UK National Stem Cell Network Launch

The eagerly awaited UK National Stem Cell Network will be officially launched on April 18th with presentations from Minister of State for Science and Innovation, Malcolm Wicks, current Chair of the Steering Committee, Lord Patel and representatives from the four regional stem cell networks.

The Network, which was established last year in response to recommendations made in the Pattison Report, has been charged with 'maximising the cross-fertilisation between those involved in the sub-disciplines of UK stem cell research'.

It will provide a national voice for UK stem cell research, co-ordinate activities at a national level and offer a first point of contact for policy makers, the public, overseas researchers and the media. It will encourage cooperation from north to south by 'networking the networks'.

More information at www.uknscn.org

UK to host International Society for Stem Cell Research Conference 2009

The UK National Stem Cell Network has successfully fended off rival bids from Barcelona, Amsterdam and Stockholm to host the 2009 International Society for Stem Cell Research Conference in London.

The UK was commended for the cohesion of its bid and the support of regional stem cell networks, research councils and development agencies.

The UKNSCN team received financial backing from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, the Medical Research Council, the East of England Stem Cell Network, the Scottish Stem Cell Network, the Economic and Social Research Council and the North East England Stem Cell Institute.

UKSCN is currently preparing presentations for this year's annual ISSCR conference which will be held in Cairns, Australia, June 17-20, 2007.

More information at www.isscr.org/meetings/index.htm

HFEA enables altruistic egg donations

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority announced last month its decision to allow women to be paid £250 for donating their eggs to medical research.

The ruling is designed to permit altruistic donations of eggs which may address the shortfall in those available for embryonic stem cell research. Previously clinics were only allowed to accept eggs donated as a by-product of IVF treatment or sterilisation.

Direct payment for eggs used for any purpose remains illegal.

UKSCF Trustee Lord Robert Winston discusses the surrounding issues with the BBC

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6379827.stm

Click on Video and Audio News.

Government inquiry into the regulation of hybrid and chimera embryos closes

The final evidence session of the Science and Technology Committee inquiry into government proposals on the regulation of hybrid and chimera embryos was completed on Thursday 28 February. The committee will now go into discussion before the findings and final reports are released next month, when a decision will be taken.

The inquiry has been assessing the appropriateness of proposals for legislation in this area as set out in the Government's recent White Paper, Review of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology .

The revised legislation, which includes proposals to establish a Regulatory Authority for Tissue and Embryos (RATE), to replace existing regulatory bodies (the Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority, and the Human Tissue Authority), is likely to be introduced in draft form as a Bill published for pre-legislative scrutiny in the Parliamentary session 2007-8.

Stem Cell Science - Hope not Hype

Don't miss the Research Council UK's touring exhibition Stem Cell Science - Hope not Hype.

The exhibition, launched last June at a parliamentary event by then Health Minister Andy Burnham, is featuring at the Cambridge Science Festival until March 25 and will be moving to the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh from 7 – 14 April.

The exhibition highlights current UK stem cell research and the surrounding social and ethical issues.

More information at:
http://www.bbsrc.ac.uk/society/engagement
/exhibitions/current/stem_cells.html

UK-US Stem Cell Banks Collaborate

The UK and US Stem Cell Banks are to work together to promote stem cell research, develop international standards on banking of cells and improve distribution and availability of stem cell lines for researchers internationally.

The initiative was announced at a news conference in the US in February when leaders of the US national stem cell Bank in Madison, Wisconsin, hosted a UK delegation including Glyn Stacey, Director of the UK Stem Cell Bank and chairman of the UK oversight committee on stem cell research.

International Stem Cell Guidelines

The International Society for Stem Cell Research has published the first set of international guidelines on embryonic stem cell research in consultation with 14 countries worldwide.

The Guidelines for the Conduct of Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research address international diversity of cultural, political, legal and religious perspectives and were
published on 1 February.

For further information  

http://www.isscr.org/guidelines/index.htm

Stem Cell Sciences signs deal will Merck

UK-based biotechnology company, Stem Cell Sciences, has confirmed that it will be licensing its mouse neural stem cell technology to global pharmaceutical giant Merck and Co.

SCS believes that the neural stem cells have "broad research applications". The technology and cells will be supplied by SCS from its newly opened facility in Cambridge, UK.

FT reports NASA Technology to help increase stem cell output

The Financial Times has reported from the 2nd Annual Stem Cell Summit in San Diego this February that NASA has launched a new company called Regenetech, set up to commercialise technology which enables large growth of stem cells.

The CellXpansion system simulates a weightless environment which has been shown in NASA space shuttle experiments to be favourable for cell growth.

For further information

http://www.regenetech.com/

London Biotechnology Network Launches Career Track

The London Biotechnology Network (LBN) has announced the launch of their Career Track, a new scheme aimed at providing focus, development and training for those in the biotechnology and life science sector. The new Career Track event will be launched on Thursday, March 29, and will take place at Kings College London.

The Career Track will offer support to both scientists and biotech companies. It was established to offer graduates help in finding work within the scientific sector, and companies a chance to recruit the best scientific minds London had to offer.

Tony Jones, Director of LBN said: “The LBN Career Track is about nurturing the next wave of biotech entrepreneurs. We want to connect young scientists in London with biotech companies, and ensure that the future for this sector remains healthy.” For more information on attending this event, please email tjones@london-first.co.uk.