PRESS RELEASES
12 February 2008
Pioneering woman scientist to be honoured at UK's first national stem cell conference
The UK National Stem Cell Network (UKNSCN) has announced it will be honouring the memory of one of the country’s leading female scientists at the first ever national stem cell research conference. The first Dame Anne McLaren Memorial Lecture will be given at the UKNSCN Inaugural Scientific Meeting in April by Dr Christine Mummery. Dr Mummery, Netherlands Hubrecht Laboratory, is a leading researcher in the study of stem cell heart therapies.
The Lecture will honour the memory of Dame Anne McLaren FRS. Dr McLaren was an early pioneer of the study of embryonic germ cells and her research directly contributed to the development of IVF treatments and stem cell techniques. In recognition of the unique contribution to science Dr McLaren made during her lifetime the UKNSCN will invite a prominent female stem cell scientist to deliver the memorial lecture each year at its national conference.
Dr Christine Mummery is a leading scientist in the study of cardiomyocytes – the beating stem cells that make up the heart. Dr Mummery will speak about her latest research and her views on the potential for cardiomyocytes to repair hearts damaged by disease.
Dr Mummery said: “I am honoured that the UK National Stem Cell Network and the McLaren family have asked me to give the inaugural Dame Anne McLaren Memorial Lecture. The UKNSCN conference will be a tremendous opportunity for the UK stem cell research community to show the world the strength and breadth of the science being undertaken in the country.”
Speaking on behalf of Dr McLaren’s family Professor Susan Michie said: “We are delighted that the UK National Stem Cell Network is honouring Anne in this way. Anne never sought awards or accolades, but she would have embraced the association with this conference, seeking as it does to develop stem cell research which has so much potential for improving people's quality of life. The recognition of women’s contribution to science was also very dear to her heart.”
The Dame Anne McLaren Memorial Lecture will be the key feature of the first day of the three day national stem cell conference. The conference, 9-11 April 2008 at the Herriot-Watt University Conference Centre in Edinburgh, will be an opportunity to hear about and discuss the latest cutting edge research across the UK stem cell field. The conference will include sessions covering embryonic stem cell, adult stem cells, social considerations and tissue engineering.
Also speaking at the conference will be Dr William Lensch from the Children’s Hospital Boston (affiliated to the Harvard Stem Cell Institute). Dr Lensch is a leading researcher in the field of induced pluripotent stem cells. This involved taking human body cells and reprogramming them to become stem cells that can become any of the different cells in the body.
Conference registration is now open and places can be booked via: http://www.eventsforce.net/eventsdynamic/frontend/reg/homepage.csp?eventID=51
MEDIA ATTENDANCE AT THE UKSCN SCIENTIFIC MEETING WILL BE BY ADVANCE REGISTRATION ONLY. TO REGISTER PLEASE CONTACT UKNSCN MEDIA RELATIONS – ukpo@uknscn.org, Tel: 01793 413299
Contact
UKNSCN Media Relations
Matt Goode, Tel: 01793 413299, Mobile 07766 423372
UKNSCN press office email: ukpo@uknscn.org
Notes to Editors
The UK National Stem Cell Network acts as a network of the existing regional stem cell networks in the UK, to bring coordination and coherence to a range of national and regional activities in the field of stem cell research.
The UKNSCN secretariat receives financial support from four of the UK Research Councils:
- Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)
- Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)
- Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)
- Medical Research Council (MRC)
The Network represents the UK stem cell research community and is run through an independent Steering Committee. Initially, the secretariat is operated by BBSRC on behalf of all the Government sponsors of stem cell research, including the Research Councils, the Department of Health and the Department of Innovation, Universities and Skills
|
