Life Science Events

Cell culture technology: Recent advances,future prospects – 9th March 2012

Astrid — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 16:39:28 +0000

Cell culture technology: Recent advances, future prospects

5th Annual event Friday, 09 March 2012

The Penridge Suite, 470 Bowes Road, London N11 1NL

In the last 4 decades mammalian cell culture has matured from being merely a research tool into being one of the foundations of the biopharmaceutical industry, and its use is continuing to expand rapidly. In vitro models are replacing animals in many tests and assays; its enormous potential in the fields of stem cell and regenerative medicine has hardly started to be realized; and its utility in research grows ever faster”.

Meeting Chair: Dr John Davis, Chairman of the UK Branch of the European Society for Animal Cell Technology.

This conference will examine some of the latest applications of cell culture technology, some that are still “over the horizon”, and some of the problems that must be solved before it can reach its full potential.

This event has CPD accreditation and will have a troubleshooting panel session.

On registration you will be able to submit your questions to the panel that will be asked by the chair on the day of the event

9:00 – 9:45 Registration

9:45 – 10:00 Introduction by the Chair: Dr John Davis, Chairman of the UK Branch of the European Society for Animal Cell Technology

10:00 – 10:30 Polymeric matrix construction

Professor Alexander M. Seifalian, University College London, UK

10:30 – 11:00 A discussion of the systems used to measure autophagy in vitro

Katy Petherick, University of Bristol, UK

Autophagy is a rapidly growing field of research. Methods to analyse autophagy are constantly advancing. The complexity of the process makes it important to have accurate readouts of autophagic activity. This talk will discuss a range of methods for measuring autophagy and important points to consider when using these techniques.

11:00 – 11:30 Clinical grade human embryonic stem cells

Dr Dusko Ilic, Kings College London School of Medicine

hES cells are undifferentiated cells derived from an early embryo that can grow in vitro indefinitely, while retaining their capability to differentiate into specialized somatic cell types. Their use in therapy and regenerative medicine as well as in toxicity screening and drug development is widely anticipated. However, even if we pay no attention to ethical, religious and political issues that relate to hES cells, there are still a number of obstacles to be resolved before these cells can be broadly used for cell-based therapy. The talk provides an overview of the current status and the future perspective of the field from the point of view of the standard level of patient safety and efficacy for the healthcare industry.

11:30 – 12:00 Speakers’ photo then mid-morning break and trade show

12:00 – 12:30 Single use bioreactor for clinical-grade production of stem cells

Dr. Thorsten Adams, Sartorius Stedim Biotech GmbH, Germany

As the field of regenerative medicine further develops, there is an increasing need for larger scale generation of stem cell derived therapeutics for clinical applications. Stem cells are frequently cultured in simple devices such as petri dishes and static bags. However, the main drawback of these technologies is the lack of scalability and process control. Single use bioreactors are well suited for this application. They offer a controlled environment for hypoxic cultivations and the possibility for process automation. This talk will address the technology, first results and the challenges that need to be overcome in order to optimize the single use bioreactor technology for the regenerative medicine market.

12:30 – 13:00 Automated Approaches to the Optimisation of Stem Cell Expansion and Differentiation Professor Gary Lye, University College London, United Kingdom

Stem cell culture is a largely manual process, with major challenges to address in the methods used regarding scalability and variability. Process automation can be of great benefit to reduce operator-dependent variation, therefore improving cell yield and quality. This would be beneficial for production of defined cells for high throughput screening or definition of a robust cGMP process suitable for scaled-out production of cells for clinical application. This work describes the use of a custom assembled Tecan platform for the hands-free expansion and directed differentiation of a range of stem cells.

Key bioprocess variables were initially optimised to develop a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the expansion and differentiation steps. Comparisons between the manual and automated process over eight sequential passages were then performed. Automated culture was shown to improve the consistency of cell yield up to 3-fold. Using the platform’s ability to control oxygen tension, stem cells were further differentiated into neural precursors at 2% oxygen and results compared to manual differentiation at 2% and 20% oxygen. Use of the enclosed automated platform avoided changes in oxygen tension during media changes, as occurs in manual culture. Up to a 16-fold increase in gene expression in the differentiated cell lines were obtained.

13:00– 14:00 Lunch and trade show

14:00 – 15:00 Question and Answer Session

Delegates will be asked to submit questions to a panel of experts. Questions can be submitted before the event or on the day

15:00 – 15:30 Dry Powder Mammalian Cell Culture media production: From Easy going to sophistication –

a case study DMEM / F12 production

Dr. Jörg von Hagen, PMP , Head of Process Development / Launch Management, Pharm Chemicals Solutions,Merck Millipore Division, Germany

This talk will discuss Dry Powder Mammalian Cell Culture media production-From Easy going to sophistication – a case study DMEM / F12 production. Points will include :

Physico chemical characterisation of DMEM F12
Batch to batch consistency: the grail in media production and supply
Impact on cellular performance of Chinese Hamster Ovary cells
Media testing beyond cell growth
Perspectives in future media preparation

15:30– 16:00 Afternoon Tea/Coffee and trade show

16:00 – 16:30 Recent advances in photoporation technology for cell injection and transfection

Dr Maria Torres, University of St Andrews, Scotland, UK

The injection of exogenous materials into mammalian cells is an important and ubiquitous procedure in cell biology. Recently, the use of laser was realized as an effective means to transiently permeabilise the cell membrane allowing intracellular delivery of a variety of sustances such as plasmid DNA, siRNA, mRNA or nanoparticles. This technique called photoporation is a gentle, robust and highly efficient method for cell transfection. In this presentation, the recent progress in this field and the development of the photoporation technology will be discussed with the end users in mind.

16:30 – 17:00 Remodelling of mRNA translation in the cold during mammalian cell bioprocessing

Professor Mark Smales, University of Kent¸UK

Reduced temperature cultivation of mammalian cells is often used duirng both stable and transient expression of recombinant proteins to improve the yield and product quality. Upon such cold shock, mammalian cells activate a number of cellular responses including remodelling of mRNA translation. Here we will describe our understanding of this remodelling and the implications for bioprocessing.

17:00 Chairman’s summing up

Media partners

Dont forget to sign up to Euroscicons’ e-newsletter at www.euroscicon.com/signup.htm to keep up to date with European Life Science news and events and to be notified of the follow up to this event

This meeting was organised by Euroscicon (www.euroscicon.com), a team of dedicated professionals working for the continuous improvement of technical knowledge transfer to all scientists. Euroscicon believe that they can make a positive difference to the quality of science by providing cutting edge information on new technological advancements to the scientific community. This is provided via our exceptional services to individual scientists, research institutions and industry.

About the Chair

John Davis is Visiting Lecturer in Biotechnology at the University of Hertfordshire, and Chairman of the UK Branch of the European Society for Animal Cell Technology (ESACT-UK). After a degree in Biochemistry at Sheffield, he moved in 1974 to Renato Dulbecco’s laboratory where he was initiated into the art of cell culture. Following PhD studies in Leicester, he moved to Switzerland, working with both Norman Iscove and Georges Köhler, the latter starting him on his many years of research into the use of monoclonal antibodies, particularly in therapy. After a further postdoctoral position, at the University of Cambridge where he worked on the early stages of the development of Campath (Alemtuzumab; now also known as Lemtrada), he made the transition to industry, working first for PA Technology and then (for nearly 20 years) for the Bio-Products Laboratory. In 2007 he made the transition back to academia. In addition to undergraduate and postgraduate teaching, he now runs open courses on Basic Cell Culture and Intermediate/Advanced Cell Culture. He has served on both the UKCCCR subcommittee on the Use of Cell Lines in Cancer Research, and the EC task force on Good Cell Culture Practice. In addition he has edited a number of books on cell culture, including Basic Cell Culture: A Practical Approach, and (with Glyn Stacey) Medicines from Animal Cell Culture. His most recent book is Animal Cell Culture: Essential Methods, which was published in March 2011 by Wiley-Blackwell

About the Speakers

Maria Torres is currently a postdoctoral research fellow in Biophotonics at the University of St. Andrews, Scotland. She did her PhD studies in the same university, having obtained a prestigious Scottish University Physics Alliance (SUPA) prize studentship for her PhD. She works in collaboration with biologists in the field of neuroscience, breast cancer and embryology among many others to use the novel technique optical transfection for advance biological applications. Her expertise is on using a variety of lasers and microscopy systems to perform optical manipulation of single cells and developing embryo.

Katy Petherick is in her final year of a PhD investigating the role of autophagy in colorectal cancer at the University of Bristol, supervised by Professor Chris Paraskeva in the Tumour Biology group. Prior to commencing her PhD, Katy completed her degree at the University of Birmingham, which involved a year in industry at Cambridge Antibody Technology (now MedImmune).

Gary Lye is Professor of Biochemical Engineering within the Advanced Centre for Biochemical Engineering at University College London (UCL). He is Deputy Head of Department and Director of the Industrial Doctoral Training Centre (IDTC) in Bioprocess Engineering Leadership. He received his PhD in Biotechnology from the University of Reading in 1992. Between 1993 and 1996 he was successively a Research Fellow and then Lecturer in Chemical Engineering at Imperial College London and the University of Edinburgh. He joinedUCL in 1996. He has broad research interests on the application of microscale and automation techniques to rapid bioprocess design, optimisation and scale-up.

Thorsten Adams, molecular biologist, is product manager fermentation technologies at Sartorius Stedim Biotech. He was educated at the University of California, Berkeley and the University of Goettingen, where he obtained his Ph.D. from the department of microbiology and genetics in 2005. He worked as a scientist in technology development in several positions, latest at Morphosys in Munich, Germany. He developed cell culture expression and screening systems and is experienced in cell culture development using several production systems to large scale bioreactors. Dr. Adams was amongst the first users of single use upstream technology in the industry. He authored several papers, book chapters and patents. In 2007, he joined Sartorius Stedim Biotech, where he is responsible for product management of single use bioreactors. He is an expert for the implementation of single use bioreactor technology in upstream processes.

Jörg von Hagen is head of Merck Millipore Process Development R&D in Darmstadt (Germany). Having studied biotechnology and signal transduction in Giessen and Darmstadt, he received his academic degree with an award-winning thesis in 2001. Dr. von Hagen has more than 20 years of practical expertise in biotechnology, especially in molecular cell biology and proteomics.

Dusko Ilic, obtained his MD degree and BSci in Molecular Biology at the University of Belgrade, PhD at the Tokyo University, Japan, and postdoctoral training at the University of California in San Francisco. Before joining King’s College School of Medicine in London as a Senior Lecturer in Stem Cell Science, he held positions of Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of California San Francisco, Consultant at the Veteran Affairs Medical Center, San Francisco, and the Director of R&D at StemLifeLine, a California-licensed stem cell company. His current research interest lies in human embryonic stem (hES) cells, induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, cancer stem cells, and regenerative medicine.

Mark Smales work focusses upon furthering our understanding the cellular processes underpinning recombinant protein synthesis and quality from mammalain cells. He is currently Professor of Biotechnology at the University of Kent and the Director of the Center for Molecular Processing at Kent.

Keywords: cell, transfection, lasers, microscopy, Autophagy, Puncta, p62, Flux, cell, transfection, lasers, microscopy, dry powder, mammalian cell culture media, batch to batch consistency, human embryonic stem cells, clinical grade, cGMP, bioreactor, process development, large scale, upstream processes, recombinant protein production; cold-shock; CHO cells; cell engineering

POSTERS

Integrin Expression and Actin Conformation in CHO Suspension Cells

C. G. Walther*, M. Leonard**, D. C. James*

*Dept. Chemical and Biological Eng., Univ. of Sheffield, Mappin St., Sheffield, S1 3JD

**BioProcess Research and Development, Pfizer BioTX Pharm Sci, Andover, MA, USA

Biopharmaceutical manufacturing is predominantly based upon the use of mammalian cell lines capable of proliferation as single cells in suspension in a chemically-defined synthetic environment. This environment lacks exogenous growth factors, cell-matrix and cell-cell contacts – all of which usually contribute to proliferation and survival of fibroblastic cell types such as Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. CHO cells are routinely used as production vehicles in vitro; hence a lengthy “adaptation” process which successively selects clonal derivatives able to proliferate as single cells in suspension is a pre-requisite for successful bioprocess development. Virtually nothing is known of the underlying biological adaptations that permit particular cell clones to survive and proliferate in suspension. In this project we test the hypothesis that suspension adaptation requires changes to the complement of functional proteins at the CHO cell surface. We specifically target those involved in cell-matrix interactions, integrins. For fibroblastic cell types cultured in vitro disruption of integrin-mediated attachment to the extracellular matrix initiates apoptosis (termed anoikis in this context); integrins are also known to potentiate growth factor receptor (tyrosine kinase) signalling cascades, interact extensively with the cytoskeleton, mediate cell-cell cohesion and coordinate mechano-transduction, all of which are highly relevant to CHO cell performance in vitro.

Integrins in adherent cells are usually expressed in clusters at points of focal adhesions. Integrin expression levels and conformation were analysed using antibody specific probes against integrin a1, integrin a4 and integrin b1. We found increased abundance of those integrins in suspension cells in a regular, clustered distribution indicative of an active conformation despite absence of cell-matrix interaction. Analysis of the actin cytoskeleton revealed re-organisation of the actin cytoskeleton from a typical fibrillar morphology in adherent cells to a thick spherical sub-cortical sheath in suspension cells. The demonstrated re-enforcement of the spherical actin conformation by up-regulated integrin clusters on the cell surface of suspension adapted CHO cells could be a requirement to resist shear stress as experienced by stirring during suspension growth in a bioreactor. The spherical actin structure is also found in the un-adapted adherent cell line when cultured in suspension but these cells lack the regular distribution of integrin clusters on the cell surface. Hence re-enforcement of the spherical actin conformation by integrin clusters on the cell surface could be necessary for CHO cells to grow successfully in suspension.

Our data suggest that adaptation to suspension growth requires conservation, and even enhancement of integrins, both with respect to (i) their role as cell structural elements anchoring the plasma membrane to a sub-cortical actin sheath and (ii) constitutive activation of signalling pathways that promote proliferation via clustering.

Registration Web Site:

www.regonline.co.uk/cellculture2012

Post expires at 2:59pm on Friday March 9th, 2012

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2nd Annual Regulatory Cells in Autoimmunity event: Analysing and moderating function – 29 March 2012

sharac — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 16:54:40 +0000

2nd Annual Regulatory Cells in Autoimmunity event:

Analysing and moderating function

Thursday, 29 March 2012

The Penridge Suite, 470 Bowes Road, London N11 1NL

After our first very successful meeting we are pleased to announce our 2nd Annual Regulatory Cells in Autoimmunity event: Analysing and moderating function which will take place in London on the 29 March 2012

This event has CPD accreditation and will have a discussion panel session.

Meeting Chairs: Dr Elizabeth Jury , UCL, London, Professor Robert Barker, University of Aberdeen

On registration you will be able to submit your questions to the panel that will be asked by the chair on the day of the event

9:00 – 9:45 Registration

9:45 – 10:00 Introduction by the Chairs:

10:00 – 10:30 The induction of antigen-specific regulatory T cells for suppression of autoimmune disease

Professor David C Wraith, Professor of Experimental Pathology, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Bristol

This talk will compare and contrast different ways of inducing antigen-specific regulatory T cells. Effective control of autoimmunity may involve induction of foxp3 expressing cells or the generation of negative feedback mechanisms involving interleukin 10. Repetitive administration of soluble peptide induces peripheral tolerance. This is characterised by anergic, IL-10 secreting CD4⁺ T-cells with regulatory function. In a model of inflammatory autoimmune disease, IL-10 Treg cells retain the capacity to co-produce interferon gamma and concomitantly express T-bet, demonstrating their Th1 origin. IL-10 Treg cells suppress dendritic cell maturation, prevent Th1 cell differentiation and thereby create a negative feedback loop for Th1 driven immune pathology. Similar negative feedback loops for Th2 and Th17 driven pathologies will be described. The use of peptides for therapy of multiple sclerosis has been tested in a phase I/IIa clinical trial. The results of the trial will be discussed.

10:30 – 11:00 Talk to be confirmed

Professor James Brewer, University of Glasgow¸Scotland

11:00 – 11:30 Speakers’ photo then mid-morning break and trade show

11:30 – 12:00 The role of membrane lipids in the plasticity of T cell responses.

Dr Elizabeth Jury , UCL, London

Membrane lipid microdomains (lipid rafts) play an important role in T cell function by forming areas of high lipid order that facilitate activation. However, their role in regulating T cell differentiation and function remains controversial. I will reveal that by applying a new approach involving microscopy and flow cytometry, membrane lipid order can be characterized in ex vivo primary human CD4+ T cells. Ex vivo CD4+ T cells sustain a gradient of plasma membrane lipid order that influences their function in terms of immune synapse formation, proliferation and cytokine production. Importantly, T cell function can be altered by pharmacologically manipulating membrane order. This could represent a new mechanism to control T cell functional plasticity, raising the possibility that therapeutic targeting of membrane lipid order could direct altered immune cell activation in pathology.

12:00 – 13:00 Lunch and trade show

13:00 – 14:00 Question and Answer Session

Delegates will be asked to submit questions to a panel of experts. Questions can be submitted before the event or on the day

14:00 – 14:30 The role of soluble CTLA-4 in immune regulation

Dr Frank Ward, University of Aberdeen, Scotland

It is generally accepted that the CTLA-4 receptor isoform is crucial in regulating effector T cell responses, while alternatively spliced secretable soluble CTLA-4 has rarely been considered in this context. Here I present evidence that sCTLA-4 is actively secreted by T cells during antigen driven immune responses and contributes to extrinsic regulation of these effector responses. To analyse sCTLA-4 function, we developed a monoclonal antibody that selectively binds only the soluble isoform of CTLA-4. Analysis of sCTLA-4 in mice and human effector responses has revealed that functional blockade of sCTLA-4 offers potential for therapy in both cancer and autoimmune disease.

14:30 – 15:00 Afternoon Tea/Coffee and trade show

15:00 – 15:30 In depth characterization of autoreactive CD8 T cells responses in Type 1 Diabetes – twist of faith.

Dr Ania Skowera, King’s College London, UK

There is considerable evidence that the cytotoxic CD8 T cell response against β-cell peptides has the most direct role in pancreatic β-cell death in Type 1 diabetes. We have identified a highly distinctive HLA A*0201-associated peptide epitope derived from the preproinsulin (PPI) signal peptide 15-24 that exhibits glucose-dependent presentation on the surface of human β-cells in vitro. A CD8 T cell clone specific for PPI_15-24has a TCR that binds with much lower affinity (>270µM) compared to typical virus responses (KD 0.1-10µM) hence it is challenging to study such cells in disease. We have made significant progress in all these aspects by utilizing high-end technology to reveal key characteristics of autoreactive T cell clones including a crystal structure specific of the tri-molecular complex, phenotypically characterized the cells from in peripheral blood, started to dissect their clonotypic repertoire and addressed the mechanism via which autoreactive CD8 T cell clones can kill islet cell targets. This work aims to provide novel, in depth insight into autoimmune processes and offers strategies for immune intervention and prevention of the disease.

15:30– 16:00 Talk to be confirmed

Dr Milica Vukmanovic-Stejic, UCL Medical School, UK

16:00 – 16:30 Chairman’s summing up

Dont forget to sign up to Euroscicons’ e-newsletter at www.euroscicon.com/signup.htm to keep up to date with European Life Science news and events and to be notified of the follow up to this event

About the Chairs

Robert Barker holds a personal Chair in Immunology and leads the Immunology and Inflammation Research Programme at the University of Aberdeen. His research has for many years focused on the study of immune-mediated diseases, using red blood cells as model target antigens. The lessons learnt have now been extended to further understand the pathogenesis of a wide range of diseases in which the immune system plays an important role, including autoimmune haemolytic anaemia; haemolytic disease of the newborn; immune-mediated thrombocytopenia; Goodpasture’s disease; bullous skin diseases; atopy and asthma; viral and tumour immune evasion. The aim is to be able to control these diseases by manipulating immune regulation, particularly as mediated by regulatory T lymphocytes, and a number of projects are now undergoing commercial development for human trials. Professor Barker is currently a Trustee of the British Society for Immunology, the Groups’ Secretary of the British Society for Immunology, and a British Society for Immunology Autoimmunity Affinity Group Committee Member. He also serves as a member of the Research Committee of the Arthritis and Rheumatism Campaign.

Ania Skowera trained in Jagiellonian University in Krakow in Poland. , iInitially obtaining her masters and then moved to London. Her PhD at Kings’ College London was on immune activation in Gulf war-related illness. She then began to pursue an interest in autoimmune disease such as Type 1 Diabetes focusing in particular on autoreactive CD8 T cells. She has identified a highly distinctive HLA A*0201-associated peptide epitope derived from the preproinsulin (PPI) signal peptide 15-24. She has Then isolated a first autoreactive PPI_15-24-specific CD8 T cells clone from a patient that exhibits glucose-dependent killing of human β-cells in vitro. This work was recognized by aawarded with Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) Research Scholar Award.

David Wraith trained as an immunologist: since 1982 he has worked in the field of T cell biology and the role of T lymphocytes in protection from infection and in autoimmunity. His laboratory in Bristol focuses on the mechanism of antigen-specific immune desensitization. They have designed peptides for treatment of multiple sclerosis and conducted clinical trials of their use. His laboratory is currently defining the differentiation pathway of antigen induced Treg cells, focusing on the role of specific genes including IL-10 and CTLA-4.

Recent publications:

1) Verhagen, J., Gabrysova, L., Minaee, S., Sabatos, C.A., Anderson, G., Sharpe, A.H. and Wraith, D.C. Enhanced selection of FoxP3⁺ T-regulatory cells protects CTLA-4 deficient mice from CNS autoimmune disease. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. (USA) (2009) 106: 3306-3311

2) Gabrysova, L., Nicolson, K.S., Streeter, H.B., Verhagen, J., Sabatos-Peyton, C.A., Morgan, D.J., and Wraith, D.C. Negative feedback control of the autoimmune response through antigen-induced differentiation of IL-10-secreting Th1 cells. Journal of Experimental Medicine (2009) 206: 1755-1767

3) Wraith, D.C., Pope, R., Butzkueven, H., Holder, H., Vanderplank, P., Lowrey, P., Day, M.J., Gundlach, A.L., Kilpatrick, T.J., Scolding, N. and Wynick, D. A role for galanin in human and experimental inflammatory demyelination. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. (USA) (2009) 106: 15466-15471

4) Gabrysova, L. and Wraith, D.C. Antigenic strength controls the generation of antigen-specific IL-10-secreting T regulatory cells. European Journal of Immunology (2010) 40: 1386-1395

5) Sabatos-Peyton, C., Verhagen, J. & Wraith, D.C. Antigen-specific immunotherapy of autoimmune and allergic diseases. Current Opinion in Immunology (2010) 22: 609-615

Elizabeth Jury, an Arthritis Research UK Career Development Fellow, has worked at the Centre for Rheumatology Research, UCL since 2000. In this time she has opened up new avenues of research into signaling abnormalities in T and B cells from patients with SLE and RA making significant contributions towards understanding the nature of thesse abnormalities and how they relate to disease pathogenesis. The main focus of her research is to understand the role of plasma membrane, cellular and serum lipids on immune cell activation with the long-term aim to identify new targets for development of novel therapeutics.

About the Speakers

Prior to an academic career Dr Frank Ward spent nine years at ICI Agrochemicals where he operated as part of team that researched and developed fungicide leads. Later, he completed a PhD and worked as a postdoctoral researcher at King’s College London, investigating the molecular processes important for immunological tolerance in systemic lupus erythematosus. As a lecturer at the University of Aberdeen, he has focussed on the role that natural soluble CTLA-4 plays in these tolerogenic processes.

Keywords: T cell, co-stimulation, immune regulation, lipid rafts,diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis,NOD,MS, CD4, foxp3, IL-10, T-bet¸Th1, Th2, Th17, CTLA-4, TCR, CD8, β-cell, diabetes, HLA, preproinsulin¸PPI, islet cell

Registration Web Site: www.regonline.co.uk/autoimmune2012

Post expires at 4:48pm on Thursday March 29th, 2012

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The 2012 Histopathology Event: Advances in research and techniques – 30th March 2012

sharac — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 20:20:13 +0000

30th March 2012, The Oak Suite, W12 Conferences, The Hammersmith Hospital, London, W12 0HS

This is the 9^th Annual event (originally called Improving Immunohistochemistry) and is the flagship meeting for Euroscicon. Held in the centre of London this meeting draws together international experts to discuss the need for technical-based updates in the areas of immunohistochemistry, clinical and research based histopathology and in situ hybridisation. This meeting gathers together workings from clinical, academic and pharmaceutical organisations.

We include a troubleshooting panel session in this event, so that delegates can discuss their work directly with a panel of experts.

Meeting Chair: Dr Will Howat, Cambridge Research Institute, Cancer Research UK

9:00 – 9:45 Registration

9:45 – 10:00 Introduction by the Chair: Dr Will Howat, Cambridge Research Institute, Cancer Research UK

10:00 – 10:30 Immunohistochemistry and TMA’s in the Target Discovery Process

Arthur Lewis MedImmune, Cambridge

Establishing the link between target expression pattern and disease is a vital step in the drug discovery process. Here I will show how MedImmune is utilising immunohistochemistry (IHC) and Tissue MicroArrays (TMA) to frontload target expression analysis and build early human disease association data for novel and poorly validated therapeutic targets. For all potential antibody therapeutic targets it is important to demonstrates the target has a strong link with disease, has the right target tissue expression versus normal tissue, the right sub-cellular localisation suitable for targeting with an antibody and that correct distribution of antibody is achievable in vivo i.e. no significant antigen sink. This talk will give particular examples of how we are addressing these questions for targets expressed on tumour infiltrating immune cells to support our immune mediated killing therapeutic strategies and discuss the uses and limitations of TMA for this class of target.

10:30 – 10:45 Innovation within Histology

Dr Iris Nagelmeier, Targos, Kassel, Germany

This talk will discuss advances in Detection, Probes and Digital Pathology

10:45 – 11:15 Immunohistochemistry/In Situ Hybridization in Neuropathology – Diagnosis & Research

Dr Stephen McQuaid, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, UK

Immunohistochemistry in diagnostic neuropathology is used in the assessment of neurosurgical biopsies, muscle and CSF cytology and in autopsies. Furthermore neuropathological studies on human and small animal tissues are a major contributor to basic and applied research in the neurosciences reflecting the complexity and diversity of neurological disease. For example, immunohistochemical and in situ hybridization studies in neuropathology have played a lead role in identifying and elucidating the pathogenesis of a wide range of neurological diseases (including variantCJD and multiple sclerosis). Examples from diagnostic surgical neuropathology, dementia and research (virus detection in the CNS and MS) will be used to illustrate the cardinal role that immunohistochemstry/ISH plays in neuropathology. While traditional formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues form the basis of much of the studies on neuropathology specimens, examples of the optimal use of snap-frozen tissue sections and vibratome sectioning/confocal scanning laser microscopy in research will also be described.

11:15 – 11:45 Speakers’ photo then mid-morning break and trade show

11:45 – 12:00 Talk to be confirmed

Professor Peter Hamilton, Belfast University, Ireland and PathXL Ltd, Ireland

12:00 – 12:30 High throughput protein expression profiling of breast cancer: orders of probability

Raza Ali, CRUK Cambridge Research Institute, UK

Breast cancer is not one disease but a collection of related diseases. Current histopathological evaluation of breast cancer does not encompass this variety, severely impairing therapeutic decision making. Gene expression experiments have generated an alternative molecular classification of breast cancer identifying subgroups of patients with tumours defined by characteristic gene expression signatures and different clinical outcomes. Although several of these signatures have been commercialised there are concerns as to their clinical utility. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) has several advantages over gene expression assays and is already widespread in clinical pathology. The challenge of translating complex gene expression signatures into IHC assays of just a few markers has only been partly met. I will describe recent work, including our own, in translating these signatures. I will also describe our strategy for refining this classification and staying abreast of emerging molecular studies including our strategy for antibody selection, optimisation and exclusion. Finally, I will discuss the current contribution of IHC to the molecular classification of breast cancer.

12:30 – 13:30 Lunch and trade show

13:30 – 14:30 Question and Answer Session

Delegates will be asked to submit questions to a panel of experts. Questions can be submitted before the event or on the day

14:30 – 14:45 Fully automated TMA production – an essential tool for any Biobank

Dr Balwir Matharoo-Ball, Nottingham University Hospitals¸UK

Histopathology departments receive numerous tissue samples each day that require diagnostic analysis. Commonly this material is only available in small amounts, in particular tumour tissue, and may only be 2-5 mm thick which if sliced into tissue sections may only yield enough tissue for up to 100 arrays. For this reason the Nottingham Health Science Biobank which has approval for the use of excess archival material has opted to use the fully automated TMA GrandMaster tissue arrayer in conjunction with the Pannoramic 250 slide scanner to produce reproducible and cost saving TMA which can yield about 300 times this number. The technique could therefore generate 100,000 assays compared to 100 assays if just sections of samples were utilised.

14:45 – 15:15 Afternoon Tea/Coffee and trade show

15:15 – 15:30 Go forth and multiplex: Conquering the challenges of tissue imaging and analysis.

Ms Roslyn Lloyd, Caliper Life Sciences, UK

Tissue-based approaches to research are increasingly popular. However, imaging tissue sections poses additional challenges. In fluorescence, qualitative and quantitative reliability are compromised by auto-fluorescence, problems of overlapping chromogenic signals pose similar imaging difficulties in brightfield and the analysis of tissue images is far more difficult than for cultured cells; reliable methods for dealing with these are required.

A multispectral approach enables simultaneous imaging and quantitation of multiple analytes even when spatially and spectrally overlapping.

Dedicated tissue analysis software can be readily trained to separate the image into appropriate morphologic regions, e.g., cancer, stroma and inflammation. The selected regions are further analysed for specific cellular/subcellular localization of markers, which is used for quantitation of molecular data.

Combining these technologies within a slide sampling system allows the unsupervised high-throughput imaging, analysis, quantitation and scoring of tissues sections, either for whole slides or TMAs.

15:30– 16:00 Talk to be confirmed

Professor Jorge Reis-Filho , Chester Beatty Laboratories, The Institute of Cancer Research, London

16:00 – 16:15 Using whole slide image analysis to address research applications in pathology

Dr Kate Lillard , Aperio, UK

Aperio provides a complete solution for digitizing immunohistochemistry, from whole slide scanning to image analysis. Whole slide image analysis allows researchers to evaluate data objectively & consistently from slide to slide, without the bias associated with analyzing small snapshot images from the microscope. Aperio provides image analysis tools for analyzing all types of immunohistochemistry across whole slides, including nuclear markers, membrane proteins, colocalization of multiple stains, and microvessels. Dr. Lillard will discuss how Aperio image analysis can be used to quantitatively address common applications in experimental pathology.

16:15 – 16:45 In situ Proximity Ligation Assay (PLA) as a novel approach on breast cancer research

Fabricio Barros, University of Nottingham, UK

Novel techniques such as in situ proximity ligation assay (PLA, Olink, Sweden) can be a useful tool for detecting, visualising and quantifying the frequency of protein expression or protein-protein interactions in archival formalin-fixed paraffin embedded tissue samples. Interactions can be either detected using fluorescent or brightfield microscopy and it is possible to perform PLA using high-throughput technologies such as Tissue MicroArrays (TMAs).

Protein or protein-protein interaction measurements can be used to explore sub-cellular processes helping to disclose both upstream and downstream pathways to be targeted for pharmaceutical intervention avoiding resistance development that occur in the current treatments.

We have successfully used PLA to investigate the heterodimerisation of the HER family of receptors in a large series of HER2+ breast cancer to understand their role in response to targeted therapy.

16:45 – 17:00 Chairman’s summing up

Dont forget to sign up to Euroscicons’ e-newsletter at www.euroscicon.com/signup.htm to keep up to date with European Life Science news and events and to be notified of the follow up to this event

This meeting was organised by Euroscicon (www.euroscicon.com), a team of dedicated professionals working for the continuous improvement of technical knowledge transfer to all scientists. Euroscicon believe that they can make a positive difference to the quality of science by providing cutting edge information on new technological advancements to the scientific community. This is provided via our exceptional services to individual scientists, research institutions and industry.

About the Chair

Will Howat graduated with a BSC (Hons) in Immunology & Pharmacology from the University of Strathclyde, before gaining a PhD in Pathology from the University of Southampton. After two post-doctoral positions in Southampton, he moved to the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute in Cambridge as the leader of Research & Development for the Immunohistochemistry group of the Atlas of Protein Expression project. He is now with Cancer Research UK as the head the Histopathology/ISH facility at the Cambridge Research Institute.

About Our Speakers

Stephen McQuaid is a Principal clinical scientist in tissue pathology at the Royal Hospitals Trust, Belfast from 1990. Validated a wide range of immunocytochemical tests that are now used in diagnostic Neuropathology. Gained his MSc at QUB in 1991 for research into the optimization of non-radioactive in situ hybridization techniques and was awarded his PhD by QUB, for research into the neuropathogenesis of measles virus, in 1998. Main research interests are in tissue based studies in Multiple Sclerosis, paramyxovirus pathogenesis and high grade gliomas, for which he has been awarded or associated with more than £3 million in research funding. These studies are centered on histology, immunocytochemistry and confocal scanning laser microscopy. This work has been published widely >65 peer-review papers, and presented at a number of prestigious international conferences.

Assessor for the UK-NEQAS immunocytochemistry organisation in London specialising in Neuropathology. He has supervised numerous MSc, MPhil, MD and PhD students.

Roslyn Lloyd is PerkinElmers European Applications Scientist for tissue imaging. With a multidisciplinary educational background she also has 10 years multispectral imaging experience.

Iris Nagelmeier is a Pathologist who works in Germany for Targos in Kassel. Roche Diagnostics have worked with Dr Nagelmeier for the past 3 years who recognise her expertise in the field of Histology who in turn will evaluate new products and offers a realistic, independent and ethical response. Roche Diagnostics value the opinion of Dr Nagelmeier and have been able to improve products and develop new products to add to our portfolio knowing that customers will benefit as we continue to provide consistent Patient Healthcare for all patients battling with cancer.

Kate Lillard received a PhD in molecular genetics from the University of Cincinnati Medical Center in Ohio in 2004. After spending four years as a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Kate joined Aperio as an Applications Scientist and in 2009 she relocated to Oxfordshire to manage global applications support for Aperio.UK.

Fabricio Barros is concluding his Phd based on examination of expression amongst the HER family in a large series of breast cancer cases examining the clinical effect of co expression of the receptors and respective ligands. This research study is being developed using not only the standard histopathological techniques as immunohistochemistry and in situ Hybridisation but also using a novel approach (in situ Proximity Ligation Assay) to characterise HER2+ invasive breast tumours. This study is being performed at University of Nottingham within the Breast Cancer Research Group leaded by Prof. Ian Ellis and Dr. Andrew Green.

Arthur Lewis has over 11 years experience working within a research focused IHC group within the biotechnology industry working at MedImmune and formerly Cambridge Antibody Technology prior to its acquisition and integration with MedImmune by AstraZeneca in 2007.Arthur is currently the Senior R&D Manager at MedImmune Cambridge leading the Research Histology Group. He has gained a wealth of experience using IHC to support antibody drug projects in many disease areas across the drug discovery process, from target discovery, through lead selection and pharmacology model characterisation as well as experience of working on GLP compliant tissue cross-reactivity studies. His group’s current focus is to help drive new target identification and validation utilising IHC and other tissue based tools.

Dr Balwir Matharoo-Ball was appointed as the operational manager for translational research and Nottingham Health Science Biobank (NHSB) in January 2011. She leads a department of pathology based team of scientists, data analysts and a consent nurse who are sited at the David Evans Medical Centre in the City campus and at Queens Medical Center, Nottingham. Bal has a wealth of both research and NHS experience and prior to her appointment within the NHSB she worked as a senior group leader at the John van Geest Cancer Research Centre at Nottingham Trent University. She was in charge of the Proteomics group and has published in number of peer-reviewed journals.

Peter Hamilton is the Founder of PathXL Ltd and is the Head of the Bioimaging and Informatics Research Group at Queen’s University Belfast. For the past 25 years he has been leading research on computer vision and decision support in diagnostic cancer pathology and the identification of novel digital tissue and cell markers for diagnostics, prognostics and for predicting response to therapy in cancer. He has received multiple competitive grants, in excess of £7 million to support the research programme at Queens University. He sits on the committees of a number of major medical research organisations including the International Society for Cellular Oncology.

Key words: immunocytochemistry, in situ hybridization, confocal microscopy, TMA, Target Discovery, Validation, Human, Advances in Detection, Probes and Digital Pathology, image analysis, whole slide image analysis, pattern recognition, HER2, Dimerisation, Breast Cancer, Ligands, TMA, tissue micro array, slide scanning, Biobank, nottingham, Auto-fluorescence, multicolour immunohistochemistry, tissue segmentation.

Registration Web Site:

www.regonline.co.uk/hist2012

Post expires at 8:15pm on Friday March 30th, 2012

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Strategies for commercial success of biosimilars – 19 April 2012

sharac — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 16:09:05 +0000

Thursday, 19 April 2012

The Penridge Suite, 470 Bowes Road, London N11 1NL

Whilst biopharmaceuticals remain a major component of the global therapeutics market, the ever expanding portfolio of products losing patent protection and with increasing healthcare costs remaining a poignant issue, the opportunity for development of competing, follow on biologics remains an attractive proposition for both Biotech and Pharma companies alike. This Euroscicon biosimilars conference will focus on multiple aspects of biosimilar product development to successfully deliver safe, biosimilar products to the market place.

This event has CPD accreditation and will have a discussion panel session.

On registration you will be able to submit your questions to the panel that will be asked by the chair on the day of the event

Meeting Chair: Dave Simpson PhD, Director, Virodigm Ltd

9:00 – 9:45 Registration

9:45 – 10:00 Introduction by the Chair: Dave Simpson PhD, Director, Virodigm Ltd

10:00 – 10:30 Biosimilar Development: How do all the pieces fit together for registration in the EU.

Dr Anita Bate, Chief Scientific Officer, Eden Biodesign, UK

Development of any biological product through to registration is a multi-disciplinary excercise. Careful planning with all teams involved is required to ensure that the required elements for product registration are addressed. This presentation will provide a top level overview of how all the pieces fit together and some of the pitfalls to avoid along the way.

10:30 – 11:00 Process Development

Dr Gittan Gelius, Cobra Biologics, Germany

11:00 – 11:30 Speakers’ photo then mid-morning break and trade show

11:30 – 12:00 Device development for biosimilars

Andrew Pocock, Team Consulting Ltd, Cambridge, UK

12:00 – 13:00 Lunch and trade show

13:00 – 14:00 Question and Answer Session

Delegates will be asked to submit questions to a panel of experts. Questions can be submitted before the event or on the day

14:00 – 14:30 Analytical strategies

Dr Gerrard Powell, Senior Analytical Scientist Eden Biodesign

14:30 – 15:00 Afternoon Tea/Coffee and trade show

15:00 – 15:30 Biosimilars: Development Challenges and Considerations

Dr Raymond Donninger, Covance Inc, UK

Biosimilars are the next evolution in biopharmaceutical development and present unique challenges as well as opportunities. This talk focuses on the main considerations both in nonclinical and early clinical development of these compounds. The regulatory environment will also be discussed as this is a fundamental consideration in the development of any therapeutic product but in the field of biosimilars regulatory uncertainty drives a number of key challenges.

15:30– 16:00 Talk to be confirmed

16:00 – 16:30 Chairman’s summing up

Media partners

Dont forget to sign up to Euroscicons’ e-newsletter at www.euroscicon.com/signup.htm to keep up to date with European Life Science news and events and to be notified of the follow up to this event

About the Chair

David’s background is in cell line, process and analytical development, Tech Transfer and manufacturing of clinical products. Formerly of Eden Biodesign, David led the process development capabilities and post-acquisition by Watson Pharmaceuticals led the development and manufacturing of a recombinant FSH biosimilar product. David now owns an independent consultancy supporting all aspects of biopharmaceutical product and commercial development needs.

About the Speakers

Anita Bate is a co-founder of Eden Biodesign and is responsible for ensuring that the company maintains its technical skills for product development. In addition she has overall responsibility for CMC technical regulatory and technical diligence activities. Anita has a very broad skill base having held senior positions in the pharmaceutical industry managing both process and analytical development groups. She has worked on over 60 wide ranging client projects for Eden Biodesign as both consultant and project manager and has particular expertise in development genetics, due diligence for in licensing, viral safety strategy and CMC technical regulatory affairs.

Andrew Pocock’s background is in industrial design and engineering having a 1st Class degree from Teesside Polytechnic, and a Master of Design from the Royal College of Art, London. With over 20 years’ experience in product development consulting, Andy has encountered a range of technical and user based design challenges across a range of industries. He was Director of the Design Research Centre before coming to Team as Senior Consultant in 2000. He has since managed major medical device projects for international clients, with a particular focus in drug delivery.

Raymond Donninger joined Covance in January 2008 as an Early Development Program Manager with a particular focus on large molecule programmes. He has been involved in drug development in various forms for 16 years and specifically biotechnology product development for the past 9 years.

His experience ranges from manufacturing through to marketing of biotechnology products. Raymond has spent 9 years working in the field of biosimilar therapeutic proteins and has development, clinical use and commercial experience with these compounds in developing and developed markets. He is currently managing 6 biosimilar early development programmes that include fully integrated programme design, CMC, toxicology and clinical aspects.

He has experience in the fields of therapeutic proteins, nucleic acid therapeutics, small peptides, immunotherapies, cell therapies, vaccines and biosimilars. He has been responsible for the design, monitoring and reporting of GCP clinical studies as well as providing input on early biotechnology product development strategies. Raymond holds a B.Sc. Honours degree in Medical Biochemistry, a Medical degree and a Masters degree in Business Administration.

Keywords: biopharmaceutical, drug delivery, Biosimilar, Regulatory, CMC,EU, Product registration, Biosimilars, Biologicals, Regulatory, Monoclonal antibodies

Registration Web Site: www.regonline.co.uk/biosimilars2012

Post expires at 4:06pm on Thursday April 19th, 2012

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Innovations in Renewable Energies – 27th April 2012

sharac — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 12:33:07 +0000

Innovations in Renewable Energies

Friday, 27 April 2012 09:00 – 17:00

Peter Jost Enterprise Centre, Liverpool John Moore’s University, United Kingdom

The UK government has announced significant investment in renewable energy research throughout the UK. UK researchers have been involved in the development of many new processes and technologies. Some companies have found it sufficiently economical to build UK biorefineries. This meeting aims to bring researchers from all fields of renewable energy together to share experiences and the latest technologies employed, maximising UK-wide collaboration and looking at access to funding opportunities.

Meeting Chair: Professor Ahmed Al-Shamma’a, Liverpool John Moores University, UK

This event includes parellel sessions showcasing demonstration laboratory – the use of bioreactors, non-invasive sensors plus advanced microwave technologies.

Sponsor will showcase invasive and non-invasive sensor technologies plus automation and control

9:00 – 9:45 Registration

9:45 – 10:00 Introduction by the chair: Professor Ahmed Al-Shamma’a, Liverpool John Moores University, UK

10:00 – 10:30 The Algal Bioenergy Special Interest Group

Dr Michele Stanley, Scottish Marine Institute

The Natural Environment Research Coucil and the Technology Strategy Board are funding over the next 2 years an Algal Bioenergy Special Interest Group (AB SIG). This Network has been tasked with bring research to bear on understanding the opportunities and risks to the quality of freshwater and marine environments of using algal biomass as a source of renewable energy both at the academic and commercial levels.

10:30 – 10:45 BBSRC funding opportunites for the bioenergy sector

Dr Michael Booth, Strategy & Policy Officer , Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council , UK

The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) has identified Industrial Biotechnology and Bioenergy as one of its three high level strategic research priorites within the 2010 – 2015 strategic plan (http://www.bbsrc.ac.uk/publications/planning/strategy/priority-bioenergy.aspx). The BBSRC Sustainable Bioenergy Centre (BSBEC; http://www.bbsrc.ac.uk/research/biotechnology-bioenergy/bsbec/bsbec-index.aspx) is an example of our current funding in this area. Working both internally, across Research Councils and Internationally a number of funding opportunities have been developed to encourage further research within the bioenergy area. These will be presented here, along with a discussion on the mechanisms of industrial collabrations within BBSRC funding.

10:45- 11:15 Microwave enhancement of pretreatment, hydrolysis and fermentation in 2nd generation bioethanol production

Alex Stavrinides, Liverpool, UK

2nd generation cellulosic ethanol is limited by pretreatment and hydrolysis methods. Work conducted by the Radio Frequency group of Liverpool John Moores University as part of the “Micrograss” FP7 project has addressed pretreatment by microwave enhanced delignification of the biomass feedstock prior to hydrolysis. PhD work by A. Stavrinides (LJMU) has shown a fourfold increase in initial cellulase enzymatic rates and 42% yield increase on cellulosic materials by the use of isothermal microwave methods. The work presented highlights the variety of work being carried out in 2nd generation processing at LJMU.

11:15 – 11:45 Speakers’ photo then mid-morning break and trade show

11:45 – 12:15 A Thermophilic Solution for Cellulosic Ethanol: A Case Study

Dr Paul Milner, TMO Biotec Limited, Guildford

There is increasing global requirement for substantial quantities of biofuels, in particular cellulosic ethanol. Microbially produced cellulosic ethanol faces three major hurdles, high capital costs, high enzyme costs & efficient conversion of these mixed sugars into ethanol. TMO has developed a cellulosic ethanol process which reduces the major barriers to commercialization and delivers an economically viable process. This fully integrated process has been running successfully in TMO’s Process Demonstration Unit (PDU) for more than 3 years. The main process features will be illustrated with representative data from our lab, pilot and demonstration scale.

12:15 – 12:45 Talk to be confirmed

TBC, Sartorius Stedim UK Limited

12:45– 13:45 Lunch and trade show

13:45 – 14:45 Question and Answer Session

Delegates will be asked to submit questions to a panel of experts. Questions can be submitted before the event or on the day

14:45 – 15:15 Future Batteries for Energy Storage

Dr. Laurence Hardwick, The University of Liverpool, UK

Lithium-ion batteries have revolutionised portable electronics and will play a crucial role in the electrification of transport; however, the highest energy storage possible for Li-ion batteries is insufficient for the long-term needs of society, e.g. extended range electric vehicles. To go beyond the horizon of Li-ion batteries is a formidable challenge; there are few alternatives. New battery chemistries that could potentially deliver game-changing increases in energy storage will be discussed.

15:15 – 15:45 Afternoon Tea/Coffee and trade show

15:45– 16:15 Thin film solar cells

Professor Ken Durose, Stephenson Institute for Renewable Energy, Stephenson Institute for Renewable Energy, UK

This talk aims to give an overview of new and sustainable low cost solar cells, and to be an essential guide to how they work, what limits them and what we can expect to get from them. Many of the challenges for the solar revolution are centred on materials: there are opportunities for the enhance operation the photovoltaic devices and for transparent conducting electrodes used in their construction. This must be achieved sustainably and economically. Also I will attempt to answer the question: ‘Is a tree more efficient than a solar cell?’

16:15 – 16:45 Re-commercialisation of the Butanol Fermentation

Dr Edward M Green, Green Biologics Ltd

Biobutanol is an important commodity chemical with a global market worth approximately $5 billion and also a superior next generation biofuel. Biobutanol has the potential to substitute for both ethanol and biodiesel in the biofuel market estimated to be worth $247 billion by 2020.

The butanol fermentation process was first developed in the UK in 1912 and commercial production quickly spread around the globe, first to produce acetone for ammunitions and then later to produce butanol for paint lacquers. The fermentation process fell out of favour in the 1950’s when it could no longer compete with synthetic production from oil. We report on of the key technical advances required to drive down production cost and efforts on re-commercialisation.

16: 45 – 17:00 Chairman’s summing ups

Keywords: microalgae, macroalgae, bioenergy, environment and ecosystem services, Cellulusic Ethanol, Thermophil, Thin film solar cells, nano-wire, solar electricity, quantum electronics, thin-film; photovoltaic; solar cell, transparent conductor, lithium batteries, energy storage, BBSRC, funding, bioenergy, biobutanol, advanced fermentation, re-commercialisation, next generation biofuels, Microwave, biofuel, cellulosic, 2^nd generation, ethanol

About the Chair

Ahmed Al-Shamma’a is the director of Built Environment and Sustainable Research Institute (BEST) at the School of Built Environment. Ahmed has extensive research area covers a wide range of applied industrial science including advance technologies for renewable energies from waste including biodiesel, bioethanol and biobutanol, waste recycling, environmental and sustainable agendas, wireless sensors for the construction, healthcare, automotive and aerospace industries, Material processing, Bespoke software solution to monitor real time energy levels in various industrial applications and Near zero carbon initiatives for the energy sectors. Ahmed is one of the EU scientific officer on Renewable Energies and has obtained various supported applied research projects funded nationally and internationally by the EU, UK and USA Ministry of Defence, Carbon Trust, Technology Strategy Board and direct funding from industry with portfolio of various Knowledge Transfer programmes between academia and Industry. The success of the research has led to the establishment of three spin out companies in Liverpool John Moores University. Ahmed has published over 250 per reviewed scientific publications, 15 patents and coordinated over 20 research projects

About the Speakers

Michele Stanley is the Director of the AB-SIG network, hosted by the Technology Strategy Board Biosciences KTN. Michele was appointed on a secondment from the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) to the KTN Plant Sector team for one day per week over the two year duration of the AB-SIG. Michele is a Senior Lecturer in Marine Molecular Biology at SAMS and an internationally recognised expert in the field of algal biofuels. Michele brings extensive knowledge to the AB-SIG of commercial activities which use algal biomass for renewable energy and chemicals production, and the environmental considerations associated with the large-scale use of micro- and macro-algae.

Alex Stavrinides is a research scientist for the Radio Frequency and Microwave (RFM) group within the Built Environment and Sustainable Technology (BEST) Research Institute at Liverpool John Moores University. He recently completed his Ph.D. in isothermal microwave biology, designing a microwave system to enhance the cellulase function and modification of ethanogen metabolism. With a background in biotechnology, his research investigates field effects on biological systems at non-lethal energy densities. Alex, funded through FP7, has been involved in the physical and process design of the “Micrograss” reactor, as well as the provision of background biological research and the projects analytical testing.

Edward Green gained a Ph.D. in Biochemical Engineering from the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST) in 1993. Edward spent five years in academia at Rice University, Texas, US and at Gothenburg University, Sweden developing novel microbes for biofuels and chemicals. In 1998, he joined Agrol Ltd., a UK start up where he established a multi-disciplinary team that developed a high temperature ethanol process. In 2003 he founded Green Biologics Limited (GBL) to develop and commercialise the butanol fermentation. Edward has pioneered technical improvements in microbial fermentation processes for biofuel production over the past 20 years contributing to numerous scientific publications and patents.

Laurence Hardwick received a MChem in Chemistry in 2003 from the University of Southampton and a PhD in Chemistry from ETH-Zurich in 2006. Before joining the Stephenson Institute for Renewable Energy at the University of Liverpool he spent his postdoctoral time working at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and at the University of St Andrews investigating Li-ion battery electrode degradation mechanisms, lithium diffusion pathways through carbon and the chemical and electrochemical processes in Li-air cells.

Paul Milner graduated from Liverpool Polytechnic in 1984 before going to do a Masters degree in Biotechnology in1986. After 13 years working in academia & government research institutions, he moved to the industrial sector in 1999. Paul now has over 9 years experience working thermophilic bacilli & biofuels development

Ken Durose is Professor of Applied Physics in the new Stephenson Institute for Renewable Energy in the University of Liverpool. He has published over 140 papers on thin film solar cells and his research team is active in nanowire solar cells, transparent conductors, and new materials for solar energy.

Dont forget to sign up to Euroscicons’ e-newsletter at www.euroscicon.com/signup.htm to keep up to date with European Life Science news and events and to be notified of the follow up to this event

Registration Web Site:

www.regonline.co.uk/renewable2012

Post expires at 12:31pm on Friday April 27th, 2012

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Biomarker discovery: Driving technologies – 17th May 2012

sharac — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 17:05:23 +0000

Biomarker discovery: Driving technologies

17^th May 2012

The Penridge Suite, 470 Bowes Road, London N11 1NL

Biomarkers identifying biological and physiological entities associated with disease are taking an increasingly important place at the tables of drug discovery and personalised medicine. Their discovery in biosamples requires the combined use of genomics, proteomics and bioinformatics platforms. Whilst for their application, robust techniques combining exquisite sensitivity and specificity must be developed. This conference is focused on technologies that are driving advances in this area and their application at gene and expression level in solid and fluid biosamples. As such this conference is targeted to provide leading edge information to researchers within the academic, biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors.

We include a panel session in this event, so that delegates can discuss their work directly with a panel of experts.

This event has CPD accreditation

Meeting Chair: Dr Tony Warford, Warford Technology Ltd, Newmarket, Suffolk, UK

9:00 – 9:45 Registration

9:45 – 10:00 Introduction by the Chair: Dr Tony Warford, Warford Technology Ltd, Newmarket, Suffolk, UK

10:00 – 10:30 Begin with biomarkers

Dr Peter H Bach, Director: BioPharmaLogic LLC, Cambridge.

Biomarkers are key to drug development and personalised medicine. The identification of the “right” fit-for-purpose biomarker is complex and resource intensive. Small companies have modest potentials to implement a biomarker strategy, but can still ensure that they build their development programmes around potential biomarkers. A biomarkers strategy should be a core to the development of each molecule, and not a bolt on addition to clinical development. If undertaken as part of discovery-development transition there is a potential to help shape the assessment of possible biomarkers as part of nonclinical development so that they are credible when needed.

10:30 – 10:45 Talk to be confirmed

10:45 – 11:15 Talk to be confirmed

11:15 – 11:45 Speakers’ photo then mid-morning break and trade show

11:45 – 12:00 Talk to be confirmed

12:00 – 12:30 DNA and RNA biomarker demonstration in solid tissues

Dr Tony Warford, Warford Technology Ltd, Newmarket, Suffolk, UK

Tissue donated from surgical procedures represents an important resource for biomarker identification. In ideal circumstances ‘fresh’ or frozen tissue will provide high quality DNA and RNA for analysis in situ or after extraction. However, most samples are held in the vast repositories of formalin fixed paraffin wax embedded (FFPE) tissues. In these preparations nucleic acids are degraded, principally through the fixation process. Practically this means that extraction methods have to be refined, amplicons are size limited and the possibility of the generation of spurious gene signatures needs to be considered. However, in spite of these limitations FFPE preparations provide very valuable information for the development and assessment of nucleic acid based biomarkers.

12:30– 13:30 Lunch and trade show

13:30 – 14:30 Question and Answer Session

Delegates will be asked to submit questions to a panel of experts. Questions can be submitted before the event or on the day

14:30 – 14:45 Talk to be confirmed

14:45 – 15:15 The Development Of Robust Technically Qualified Immunohistochemistry based Feasibility Assays

Neil Gray, Team Leader, Molecular Pathology group, AstraZeneca R&D Oncology iMed
15:15– 15:45 Afternoon Tea/Coffee and trade show

15:45 – 16:00 Talk to be confirmed

16:00 – 16:30 Identification and quantification of cancer biomarkers using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry

Dr David J. Britton, Proteome Sciences plc, Institute of Psychiatry, London

Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry based proteomics can identify and quantify a multitude of proteins and post translational modifications from many different sample types (cell culture, tissue, plasma, etc). We have used this technology to identify new biomarkers and developed quantitative assays to measure the abundance of known biomarkers.

16:30 – 17:00 Chairman’s summing up

Taking the heat out of chaperokine function – 23 May 2012

sharac — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 09:46:54 +0000

Taking the heat out of chaperokine function

Wednesday, 23 May 2012

The Penridge Suite, 470 Bowes Road, London N11 1NL

The meeting will explore the diverse functions of heat shock proteins over and above their action as chaperones and stress indicators. The role of HSPs in health and disease and their potential as immunemodulators will be examined and discussed.

This event has CPD accreditation and will have a discussion panel session.

On registration you will be able to submit your questions to the panel that will be asked by the chair on the day of the event

Meeting Chair: Dr Lesley Bergmeier, CBiol, MIBiol, PhD, FHEA

Institute of Dentistry, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, UK

9:00 – 9:45 Registration

9:45 – 10:00 Introduction by the Chair: Dr Lesley Bergmeier, CBiol, MIBiol, PhD, FHEA.

Institute of Dentistry, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, UK

10:00 – 10:30 Heat Shock Protein 70 induces cytotoxicity of T-helper cells and augmented the immunosuppressive capacity of FoxP3+ T regulatory cells
Professor Britta Eiz-Vesper, Institut für Transfusionsmedizin, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Germany
Heat shock proteins (HSPs) play a regulatory role for maturation of antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and gained plenty of attention because of its potent adjuvant capability to induce antigen-specific CD8+ cytotoxic T-lymphocyte and CD4+ T-helper cell responses, but the mechanism how HSP70 affects the immunosuppressive function of Tregs is still unknown. Our data pro-vide novel insights into the role of extracellular HSP70 and Calreticulin on antigen presentation, maturation of APCs as well as T-cell immune response.

10:30 – 11:00 Function of hspB1 in inflammation
Dr Jonathan Dean, University of Oxford, UK
Heat shock protein B1 (human hsp27, or the murine orthologue hsp25) has long been known to be phosphorylated in cells in response to pro-inflammatory stimuli. Purification of activities responsible for its phosphorylation led to the identification of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway, one of the major signalling pathways in inflammation. Despite being a downstream component of the p38 pathway the role of hspB1 in inflammation has remained obscure until recently. I will outline progress in our understanding of the function of hspB1 in inflammation.

11:00 – 11:30 Speakers’ photo then mid-morning break and trade show

11:30 – 12:00 Talk to be confirmed

Dr Valerie Corrigall, Kings College London, UK

12:00 – 12:30 Talk to be confirmed

Professor Graham Pockley, University of Sheffield, UK

12:30 – 13:30 Lunch and trade show

13:30 – 14:30 Question and Answer Session

Delegates will be asked to submit questions to a panel of experts. Questions can be submitted before the event or on the day

14:30– 15:00 Afternoon Tea/Coffee and trade show

15:00 – 15:30 Specialised functions of the Hsc70 chaperone system

Dr Paul Chapple, William Harvey Research Institute, London, UK

In humans there are 13 different Hsp70 proteins and approximately 50 J proteins. This diversity of cochaperone J proteins allows the recruitment of Hsp70 family members to multiple cellular locales and clients, mediating functions beyond de novo protein folding and quality control. Specialized function of the Hsc70 chaperone system will be illustrated using examples from our recent work that link to human disease. This will include evidence for Hsc70 functioning to promote traffic to the cell surface of melanocortin-4 receptor. Data linking Hsc70 to the regulation of mitochondrial dynamics through the J protein sacsin will also be outlined.

15:30 – 16:00 Bacterial molecular chaperones: moonlighting proteins involved in bacterial virulence

Professor Brian Henderson, Eastman Dental Institute, London, UK

Protein moonlighting describes the phenomenon of proteins having more than one unique biological function. It turns out that a number of bacterial pathogens use well known proteins in their virulence behaviour. A major group of such proteins are the molecular chaperones with major pathogens such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Helicobacter pylori and Chlamydia pneumoniae using such proteins to aid in the infectious process. A detailed description of the use of molecular chaperones in bacterial virulence will be provided.

16:00 Chairman’s summing up

Dont forget to sign up to Euroscicons’ e-newsletter at www.euroscicon.com/signup.htm to keep up to date with European Life Science news and events and to be notified of the follow up to this event

About the Chair
Lesley Bergmeier is Senior Lecturer in Applied Mucosal Immunology in the Institute of Dentistry at Queen Mary, University of London. Her career has focused on mucosal immunity research with early work on the development of a vaccine against dental caries. She then went on to investigate mucosal vaccine candidates for HIV/SIV and the use of heat shock proteins as adjuvants. She has contributed to studies on the immune modulation of HSPs in both Behçet’s disease and Crohn’s disease and continues to work in the Behçet’s field where her interest now focuses on the induction of the pro-inflammatory cytokine nature of this autoimmune/auto inflammatory disease.

About the Speakers
Jonathan Dean studied for his PhD at the University of Sheffield before taking up a post-doctoral fellowship at the Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology Division, Imperial College London. In 2003 he became Lecturer in Cell Signalling at the Kennedy which recently joined the University of Oxford. His research focuses pro-inflammatory signalling downstream of p38, including post-transcriptional regulation by the RNA-binding protein, TTP and the small heat shock protein.

Brian Henderson is Professor of Biochemistry at UCL’s Eastman Dental Institute and is one of the early discoverers that bacteria secrete molecular chaperones which signal to host cells. This has led on to the thesis that bacteria use their molecular chaperones as secreted moonlighting proteins which aid in the process of bacterial virulence.

Paul Chapple was awarded a PhD by UCL in 1997. His PhD studied the role of molecular chaperones in environmental adaptation. The majority of my postdoctoral research was undertaken in the laboratory of Mike Cheetham at the Institute of Ophthalmology UCL, where he researched the cell biology of chaperones with links to neurodegenerative disease. He also spent a year working with Jean-Marc Gallo at the MRC Centre for Neurodegeneration Research KCL. He moved to Barts and the London Medical School QMUL as a lecturer in 2005 and was promoted to reader in 2010. His current research investigates specialized chaperone systems..

Keywords: HSP, imunnemodulation, adjuvant, regulatory, signalling,hspB1, hsp27, inflammation, inflammatory gene expression, HSP70, Calreticulin, dendritic cells, regulatory T cell, Bacterial diseases, protein moonlighting, virulence factors, molecular chaperones, Hsc70, J protein, neurodegeneration, sacsin, trafficking

Registration Web Site: www.regonline.co.uk/chap2012

Post expires at 9:44am on Thursday May 24th, 2012

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Multidisciplinary integrated approaches to understand evasion of host immune responses by pathogens – 20 June 2012

sharac — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 16:16:42 +0000

Wednesday, 20 June 2012

The Penridge Suite, 470 Bowes Road, London N11 1NL

Infectious disease are still a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Successful treatment and prevention are still hampered by insufficient understanding of the subtle interactions that govern the infectious processes. Evasion of the natural or vaccine-induced immune response is often at the basis of the onset and escalation of disease and can also result in the persistence of the pathogen in chronic infections. This EuroSciCon meeting will be a premier forum for the presentation of cutting-edge research on key mechanisms used by different classes of pathogens to evade host innate and acquired immunity. The meeting will contribute to steer the course of future research into more rational measures to prevent disease in humans and animals.

Meeting Chair: Dr Pietro Mastroeni, Cambridge University, UK

This event has CPD accreditation and will have a discussion panel session.

On registration you will be able to submit your questions to the panel that will be asked by the chair on the day of the event

9:00 – 9:45 Registration

9:45 – 10:00 Introduction by the Chair: Dr Pietro Mastroeni, Cambridge University, UK

10:00 – 10:30 Molecular mechanisms of immune evasion in African trypanosomes
Dr. Gloria Rudenko, Imperial College, London
The African trypanosome Trypanosoma brucei is a parasite causing African Sleeping Sickness. Trypanosomes are unusual, in that they multiply extracellularly in the blood where they are exposed to continuous immune attack. Key to their survival is a highly sophisticated strategy of antigenic variation of a protective Variant Surface Glycoprotein (VSG) coat. We have discovered that VSG synthesis is monitored during the T. brucei cell cycle, and blocking its synthesis triggers a very precise cell cycle arrest. In addition, we are trying to understand how VSG expression is controlled at the level of transcription.

10:30 – 11:00 Fungal sensing of mammalian cytokines for adaptation and evasion of host immune defenses.
Dr Rossana Iannitti, University of Perugia, Italy
Infections by opportunistic fungi have traditionally been viewed as the gross result of a pathogenic automatism which makes a weakened host more vulnerable to microbial insults. However, fungal sensing of a host’s immune environment might render this process more elaborate than previously appreciated. As a consequence, microbes must possess specialized systems that sense and promptly respond to immune activation. IL-17A binds fungal cells, likely acting on both host and fungal structures in experimental settings of host colonization and/or chronic infection. The augmented adhesion and filamentous growth eventually translated into enhanced biofilm formation and resistance to local antifungal defenses. This might exemplify a mechanism whereby fungi have evolved a means of sensing host immunity to ensure their own persistence in an immunologically dynamic environment and evasion of host immune defenses.

11:00 – 11:30 Speakers’ photo then mid-morning break and trade show

11:30 – 12:00 Host entry by herpesviruses
Dr Philip Stevenson, University of Cambridge, UK
Herpesvirus infections are common and cause much disease. Viral immune evasion makes them hard to clear. Inhibiting host entry is therefore important for infection control. However, how host entry occurs remains largely unknown. We have identified the olfactory neuroepithelium as an entry point for two unrelated herpesviruses – MuHV-4 and HSV. Both bind to heparan sulfate (HS). While most differentiated epithelia express only basolateral HS, neuroepithelial HS is also apical, allowing incoming virions to bind. Many herpesviruses bind to HS, and there is circumstantial evidence that several infect nasally. Therefore neuroepithelial interventions could be broadly effective at herpesvirus infection control.

12:00 – 12:30 The impact of Salmonella on adaptive immunity

Professor Adam Cunningham, University of Birmingham

The interaction between the adaptive immune system and Salmonella after systemic infection will be discussed. The innate immune system plays a vital role in preventing the uncontrolled expansion of the infection. Nevertheless, to resolve infection and prevent further re-infection CD4 T cells and antibody are required and mechanisms used by the organism to avoid the engagement or function of adaptive responses may provide an advantage to the pathogen. Our recent findings show that this can happen in unexpected ways, suggesting that Salmonella interferes with adaptive immunity on a systemic level, including sites where bacteria do not colonize.

12:30 – 13:30 Lunch and trade show

13:30 – 14:30 Question and Answer Session

Delegates will be asked to submit questions to a panel of experts. Questions can be submitted before the event or on the day

14:30 – 15:00 Afternoon Tea/Coffee and trade show

15:00 – 15:30 Spatiotemporal dynamics of Salmonella enterica infections

Dr Andrew Grant, University of Cambridge, Cambridgeshire

Salmonella enterica are a major threat to public health. Current treatments are not sufficiently effective, and there is a need to develop new therapeutic strategies. Our multidisciplinary approach provides an unprecedented insight into the dynamics of bacterial infection biology at different scales; from the direct interaction of an individual bacterium with a host cell, to the analysis of global traits of innate host resistance and in vivo spread and distribution of bacteria in the body. This work in the long term will provide knowledge and a technological basis for targeting individual bacterial components in vivo with novel drugs and vaccines.

15:30– 16:00 Immunomodulation by Helminth Parasites – a Molecular and Cellular Dialogue

Professor Rick Maizels, University of Edinburgh, Scotland

Helminths are multicellular worm parasites which are highly prevalent in humans and animals in many parts of the world. Helminths effectively down-regulate host immunity, and in so doing significantly reduce allergies and autoimmunity. Our laboratory is decoding the molecular and cellular interactions between helminths and the host immune system which underpin these observations. For example, we have identified a parasite mimic of TGF-beta which induces immunosuppressive Foxp3+ regulatory T cells. Understanding the pathways of helminth immunomodulation may identify new strategies to both boost immunity to infections in endemic countries and ameliorate the immunopathological disorders of developed countries.

16:00 – 16:30 Chairman’s summing up

Media partners

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About the Chair

Pietro Mastroenis’ research is multidisciplinary and focuses on pathogenesis and immunity to bacterial infections and on vaccine development. His group has developed new biological and mathematical approaches to study the interaction of bacteria with individual cell in vivo and to analyse the interplay between bacterial virulence genes and host resistance genes/mechanisms.

He is actively involved in the study of the cross-talk between different cell populations in the initiation and expression of host immunity to bacteria. His research also investigates the role of innate cell receptors (e.g. TLRs) and acquired immune receptors (e.g. FcR) in infection control and vaccine function.

Other collaborative lines of research are exploring new areas within infection such as the interplay between microbes and autoimmune diseases and the possibility to use recombinant bacteria as anti-cancer agents. He is also involved in the forefront research on emerging diseases such as Clostridium difficile infections.

About the Speakers
Gloria Rudenko is a Wellcome Senior Research Fellow and Reader in Molecular Microbiology in the section of Infection and Immunity, Division of Cell and Molecular Biology, Imperial College London-South Kensington. Dr. Rudenko has an MSc. from the University of Leiden, the Netherlands and a PhD from the University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands and Columbia University, NY, USA. The Rudenko lab focuses on investigating the molecular and cellular biology of African trypanosomes, particularly with regards to the molecular mechanisms of immune evasion.

Philip Stevenson,Clinical medicine up to 1993, PhD Oxford 1997 – immune responses to influenza virus infection in the central nervous system, post-doc, Peter Doherty’s lab, Memphis, TN – CD8+ T cell response to persistent infection, 1999 – clinical lecturer in virology, Cambridge – T cell evasion by gamma-herpesviruses, 2001 – MRC clinician scientist, Division of Virology, Cambridge – herpesvirus pathogenesis and immune evasion, 2006 – Wellcome Trust senior clinical fellow,Division of Virology, Cambridge – herpesvirus pathogenesis and immune evasion, 2006 – Wellcome Trust senior clinical fellow, Division of Virology, Cambridge – antibody evasion by Murid Herpesvirus-4

Rossana Iannitti is a Research Fellow in the Department of Experimental Medicine and Biochemical Sciences in the section of Microbiology, at the University of Perugia under the guidance of Prof. Luigina Romani. Dr Iannitti has a MSc. in Biology and PhD in Biology and Experimental Medicine at the University of Perugia. The Romani lab focuses on investigating pathogenesis and immunity to fungal infections particularly with regards to approaches to study the interaction of fungi with mammalian host in vivo and to analyze the interplay between fungal virulence and host resistance mechanisms.

Andrew Grant is a Senior Research Associate in the Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge. Dr Grant has a PhD (in Molecular Microbiology) and a BSc (in Biochemistry with Pharmacology) from The School of Biological Sciences, University of Southampton. The Grant lab combines state-of-the-art microbiological, molecular, imaging and mathematical modeling techniques to investigate bacterial pathogens of veterinary and clinical significance. Current projects are broad-ranging and multidisciplinary, from understanding the roles of individual bacterial proteins in virulence to studying within-host population dynamics.

Rick Maizels is in the University of Edinburgh’s Institute of Immunology and Infection Research. He is an immunologist interested in fundamental questions of how and why parasites manipulate the sophisticated mammalian immune system, and how that system has evolved in the face of parasite immunomodulatory strategies. Before moving to Edinburgh in 1995, Rick was Professor at Imperial College London. Prior to this, he held positions at the National Institute for Medical Research in London, UCLA and California Institute of Technology. He was elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 2002, and made a Senior Fellow of the American Asthma Foundation in 2010.

Adam Cunningham was awarded his PhD from Southampton University for studies on the immune response to chlamydial infection. He then did post-doctoral work on mycobacterial infections and on the development of antibody responses in Birmingham. As a RCUK Roberts Fellow he developed a programme of work examining how immune responses develop to vaccines and pathogens such as Salmonella. In 2011 he was appointed Chair in Functional Immunity in Birmingham.

Keywords: Antigenic variation, Trypanosoma brucei, Variant Surface Glycoprotein, Immune evasion,trypanosomes,IL-17A, TOR pathway, autophagy, fungi,herpesvirus, host entry, antibody, pathogenesis, Infection, Dynamics, Bacteria, Pathogenesis, Salmonella, Allergy, Immunity, Nematode, Regulation, Vaccine, Salmonella, T cells, B cells, antibody

Registration Web Site: www.regonline.co.uk/host2012

Post expires at 4:14pm on Wednesday June 20th, 2012

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Forum for Disaster Victim Identification-29 June 2012

sharac — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 12:04:39 +0000

Friday, 29 June 2012

The Penridge Suite, 470 Bowes Road, London N11 1NL

The procedure of identifying victims of disasters either major (such as terrorist attacks or earthquakes) or smaller (such as aeroplane crashes) cannot rely on visual recognition alone. Comparison of fingerprints, dental records and / or DNA samples with ones stored in databases or taken from victims’ personal effects are often required to obtain a conclusive identification.

This inaugural networking event will gather together experts in DVI to discuss current legislation and techniques involved in DVI

This event has CPD accreditation and will have a discussion panel session.

On registration you will be able to submit your questions to the panel that will be asked by the chair on the day of the event

Meeting Chairs
Dr Phil Marsden, President, The British Association for Forensic Odontology, UK
Dr Vivienne Levy, Councillor- New Zealand Society of Forensic Odontology, NZ

9:00 – 9:45 Registration

9:45 – 10:00 Introduction by the Chairs:

Dr Phil Marsden, President, The British Association for Forensic Odontology, UK
Dr Vivienne Levy, Councillor- New Zealand Society of Forensic Odontology, NZ

10:00 – 10:30 The role of forensic anthropology in Disaster Victim Identification

Professor Sue Black, Centre for Anatomy and Human Identification, University of Dundee, Scotland
Every disaster is unique and not all will require a forensic anthropologist. This talk will discuss what the subject can add to the identification process and when it should be utilised.

10:30 – 11:00 Talk title to be confirmed

Dr. Tim Clayton, Forensic Science Service Ltd, UK.

11:00 – 11:30 Speakers’ photo then mid-morning break and trade show

11:30 – 12:00 Identity vs Identification in the 21^st Century: The Forensic Use of Jewellery in Disaster Victim Identification

Maria M Maclennan, Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design, The University of Dundee, Scotland
The increased occurrence of mass disasters in recent years means forensic experts have had to become more adept at utilising alternative means of identification should traditional methods fail. Primary methods of identification such as DNA, odontology and fingerprinting are crucial weapons in establishing identification, but can often be diminished in an extreme disaster environment. Jewellery has long been a signifier of personal identity, marking its wearer as a member of a particular religion, cultural group or life stage. This talk will discuss how design research can assist in utilising jewellery as a method of forensic identification in a Century where our individual personal identities are increasingly under attack.

12:00 – 12:30 Collection and preservation of biological material for disaster victim identifiation

Dr Eleanor Graham, Northumbria University, UK

As DNA can be recovered from any biological material, DNA profiling it has proven to be an invaluable method for personal identification following mass fatality incidents which result in disruption of the body, when other primary methods of identification may not be applicable. DNA profiling will only be applicable if a sufficient quantity and quality of DNA can be recovered from the collected material. This talk will describe the types of material which may be collected and will invite discussion of best practice for collection, storage and transportation methods of such material following a variety of incident types.

12:30 – 13:30 Lunch and trade show

13:30 – 14:30 Question and Answer Session

Delegates will be asked to submit questions to a panel of experts. Questions can be submitted before the event or on the day

14:30 – 15:00 The role of computed tomography in mass fatality incidents

Professor Guy Rutty, MBE. , East Midlands Forensic Pathology Unit, Leicester, United Kingdom (talk straight after lunch)

This talk will discuss the role of cross sectional imaging including matters related to identification, and cause of death in mass fatality incidents. It will indicate the infra structure that is required in the use of radiology in these circumstances.

15:00 – 15:30 Afternoon Tea/Coffee and trade show

15:30– 15:45 Talk title to be confirmed

TBC, Cellmark, Oxfordshire, UK

15:45 – 16:00 Selected oral presentations

16:00 – 16:30 Talk title to be confirmed

Dr Vivienne Levy, Councillor- New Zealand Society of Forensic Odontology, NZ

16:30 – 17:00 Talk to be confirmed

Dr Roger Summer, UK

17:00 Chairman’s summing up

Media partners

Dont forget to sign up to Euroscicons’ e-newsletter at www.euroscicon.com/signup.htm to keep up to date with European Life Science news and events and to be notified of the follow up to this event

About the Chairs

About the Speakers

Eleanor Graham is a Lecturer in Forensic Science in the Department of Chemical and Forensic Sciences, School of Life Science. She studied for her first degree in Biochemistry at the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST) before completing an MSc in Biomolecular Archaeology jointly run by UMIST and the University of Sheffield. She then moved to the University of Leicester to complete her PhD under the supervision of Professor Guy Rutty, where she stayed to work as a Post-Doctoral Research Associate between before taking up her position at Northumbria University.

Eleanor is a member of the Forensic Science Society, the International Society of Forensic Genetics and the British Association for Human Identification. In 2008, she got the ‘highly commended’ for ‘The University Biopsy Tool’ at the 2008 Da Vinci Health Technology awards.

Maria Maclennan is a Designer Researcher and current PhD Scholar at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design (DJCAD) at The University of Dundee. She is currently undertaking an ESRC CASE PhD Scholarship in collaboration with the University’s world-renowned Centre for Anatomy and Human Identification (CAHID).

Maria’s Doctoral research into ‘Forensic’ Jewellery is primarily concerned with exploring how design methods can be employed to better utilise jewellery in the forensic process of Disaster Victim Identification (DVI). Maria previously graduated with a Bachelor of Design (with Honours) in Jewellery and Metal Design and a Master of Design (with Distinction).

Sue Black is director of the Centre for Anatomy and Human Identification. Awarded OBE for services to forensic anthropology in Kosovo. Awarded Police Commendation from ACPO for DVI training. Lead Anthropologist on Mass Fatalities Home Office committee. Lead Anthropologist on Interpol sub-committee for DVI. Author of two texts on DVI.

Eleanor A.M. Graham graduated from the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST) in 2000 gaining a BSc (Hons) in Biochemistry. This was followed in 2002 by an MSc in Biomolecular Archaeology at the University of Sheffield. Eleanor studied for her PhD in Forensic DNA Profiling at the East Midlands Forensic Pathology Unit, University of Leicester, graduating in January 2008. Her research interests include DNA transfer and persistence and the application of low-template DNA profiling methods to casework scenarios. She is currently employed as a lecturer in forensic science at Northumbria University.

Guy Rutty holds the Foundation Chair in Forensic Pathology at the University of Leicester where he is Chief Forensic Pathologist. His principal work relates to the provision of forensic pathology services to HM Coroners and police forces of the East Midlands. He also provides forensic pathology services to other police forces of the United Kingdom as well as opinion work for both prosecution and defence for solicitors and police forces alike. He provides forensic pathology and mass disaster services to police forces and countries internationally. In addition he has published over 200 publications including original peer reviewed papers, review articles, editorials, case reports, letters and abstracts (those related to national and international meetings), and was the founder Editor-in-Chief of the International Forensic Journal, Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology which I edited until December 2008.

Awards include; Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE), Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioners Commendation

Most relevant, Professor Rutty is a member of the Pathology Sub Committee of the Steering Committee for Disaster Victim Identification for Interpol and the Chair of the Forensic Imaging Sub Committee of the Interpol DVI Pathology Sub Committee

Keywords: Forensic Anthropology, Anatomy, Identification, DVI, Forensic Jewellery, Design Research, Identity, Emergent Identification Technologies, Disaster Victim Identification, DNA, collection, storage, transportation, disaster victim identifiation, computed tomography, mas fataility, identification, logistics, cause of death

Registration Web Site: www.regonline.co.uk/DVI2012

Post expires at 12:02pm on Friday June 29th, 2012

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Inducing and Breaking Tolerogenic Antigen-Presenting Cell Function – 05 July 2012

sharac — Thu, 26 May 2011 08:19:18 +0000

Inducing and Breaking Tolerogenic Antigen-Presenting Cell Function

The Penridge Suite, London, N11 1NL, UK : Thursday, 05 July 2012 09:00 – 17:00

Professional antigen-presenting cells (APC) such as dendritic cells (DC) and macrophages play a critical role in the initiation and maintenance of a T cell-mediated immune response. APC are essential for T cell priming, differentiation and activation in lymphoid tissue and at sites of inflammation. Understanding the molecular mechanisms via which APC function can be controlled may give novel insights into how T cell mediated immunity may be induced or blocked. This meeting will highlight current research aimed at inducing APC with tolerogenic function in order to treat inflammatory disease (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis) as well as work aimed at boosting the immunostimulatory function of APC in the context of cancer. The meeting will also highlight recent progress on the suppressive effects of CD4+ regulatory T cells on APC function, and how these can be overcome.

This event has CPD accreditation and will have a discussion panel session.
On registration you will be able to submit your questions to the panel that will be asked by the chair on the day of the event

Meeting chairs: : Dr Leonie Taams, Senior Lecturer in Immunology, King’s College London Centre for Molecular and Cellular Biology of Inflammation and Dr Catharien Hilkens, Reader in Immunotherapy, Newcastle University , UK

9:00 – 9:45 Registration

9:45 – 10:00 Introduction by the Chairs: Dr Leonie Taams, Senior Lecturer in Immunology, King’s College London Centre for Molecular and Cellular Biology of Inflammation, Dr Catharien Hilkens, Reader in Immunotherapy, Newcastle University, UK

10:00 – 10:30 Induction and administration of tolerogenic DC in RA
Dr Catharien Hilkens, Newcastle

10:30 – 11:00 Selective ERK activation in dendritic cells for the treatment of arthritis
Dr David Escors, UCL, London
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease characterized by chronic joint inflammation and destruction. However, arthritogenic antigens are unknown and most therapeutic treatments rely on immunosuppressive drugs. We demonstrate that co-delivery of a specific ERK activator with a model antigen induces antigen-specific immune suppression by differentiation of regulatory dendritic cells (DCs) and antigen-specific regulatory T cells (Tregs). Differentiated Tregs strongly proliferate after antigen re-encounter in inflammatory conditions and exhibit antigen-dependent suppressive activities. The suppressive activity of ERK activation depended on secretion of high levels of TGF-beta from mouse and human DCs. In vivo administration of the ERK activator inhibited inflammatory arthritis.

11:00– 11:30 Mid-morning break, Poster Viewing and Trade Show

11:30 – 12:00 Boosting the immunostimulatory function of dendritic cells in an immunosuppressive tumour environment
Dr Sandra Diebold, King’s College London, London, UK

12:00 – 12:30 Oral presentations

12:30 – 13:30 Lunch, Poster Viewing and Trade Show

13:30 - 14:00 Question and Answer Session and Speakers photo

Delegates will be asked to submit questions to a panel of experts. Questions can be submitted before the event or on the day

14:00 - 14:30 Targeting regulatory T cell and dendritic cell interaction in vaccination:CCR4 antagonists as molecular adjuvants
Dr Jagadeesh Bayry, France

14:30 -15:00 Afternoon Tea/Coffee, Last Poster Viewing and Trade show

15:00 – 15:30 CD4+ T cell-monocyte cross-talk and immune regulation of rheumatoid arthritis
Leonie Taams, Kings College London, London, UK

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a painful and debilitating disease affecting 0.5-1% of the Western population. The disease is characterised by chronic inflammation of the synovial lining, leading to damage and destruction of the underlying joint tissue and bone. Immune cells such as CD14+ monocytes and CD4+ T cells are abundantly present at the site of inflammation and are involved in the chronic inflammatory process. Our lab has been interested for many years in the cross-talk between monocytes and CD4+ T cells and how these interactions influence the ensuing immune response. Our previous work has demonstrated that activated monocytes can potently promote a pro-inflammatory Th17 cell response, which may be particularly important in the context of RA (Evans PNAS 2007; Evans PNAS 2009, Gullick PLoSOne 2010). Recent data from our lab indicates that activated monocytes may also influence CD4+CD25+CD127^lowregulatory T cell (Treg) function. We therefore wish to obtain a better understanding of how monocyte activation can be controlled. Data will be discussed demonstrating the mechanisms via which both CD4+ effector and CD4+ regulatory T cells can control monocyte activation. In addition, we will discuss recent data on therapeutic manipulation of monocytes/monocyte-derived factors leading to regulation of the pro-inflammatoryTh17 response

15:30 – 16:00 Inducing and Breaking Tolerogenic Antigen-Presenting Cell Function

Dr Steve Cobbold, University of Oxford, UK

A short treatment with mAbs that block T cell function is able to induce immunological tolerance in mouse models of transplantation and autoimmune disease. Data will be presented to show that this tolerance is induced and maintained by the de novo generation of antigen specific, foxp3+ Treg in the periphery which are required to act continuously to maintain a tolerogenic microenvironment for antigen presentation within the tolerated tissue itself. The molecular mechanisms that constitute this microenvironment, including cytokines, amino acid catabolism, adenosine generation, and infectious tolerance, will be discussed.

16:00 – 16:30 Chairman’s summing up

Information about the chairs

The main focus of research in Leonie Taams, research group is to identify key cellular processes and molecular mechanisms involved in the regulation of inflammation in humans, with a specific interest in the interactions between CD4+ T cells and monocytes. The lab hopes to use this knowledge to identify novel pathways and/or approaches to target inflammation in humans. Research in the Taams laboratory is/has been funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), the Medical Research Council (MRC), Arthritis Research UK, the Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI), the Department of Health (DoH) via the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) comprehensive Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) award to Guy’s & St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust (GSTFT) in partnership with King’s College London (KCL) and King’s College Hospital (KCH) NHS Foundation Trust, and industrial collaborative funding. In addition to her research activities, Leonie is research project module organiser for the MSc Immunology, Chair of the MSc Immunology Exam Board and Deputy Program Director of the MSc Immunology. She is a member of the Higher Education Academy, and serves on a number of (inter)national meeting committees.

Catharien Hilkens did her PhD research at the University of Amsterdam, where she worked on regulation of T cell immunity by dendritic cells. She then was awarded an EMBO fellowship to work on understanding how cytokines regulate T cell- and dendritic cell- function at the Imperial Cancer Research Fund (now Cancer Research UK) laboratories in London. In October 2003 she joined Newcastle University, where she runs a research group studying mechanisms underlying immune tolerance, and the development of dendritic cells as an immunotherapeutic tool.

About the Speakers

David Escors got his PhD from the Autonomous University of Madrid, Spain in molecular virology in 2002. There he got interested in the development of viral vectors for gene therapy. During his first post-doc in the National Centre for Biotechnology, Spain, he was involved in the development of coronavirus-derived gene vectors. In 2005 he joined UCL as a Marie Curie Fellow, and got interested in the manipulation of intracellular signalling pathways in dendritic cells to manipulate immune responses. In 2008 he obtained an Arthritis Research UK Fellowship to manipulate dendritic cells for the treatment of arthritis.

Steve Cobbold is currently the Reader in Cellular Immunology at the Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, Oxford working on the mechanisms of immune tolerance with particular focus on regulatory T cells. He studied Biochemistry at Oxford, and developed the first immunosuppressive mAbs during his PhD in Cambridge with Herman Waldmann. As part of the Therapeutic Immunology Group, he contributed to the development of CAMPATH, the first humanized therapeutic antibody. He was a scientific founder of TolerRx Inc., and co-founded BioAnaLab Ltd., which was successfully sold to Millipore in 2009. He has published more than 250 articles and patents.

Keywords: ERK, regulatory T cell, Dendritic cells; tolerance; autoimmunity; cancer; vaccine,Treg,arthritis,RA, Treg, dendritic cells, transplantation tolerance, foxp3, molecular mechanisms, Th17, CD4, RA, rheumatoid arthritis, CD127, CD25

Registration Web Site: www.regonline.co.uk/apc2012

Post expires at 8:16am on Thursday July 5th, 2012

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