Monthly Archives: April 2015

Cancer Research UK International Symposium on Oesophageal Cancer

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The Cancer Research UK Oxford Centre, Cancer Research UK, Cambridge Cancer Centre and Chinese Hospital Chinese Academy of Medical Science (CICAMS) have come together to host an International Symposium on Oesophageal Cancer.

The symposium is being co-organised by Professor Xin Lu, Professor Rebecca Fitzgerald and Professor Qimin Zhan. Speakers that cover the breadth and depth of Oesophageal Cancer Research will be in Oxford on June 6-7th for this innovative event.

We are pleased to confirm that registration is now open and details can be found here.

Why oesophageal cancer?

Investigating oesophageal cancer presents unique opportunities for advances on two fronts: addressing the substantial unmet clinical needs of this disease; and uncovering molecular mechanisms with broad implications for our understanding of tumorigenesis.

The oesophagus provides an unusual yet accessible tumour context. In the lower oesophagus, the squamous epithelium of the oesophagus meets the columnar epithelium of the stomach and oesophageal adenocarcinoma is often preceded by epithelial cellular changes in an inflammatory condition called Barrett?s oesophagus. This setting thus presents a unique model for studies of the fundamental principles of interactions among different epithelial cell types, how signalling and differentiation are disrupted in cancer development and the influence of immune responses and inflammation on cell fate. On a global scale oesophageal squamous cell cancer is a major cause of cancer related death with some very high incidence areas thus providing further opportunities for investigating the epidemiology and causation of this disease and potential avenues for treatment.

Oesophageal cancer research is thus an ideal forum to bring together cell biologists, geneticists, immunologists and clinicians.

Digital Economy “Researcher in Residence” Programme

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The Digital Catapult’s vision is to rapidly advance the UK’s best digital ideas from concept to commercialisation to create new products, services, jobs and value for the UK economy. The areas of interest relevant to Computer Science include:

  1. Personal Data
    Helping to overcome the challenges of creating trust in the use of personal data.
  2. The Internet of Things
    Including being a convening force in creating large scale Internet of Things demonstrators.

The Digital Catapult and the RCUK Digital Economy (DE) Theme will shortly announce a call for research residencies at the Digital Catapult Centre in London. There will be two types advertised:

Junior Residencies: these will enable early career researchers to develop their existing research interests within a user-led project in conjunction with the Digital Catapult. Holders will be based in the Catapult or a relevant user organisation full or near full-time. Projects will be user-centred and focused on impact generation, whilst also feeding back user experience to the DE research community.

Senior Residencies: targeted at exceptional researchers with a significant track record in relevant areas for the Digital Catapult. Holders will be expected to help shape Catapult projects, provide thought leadership, and drive the creation of new activities, on either a full time basis or via a series of short secondments to the Catapult.

The programme will open for applications shortly, with the closing date for the first round round at the end of June.

To find out more, and recieve notifications/updates – Click Here
To find out more about the digital catapult – Click Here

 

Simon Wolff Travel Grant for Young Scientists

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It is essential for scientists to meet and exchange ideas with fellow workers from around the world to progress research, but it is often very difficult, especially for younger scientists, to obtain funding to make these trips possible. The Simon Wolff Charitable Foundation (SWCF) will provide financial support for young scientists wishing to attend scientific conferences in Research areas of interest.

Case Study 1: Adiari V. graduated from Havard University in 2005. Her doctoral research focuses on the environmental transport and reactivity of mercury in the environment. Thanks to a travel grant from the Simon Wolff Charitable Foundation, she was able to present her research at the 11th International Conference on Mercury as a Global Pollutant.

Case Study 2: Upon receiving a generous Simon Wolff Charitable Foundation (SWCF) travel grant, Aisling O. attended ESB 2014 Annual Conference, the 26th European Conference on Biomaterials in the Liverpool Echo Arena. This event was organised by the European Society of Biomaterials, and also encompassed the 11th Young Scientists Forum, aimed at postgraduate students, encouraging discussion and participation in biomaterials education and training, career development and research opportunities.

There is no set closing date, however applications should be recieved 3 months before the intended date of travel.

To find out more – Click Here
To contact SWCF and apply – Click Here