PRESS RELEASES

9 June 2008

Oxford to host UK's major gathering of stem cell scientists in 2009

The UK National Stem Cell Network (UKNSCN) has announced that Oxford will host its 2009 national research conference. The conference will see hundreds of stem cell scientists converging on the city from across the world to discuss cutting edge advances in stem cell research.

The UKNSCN Annual Scientific Conference 2009 will be held 6-8 April 2009, in the Examinations School in central Oxford, with overnight accommodation in surrounding Oxford colleges. The evening of 7 April will feature a memorable conference dinner.

High profile UK and international scientists will be delivering keynote speeches on the latest issues in stem cell research and ‘hot topic’ advances in the field. The conference will represent the diversity and breadth of UK stem cell science, with many of the speakers on the programme being young, up and coming researchers.

The UKNSCN Annual Scientific Conference is an annual feature of the scientific calendar, visiting a different UK centre of excellence in stem cell science each year. Next year will be the Network’s second conference. It is an outstanding opportunity to learn about the latest advances and also functions as a unique forum for developing improved co-ordination of research efforts in this strategically important field for the UK.

Lord Patel of Dunkeld, Chair of the UKNSCN Steering Committee, said: “The UKNSCN Annual Science Meeting is a celebration of the best and latest advances in UK stem cell research. I am looking forward to the stem cell science community gathering in Oxford, a UK centre of stem cell excellence, to share news of their latest work.”

Dr Paul Fairchild, Director of the Oxford Stem Cell Institute which has recently been established within the James Martin 21st Century School, said: “The Oxford Stem Cell Institute is delighted to welcome the UKNSCN to Oxford. The UK’s best stem cell scientists, working on every type of stem cell research, will be visiting the city. Oxford will also have the opportunity to demonstrate its own unique contribution to the advancement of stem cell science and its ongoing efforts to translate basic research into clinical treatments.”

The 2009 Annual Science Meeting will be the Network’s second conference. The first, held in Edinburgh attracted 360 researchers from across the world to hear keynote talks on advances in heart stem cells and new techniques to generate stem cells from adult skin samples. Up to 500 researchers are expected to converge on Oxford for the 2009 meeting.

ENDS

Contact

UKNSCN Media Relations
Matt Goode, Tel: 01793 413299, direct email: matt.goode@bbsrc.ac.uk
Press Office email: ukpo@uknscn.org

Ben Sykes, UKNSCN Executive Director
Tel: 01793 414676, email: uksa@uknscn.org

About the UK National Stem Cell Network

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 for Innovation, Universities and Skills.

The Oxford Stem Cell Institute is one of a number of new institutes hosted by the James Martin 21st century School at the University of Oxford (www.21school.ox.ac.uk).