission deadline
Deadline: 1 October 2010. Further information

Clinical Update 2010: Early bird registration deadline
Deadline: 4 October 2010 Further information

SfE Autumn Endocrine Retreat 2010
15-17 October 2010 Further information

Society for Endocrinology Clinical Update 2010
8-10 November 2010, Bristol. Further information

Early Career Grant Programme deadline
Deadline: 27 November 2010 Further information

SfE Regional Clinical Cases Meeting - Brighton
10 December 2010, Brighton. Further information

Society for Endocrinology BES 2011 meeting
11-14 April 2011, Birmingham. Further information

Endocrinology in the News

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.

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.

Prostate cancer hormone use warning (Daily Telegraph, 26 August 2009)

Men with prostate cancer and a history of heart problems could be at risk from taking hormones as part of their treatment regime, an American study has shown.

Breast cancer 'wonder drug' increases risk of rare tumour by 440% (Daily Mail, 26 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.

Obesity drug fears investigated (BBC news online, 25 August 2009)

The anti-obesity drug Orlistat has been linked with liver damage. The US Food and Drug Administration are now reviewing the safety of the drug, which works by blocking fat absorption in the body.

Can hormones explain female high fliers? (BBC news online, 25 August 2009)

Women with high levels of testosterone are more likely to be risk takers and high fliers, according to a new US study.

What is Hot in Society Journals?

EMT transpires during B-cell differentiation

Islet replacement holds promise as therapy for diabetes mellitus. However, the major limitation in this line of therapy is the supply of donor tissue. In order to overcome this limitation, scientists are researching how endocrine tissue can be expanded and a possible solution includes in vitro β-cell production. This requires an understanding of the normal developmental processes that regulate islet formation.

In a study carried out by Cole et al., at the University of Arizona, AZ, USA, pancreas development in sheep and in humans have been compared. The authors have focussed on the process of pancreatic islet development, in which ductal cells start to specialize and undergo a mechanism termed epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). In this mechanism ductal cells group or migrate as single cells from the ductal epithelium into the surrounding pancreatic mesenchyme and aquire a beta cell phenotype. In this process they additionally express vimentin as a marker of mesenchyme. Their findings provide strong evidence that the movement of β-cells from the pancreatic ductal epithelium involves an EMT and provides promising new insight to refine strategies for β-cell expansion in vitro for islet replacement therapy. Journal of Endocrinology, DOI: 10.1677/JOE-09-0072

Regulation of thymopoiesis by leptin

The neuroendocrine hormone leptin is known to have many roles, including regulating insulin sensitivity and reproductive function, but is most extensively characterized for its critical function as a satiety hormone. Interestingly, mice with naturally occurring mutations in leptin or membrane-bound leptin receptor suggest a role for leptin in immune function as they exhibit chronic thymic atrophy and suppressed immune responses.

New insights into the role of leptin in immunity are now emerging, and generally define leptin in the immune system as promoting phagocytosis, development of T helper 1 cells and general inflammation. Leptin has also been shown to play a role in autoimmune disorders by enhancing autoimmune dysregulation. Little is known, however, about specific roles for leptin signalling in the thymus on the underlying mechanisms driving thymic involution or thymic recovery after acute stress.

Gruver et al. report in this study carried out at the Duke University Medical Center, NC, USA, that leptin receptor is restricted to the medullary epithelial cells in the thymus. Using a model of endotoxemia-induced acute thymic involution and recovery, they demonstrate a role for supraphysiologic leptin in protection of thymic epithelial cells. Their studies support an intrathymic role for the metabolic hormone leptin in maintaining healthy thymic epithelium and promoting thymopoiesis, which is revealed when thymus homeostasis is perturbed by endotoxemia. Journal of Endocrinology, DOI: 10.1677/JOE-09-0179

Transgenic mice with decreased Gata4 expression show crucial role of Gata4 in the heart and gonads

The implications of deficiencies of the transcription factor GATA4 have been studied by Thurisch et al. Transgenic mice showed that decreased Gata4 expression was associated with decreased expression in known cardiac genes, and in different downstream target genes in the ovary and testis, affecting the function and integrity of the gonads. These findings have implications for patients with inherited GATA4 deficiency. Journal of Molecular Endocrinology, DOI: 10.1677/JME-09-0030

Integrative molecular bioinformatics study of human adrenocortical tumors

The key genetic events involved in adrenocortical cancer pathogenesis remain incompletely understood. Zsofia Tombol and colleagues applied a combined microRNA and mRNA expression profile to identify mIR and/or gene sets that distinguish benign adrenocortical adenomas from carcinomas (ACC). They found that expression of miR-184 and miR-503 was significantly higher, whereas miR-511 and miR-214 significantly lower in ACCs than in other groups, and that a combination of two of these, mIR-511 and mIR503, was sufficient to provide diagnostic discrimination. Moreover, the expression profiles pointed to a possible dysfunction of the G2/M cell cycle checkpoint in ACC pathogenesis. Endocrine-Related Cancer, DOI:10.1677/ERC-09-0096

Jobs

PhD Studentship in osteoporosis, UCL

Via www.jobs.ac.uk. A fully funded 4-year PhD studentship entitled "Development of a new technique in osteoporosis classification for diagnosis and fracture prevention" is currently made available jointly by the Department of Medical Physics and Bioengineering and the Department of Mechanical Engineering at University College London. Osteoporosis is considered as a progressive systemic disease characterised by a low bone mass and micro-architectural deterioration of bone tissue with a consequent increase in bone fragility and susceptibility to fracture. Providing an improved and earlier warning of fracture risk due to osteoporosis has the potential to significantly improve patients’ wellbeing.

The project will involve the development of a new technique in osteoporosis classification for diagnosis and fracture prevention. The research of the PhD student will benefit from the complementary expertise in the two departments to tackle this interdisciplinary research project. Innovative x-ray imaging techniques pioneered in the department of Medical Physics combined with the characterisation and structural modelling expertise in the department of Mechanical Engineering will be used to understand the functions and failure of bone for varying degrees of osteoporosis.

The 4-year studentship includes tuition fees and an annual stipend of £15,300 (tax free). The ideal candidate should have a strong background in Medical Physics, Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering or applied science area. Applicants should possess a first or upper second class honours degree (or equivalent) in this area. Further information and application details can be found at the website below. The PhD will commence in autumn 2009 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Job advert

Life Sciences Research Foundation - Postdoctoral Research Fellowships

Via rdfunding.org.uk. The Life Sciences Research Foundation (LSRF) aims to support postdoctoral fellowships in the life sciences. LSRF awards fellowships (3 years) will be awarded on a competitive basis to graduates of medical and graduate schools in the biological sciences holding M.D., Ph.D., D.V.M. or D.D.S. degrees. Full eligibility criteria and information on how to apply can be accessed at the website below. The deadline for applications is 1 October 2009.

LSRF website

BBSRC Enterprise Fellowships

Funded by BBSRC and delivered by The Royal Society of Edinburgh, these enable researchers to concentrate on, and be actively involved in, commercialising research that was largely funded by BBSRC. The Fellowships provide: business training to help development of a business plan, a year’s salary hosted at the fellow’s university or research institute, access to mentors, business experts and professional advisors.

Academic and research staff and postgraduates with relevant experience are eligible to apply if employed by a: UK Higher Education Institution (HEI), or Institutes of BBSRC. We will provide a salary within the scales for research staff in HEIs, grades 22-37 (between £23,577 -£35,663). In exceptional cases, we will consider higher salaries where it is fully justified and the host institution demonstrates a commitment to the fellowship. Application details can be found at the link below. The deadline for applications is 13 October 2009.

Further details

Postdoctoral Position, Boston, USA

Via naturejobs.com. There is a post-doctoral position available in the Endocrine Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School to study the actions of Parathyroid Hormone (PTH) receptor (PPR) on osteocytes in vivo. The main goal of the project is to understand the role of PPRs in osteocytes and to determine the function(s) of these cells in mediating the effects of the hormone on bone. Candidate should have a recent Ph.D. degree in biology and experience with murine “in vivo” studies. Additional experience in bone biology and signal transduction is strongly preferred. Candidates must be self-motivated, creative and independent. Send curriculum vitae, brief statement of research interests and names of three references to: Paola Divieti Pajevic, MD, PhD , Endocrine Unit, Their 1101 Mass General Hospital,50 Blossom Street, Boston MA 02114, USA or by e-mail to: divieti@helix.mgh.harvard.edu. The closing date for applications is 31 October 2009.

Job advert

European Calcified Tissue Society Fellowships

The European Calcified Tissue Society (ECTS) have a number of fellowships and PhD studentship open for applications:

ECTS POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP Grants are available for European postdoctoral fellows to assist with expenses relating to their own research project, which must be relevant to the field of calcified tissues and related topics. The total amount available is Euro 60,000 payable over a period of 2 years. Projects based on collaboration between European laboratories are more than welcome and will be favourably considered.

ECTS/AMGEN BONE BIOLOGY FELLOWSHIP Applications are invited from scientists at the beginning of their research career who wish to conduct research into basic or clinical aspects of bone disease. Applications in all relevant areas of bone biology will be considered, but those which increase understanding of the role of RANK, RANKL or OPG in bone biology would be particularly welcome. Successful candidates will be awarded a fellowship of 3 years duration with a value of Euro 100,000 of which 50% shall be deployed to cover salary costs.

ECTS/SERVIER FELLOWSHIP Applicants must be based in Europe and be within 10 years of gaining MD or PhD. Applications to include details of a preclinical or clinical research project on the pathophysiology of osteoporosis, particularly the coupling and uncoupling processes between bone formation and bone resorption and all related matters. The total amount available is Euro 40,000 payable over a period of 2 years.

ECTS PhD STUDENTSHIP Grants are available for European PhD students to assist with expenses incurred for their PhD research project, which must be relevant to the field of calcified tissues and related topics. The total amount available is Euro 75,000 payable over a period of 3 years.

The closing deadline for applications for all of the above is 13 November 2009. Further details can be found on the ECTS website at the link below.

ECTS Fellowships

Grants and Prizes

The Ipsen Fund: Medical Lecture/Seminar/Symposium Award

Via rdfunding.org.uk. The Ipsen Fund has been established by Ipsen Limited to support advances in the clinical management of diseases with a neurological or endocrine basis. The aim of the Fund is to support advances which will result in better patient care in the UK.

The Ipsen Fund Medical Lecture/Seminar/Symposium Award aims to help fund the cost of putting on a medical lecture, seminar or symposium. Educational grants are available to support high-quality medical symposia and seminars focusing on neurological or endocrine-based conditions, especially in those areas of therapeutic interest to Ipsen Limited. Grants of up to £5,000 are available for a single event. Organisers are required to plan the costs of their proposed programme so as to ensure that any expenditure exceeding this amount is met from another source, which should be disclosed on the application form.

Applications will be accepted all year round. The Award Secretariat can be contacted on tel: 01753 627777. Further details can be found at the link below.

Award details

Climb Research Grants

Climb, the charity supporting children living with inherited metabolic diseases has opened applications for 2010/2011 round of research grants. Research proposals are requested in the area of inherited metabolic disease and in particular on carbohydrate and glycosylation disorders. At this stage, Climb are asking for applicants to submit outline proposals including timescales and costing estimates. If initial project proposals are deemed appropriate, full applications will be requested. Further details can be found on the Climb website below. The deadline for initial outline applications (including budget) is 30 October 2009.

Climb Research Grants

ISE travel grants to attend ICE 2010

Endocrinologists who have demonstrated effectiveness in endocrine research can now apply for International Society of Endocrinology (ISE) travel grants to attend the ICE 2010 meeting, Kyoto, Japan. The procedure for applying together with an application form can be found at the ISE website below. The closing date for applications is 31 October 2009.

ISE website

Sir Henry Wellcome Postdoctoral Fellowship scheme

Preliminary applications are now being accepted for the Wellcome Trust Sir Henry Wellcome Postdoctoral Fellowship scheme, which supports the most promising newly qualified postdoctoral researchers. This scheme is for newly qualified postdocs with a burning biomedical research question to investigate. It provides a chance to begin an independent research career and work in some of the best labs in the UK and overseas.

The awards, first made by the Trust in 2007, support the most promising newly qualified postdoctoral researchers by providing £250 000 over four years to cover their salary, research costs and travel/subsistence. These awards may be taken up from July 2010. Preliminary applications must be received by 2 November 2009 and full applications will be invited by 1 December 2009, for completion by 1 February 2010. Candidates should have no more than 12 months' postdoctoral experience by February 2010. Further details can be found by clicking on the link below.

Further details

RCUK National Science & Engineering Week Awards Scheme 2010

Are you a Researcher or PhD student? Looking to give public engagement a try for the first time? Looking for funds to support your public engagement activities during National Science & Engineering Week 2010? If you are funded by one of the seven Research Councils, then funds of up to £2,000 are available per project to those wishing to engage public and schools audiences with issues relating to science and engineering. This is your opportunity to develop your communication and public engagement skills on a small scale.

Application forms and guidelines for the scheme are available online at the website below or by emailing cheryl.hewer@rcuk.ac.uk. The closing date for applications is 5pm, Monday 2 November 2009.

RCUK 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

Diabetes UK Equipment Grants

Diabetes UK equipment grants are to enable the purchase of a specific large item of multi user equipment necessary for diabetes related research projects. Support is normally requested for up to three years; however, longer periods of time may be requested if scientifically justified. The maximum amount that may normally be requested is £100,000. Applications for less than £20,000 will not normally be considered under this scheme. Diabetes UK expects that applications will normally include a contribution from the host institution or other source. As a guide, we would normally expect a minimum contribution in the region of 20 per cent of the total cost of the equipment. This contribution may be towards the purchase of the equipment or the running costs. Applicants should be in receipt of substantial grant funding either from Diabetes UK or other funding bodies. Further details can be found at the website below. The closing date for applications is 1 December 2009.

Diabetes UK

Miscellaneous News

Pituitary Foundation represented on the plinth during Pituitary Awareness Week

Pituitary Awareness Week takes place during the week of 20-26 September 2009. Lynda Lloyd, a volunteer for the Pituitary Foundation, has succeeded in securing a place on the plinth in Trafalgar Square to mark Pituitary Awareness Week. The plinth, the empty “Fourth Plinth” in Trafalgar Square, is currently a “living art monument” that will continue 24 hours a day for 100 days. Lynda will be on the plinth, wearing a Pituitary Foundation t-shirt, on Saturday, 26 September 2009 from 11:00 – 12:00. If you are in London or the surrounding area, please go to Trafalgar Square and give Lynda some support. For those of you not close to London, you can watch Lynda on the plinth live on the web at the link below.

There are plenty of other activities going on during Pituitary Awareness Week. For full details, visit the Pituitary Foundation website below.

Pituitary Foundation

The plinth (live link)

AMGEN Roadshow 2009

Amgen Ltd invite you to this educational event to be held at The Royal Society, 6-9 Carlton House Terrace, London SW1Y 5AG, on Wednesday 23 September 2009 at 18.00. During this meeting, Dr David Hosking will introduce the current clinical perspectives on Primary Hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) and clinical indications for medical management of the condition. In addition Professor Claudio Marcocci will present pivotal trial data that ultimately led to the license for a new medical treatment option for non-surgical PHPT patients. Places at this meeting are limited. To register your attendance and for further information, please contact Kara Townsend at karat@amgen.com.

RCP Linacre Lecture 2010

The Royal College of Physicians are inviting applications to deliver the Linacre Lecture 2010. Applicants must be Members or Fellows of the Royal College of Physicians of London under the age of 40 on 30 September 2009. They should submit 8 copies of: I. An abbreviated CV, including present appointment and a list of personal publications and papers in press relevant to the lecture. II. A synopsis of the proposed lecture (about 500 words) describing the subject and the extent to which the work is original. Ideally the lecture should include a proportion of original unpublished work in a balanced account of the subject suitable for a general medical audience. If work has been carried out in collaboration or under supervision, approval by those colleagues must be obtained before the application is submitted. The name of the applicant should be in the top right hand corner of each copy of the synopsis.

Applications should be submitted to: Academic Registrar, Royal College of Physicians, 11 St Andrews Place, Regent’s Park, London. NW1 4LE, Tel: 020 7935 1174 Ext. 564, Fax: 020 7224 0719, Email: trustfunds@rcplondon.ac.uk, by the 30 September 2009.

RCP London

Joint Home Office, Universities UK and Biosciences Federation Meeting: Workshop for new Project Licence Applicants

Following the success of this event in previous years, Universities UK, the Home Office and the Animal Science Group of the BSF are planning the seventh joint meeting in London on Monday 2 November 2009. This year’s event – which is rather different from recent years - is a full-day workshop on writing a project licence application and is aimed primarily at first-time applicants. However, this general programme is also suitable for those contemplating renewing their project licences, their deputies, current project licence holders, senior NACWOs and members of the local ERP. Six volunteers will be sought to use their prospective projects for discussion at the workshops. If you are interested and available to attend the meeting for the full day, please return the application form which is available to download at the link below. Attendance is free of charge, however places are strictly limited with priority given to those who are drafting new project licence applications. The deadline for receiving completed applications to attend the meeting is 9 October 2009.

Application

WHO does not recommend the use of homeopathy for HIV, malaria, TB, influenza and infant diarrhoea

Sense About Science website

In June Voice of Young Science (Sense About Science) joined with other early career medics and researchers in Africa and wrote an open letter to the WHO, calling on the body to condemn the promotion of homeopathy for treating HIV, malaria, TB, infant diarrhoea and influenza.

The WHO has responded and said that it DOES NOT recommend the use of homeopathy for treating HIV, TB, malaria, influenza and infant diarrhoea. The office of Dr Margaret Chan, Director-General of WHO, stated on 14 August 2009 that these responses “clearly express the WHO’s position”. Today the Voice of Young Science network, has written to the health ministers of all countries to publicise the WHO’s position, asking them to combat the promotion of homeopathy for these dangerous diseases. The story can be found on the BBC and Sense About Science websites at the links below.

BBC website

Max Perutz Science Writing Award - winner announced

The Medical Research Council has announced PhD student Jackie Maybin as the winner of the prestigious Max Perutz Science Writing Award for her essay "The best a man can’t get." The prize-winning essay focuses on the womb’s power to heal itself without scarring as women go through their menstrual cycles - a healing process unique to the female reproductive system. Greater understanding of this phenomenon could have a huge impact for both men and women, in particular, how we treat inflammation and scarring throughout the body. To read the winning essay, click on the link below.

MRC website

RCUK Code of Good Research Conduct sets out clear guidelines

Research Councils UK (RCUK) today launched a new policy document setting out clear guidance on best practice for researchers. The RCUK Policy and Code of Conduct on the Governance of Good Research Conduct also provides guidelines which describe how to manage research to ensure the highest standards, and on the reporting and investigation of unacceptable research conduct.

The Code, developed after a wide consultation last year with partners across the higher education and research sector, aims to provide clear guidelines to help researchers and research organisations achieve the highest standards possible when carrying out research. Covering a wide range of suggested best practice areas, from the need for appropriate training and development at the early career stage to how to handle the resignation of a researcher under investigation, the Code is designed to fit in with research organisations' own internal procedures.

RCUK website

Other International Conferences