- Stem Cells In Action
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I haven't written anything on this blog for awhile. Since the last post, the ASSCR has become firmly established. It now has seventy members. We have organised our first Meeting, during the AHMR Congress, 17th November, Brisbane Convention Centre. At this meeting we will have our Annual General Meeting and elect members of the committee, including positions of President, Vice President, Treasurer. If you are interested, then now is the time to become actively involved in this Society.
We also have Sponsors: Stem Cell Technologies and Stem Cell Sciences and the National Centre for Adult Stem Cell Research at Griffith University.
One of the aims of the ASSCR is to facilitate public discussion about stem cells and surrounding issues. In accordance with this, we have organised a forum called 'Stem Cells In Action' which will be part of our meeting on November 17th, Brisbane. This is to discuss where New Zealand and Australia are situated with regards to the translation of some stem cell research. This discussion may reveal what clinical trials are current and who has access to treatments. Other issues that may be addressed are:
• Is the Australia/New Zealand stem cell community fully supportive of clinical trials?
• Is the science ready to translate stem cells clinic?
• What types of stem cells are currently being used in clinical trials?
• Are the regulatory guidelines on par with the current translational research?
• With expectations being high, are patients being adequately informed?
Participants include: Bernie Tuch (Prince of Wales Transplant Unit), Ed Baetge (Novocell, California), Ian Lewis (Hanson Institute), Alan McKay-Sim (Griffith Uni), Kerry Atkinson (Mater Medical Research Institute, Queensland), Silviu Itescu (Mesoblast), Megan Munsie (Australian Stem Cell Centre), Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration.
Although part of the AH&MR Congress, anyone who is interested can attend, to encourage discussions between scientists and the community. If you are interested in attending or want further information, email info@asscr.org.
Stem Cells In Action: Brisbane Convention Centre,
Monday 17th November 1.30 to 3 pm
More information about the ASSCR and the ASSCR Annual Meeting at www.asscr.org
- The ASSCR has a web-site at www.asscr.org
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Check out our new web-site.
The ASSCR is the foremost stem cell society in Australia and New Zealand that aims to promote the discipline of stem cell biology andtherapies, to promote education and research and to disseminatescientific information.
So, for more information and news about the Society go to www.asscr.org. You can email info@asscr.org for a membership form, or if you have any queries.
Become a member of the ASSCR:
Professionals working in stem cellsor related fields can be Regular ($85) or Student ($40) Members. Anyone interested in stem cells can be Associate Members ($40).
The first annual meeting of the AUSTRALASIAN SOCIETY FOR STEM CELL RESEARCH (ASSCR), Brisbane, 16th November 2008. Part of the Australian Health and Medical Research Congress
Invited Speakers:
Emmanuael Baetge, Novocell, California, USA
Maurice Curtis, University of Auckland, New Zealand
Naoki Nakayama, Australian Stem Cell Centre
Gary Hime, University of Melbourne, Australia
Ian Lewis, Hanson Institute, Adelaide, Australia
Richard Harvey, Victor Chang Institute, Australia
Sharon Ricardo, Monash University, Australia
Julie Lukic, Fertility East, Australia
Two speakers will be selected from poster submissions. The oral presentation submission deadline is Friday 15th August, 2008. Poster Only presentation submission deadline is Friday 19th September, 2008
Registration Details:
The deadline for Early Bird Registration is Friday 15th August, 2008
Costs: Single Day Member Registration AUD$265
Registration (prior to 15th August) to the AHMR Congress - $550 members and $650 non-member
Postal address:
ASSCR
PO Box 8519
Monash Uni LPO,
Wellington Rd,
Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
- The ASSCR first conference
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The ASSCR is holding its first annual conference during the Australian Health and Medical Research Congress in Brisbane on Monday November 17th 2008.
We have invited a number of stem cell scientists from Australia and New Zealand, to speak in a programme which will last most of the day. Speakers include, Richard Harvey (Victor Chang Institute), Naoki Nakayama (Australian Stem Cell Centre), Sharon Ricardo (Monash University) both in Australia and Maurice Curtis from the University of Auckland, New Zealand.
The AMR conference organisers have invited some extremely good plenary speakers, including Elaine Fuchs from the Rockefeller Institute, who will speak on the 17th November.
We aim to offer travel scholarships and will be encouraging participants to submit abstracts for a poster presentation. Posters will be judged and a prize given to the best presentation and research.
If you become a member of the ASSCR then the conference registration is $265 for full membership, and $190 for students. A bargain!!! Further details of the conference can be found at http://www.ahmrcongress.org.au/
We will also hold our first annual general meeting, at which committee members, such as President, Treasurer, Secretary, web-site advisors etc, will be nominated. To be involved you must become a member!
So, it will be a packed day of stem cell science, discussion and some action. We are currently developing a web-site that will have further information. If you want, contact us through this blog and we will email you membership forms.
- Join the ASSCR
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Are you interested in the ASSCR?
Want to become a member?
Then copy the form posted in our Photo blog at URL:
-http://myresearchspace.grs.uwa.edu.au/photos/australian_society_for_stem_cell_research_gallery
/images/23707/original.aspx
Mail this to: Australasian Society for Stem Cell Research,
PO Box 8159, Monash University LPO, Wellington Rd, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia.
We are setting up a web-site with more information, but for now, if you want to find out more, you can contact us through this blog.
- Become A Member of the ASSCR
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The Australasian Society for Stem Cell Research promotes stem cell biology and therapies in Australia and New Zealand.
Our main objectives:
* Support research and encourage scientific exchange to further stem cell research particularly within our region.
* The ASSCR will run scientific meetings which will provide all interested parties with the opportunity to access information relating to scientific, medical and ethical advances in the broad field of stem cell research. A particular emphasis of the Society will be to communicate this information to the general public.
The ASSCR will provide information, a directory of stem cell professionals and networking.
The ASSCR aims to establish associations with the Stem cell Network of the Asia-Pacific region and the International Society for Stem Cell Research but remain a separate entity specifically focused on the development of stem cell research and dissemination of information within the Australasian region. We will continue to develop a strong relationship with current related organisations and complement the work that they do.
Anyone can be a member. There are different categories: Professionals (scientists, ethicists, lawyers, sociologists) working in stem cells or related fields can be Regular ($85) or Student ($40) Members. Anyone interested in stem cells can be Associate Members ($40). For further details please see www.asscr.org.au (website under construction).
The first ASSCR conference will be held on Thursday November 20th 2008 as part of the Australian Health and Medical Research Congress (www.ahmrcongress.org.au). Researchers will be selected to speak from poster submissions. A prize will be given for the best poster.
To join, complete the membership form (in preparation) and mail to PO Box 8519, Monash University LPO, Wellington Rd, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia. Any queries email through this blog.
- Winner of the ASSCR Logo Competition
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We have a winner and a fantastic logo to represent Australian and New Zealand stem cell interests! Congratulations to Donna Tyler for her beautiful and inspired
logo (below).
Response to the competition was overwhelming with twenty fantastic entrants. They were all incredibly inventive and professional. Seventeen judges, some scientists and others who work in graphic design and marketing, came to this difficult decision. Thanks to both the judges and entrants. Special thanks to Nola Camden who organised the competition.
- ASSCR Logo Competition
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The Australasian Society for Stem Cell Research (ASSCR) is running a competition for the design of a logo. A cash prize of $500 will be awarded to the winner. The winner may also have a year's free membership to the ASSCR.
Some helpful points to designing a logo for the ASSCR: 
Top 5 images associated with the ASSCR -
Stem cells, Australasian, education, networking, communication
A few adjectives to describe how the audience should perceive the ASSCR
Non-profit, useful, informative, well-informed, supportive, facilitating, connecting, educating
What makes the ASSCR special/distinct/unique?
Thereare a number of networks around the world concerned with promotinggreater communication, collaboration and education about stem cellsamongst professionals and also the pubic. What is unique about theASSCR is its region - Australasia.
What other alternatives does the target user have to access the information and services that the ASSCR is offering?
In the respect that the ASSCR will be creating new opportunities for communication, collaboration and education (for example through running workshops, training courses, conferences and facilitating mentoring) there is currently no other place for the user to find such information in the concise way it will be presented - because the ASSCR will be looking to facilitate communication where it sees that there is a need or gap that it can help bridge.
Key concepts in this respect are: concise, interaction and access.
Concise: There is much information available in the form of academic papers, policy documents, legislation, annual reports, press releases or international and interstate training courses and conferences. The ASSCR will provide busy professionals with the opportunity to make contacts and gather information across disciplines in a concise manner.
Interaction: The ASSCR will help bring people together to interact; and share ideas, skills and information; who may not otherwise have had the opportunity.
Access: The ASSCR will bring new information and skill sharing opportunities to regions that don't already have easy access to them. It will also promote greater understanding across disciplines as ae debate in the public.
Target Audience
The target audience will be primarily research scientists working in stem cells, also clinicians, ethicists, administrators, lawyers, biotechnology companies, politicians, media and interested laypeople.
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE LOGO
1. The logo should look good in black and white as well as in colour.
2. The logo should have the flexibility to be incorporated in many different digital & print formats. You should provide at least 5 example applications in your entry.
eg. Letterheads, envelopes, newsletters, with compliments slips, brochures, websites, emails, banner ads, program guides and PowerPoint presentation slides.
The logo may also be used alongside other logos if the ASSCR is a co-organiser or co-sponsor of an event.
3. The logo should be supplied in a specific Pantone colour.
Deadline: The competition closes last mail Monday 11th February.
The winner will be announced Monday 18th February.
Email your LOGO design to Nola Camden (Nola.Camden@sesiahs.health.nsw.gov.au).
For more information about the ASSCR or to register your interest, contact this blog
- What do all societies need - a LOGO!
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To have a LOGO or symbol that best represents the Australasian Society for Stem Cell Research we are going to hold a competition. So, all you budding artists, designers or anyone who wants to see their unique design as a symbol for Australia and New Zealand's new scientific society for stem cells.
So, what should the LOGO depict?
Well, firstly stem cells. Stem cells are unique cells found in our body or that have been isolated from very early
embryos that can duplicate as well as divide and form most types of adult cella. This property makes them useful to generate novel cell therapies to ameliorate a number of patient's diseases or injury. Some cancers also develop from stem cells. Understanding cancer stem cells will help in working out how cancers develop. It has also been suggested that attacking the cancer stem cells specifically may be a way of preventing some cancers from returning.
So, what do stem cells look like? Of course, it depends on what type of stem cells they are. You can't see them unless you look at them with a microscope. The photo on the right, is of a human embryonic stem cell colony (around 5,000 cells). In this photo they seem to shine. Often embryonic-like cells shimmer when light is passed through them.
Secondly, the LOGO could highlight the uniqueness of Australia and New Zealand.
Oh, and if the creativity or science don't compel you to scribble something on paper and enter our competition, we hope to offer a prize!
Watch this blog for more details of when the competition is being held and how to enter!
- The ASSCR is about to become incorporated!
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At a meeting to today we finalised all of the rules for the Australasian Society for Stem Cell Research (ASSCR). For those of you interested in such things, I will post the rules later. So, once Consumer Affairs in Victoria have registered the society, we will be officially incorporated.
To remind you, the society aims "to promote the discipline of stem cell biology and therapies in Australia and New Zealand, to promote education and research and to disseminate scientific information".
Really anyone can join, although there are different types of membership. You will be considered a Regular member if you are a professional working in the area of stem cells; scientist, medic, ethicist etc. The yearly fee for regular membership is $85 (Australian). Tertiary students researching stem cells are student members, costing $40 each year. Both regular and student members can vote at meetings. Anyone with an interest in stem cells (cancer, adult and embryonic stem cells), regenerative medicine and future clinical applications can become an Associate member for $40 a year.
So, what do you get for this?
We intend organising a yearly meeting and possibly local, satellite meetings. If we have enough funding we would like to subsidise students attendance at meetings. We will regularly publish a newsletter, with information about stem cells and research in Australia. Depending on how the society morphs, we may be able to do more!
If you would like more information or just show your interest you can contact us via this blog. More information about how to join will be posted on this blog in January.
- ASSCR Rules
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Photo from Gary Peh (Monash University).
Neural cells from human embryonic stem cells labelled green for a specific protein nestin, with the nucleus stained blue.
OK, so at our recent steering committee
meeting to establish the new Australasian Society for Stem Cell Research we
talked about rules.
All Societies require rules and in this, the
ASSCR is no exception. So, our last meeting established some basic rules, very
similar to most societies. Some of them are as follows:
MEMBERSHIP
Regular Members or those professionals
working in with stem cells or in a stem cell related field. Regular membership will also include
people working in a company rather than just an academic environment. Corporate
memberships were also discussed as possible.
Student Members - Student members will
be required to be actively studying in a stem cell related field and have full
voting privileges.
Associate Members - Anyone interested
in stem cell biology and therapies.
Membership fees will be due on
the 1st of August of each year. Usually membership fees are due prior to the
annual meeting of the society and therefore registrants may be able to get
reduced society membership fees at the time of registration for the conference.
Membership fees will be $85 for regular
members and $40 for student members. These will be due on the 1st of August of
each year. Usually membership fees are due prior to the annual meeting of the
society and therefore registrants may be able to get reduced society membership
fees at the time of registration for the conference.
The society will require a stated privacy
policy that specifies that member contact details and information will not be
distributed if the member specifies this on the application form at the time of
registration.
GOVERNANCE
There will be 5 members of the executive
committee with an additional 5 general members of the committee preferably
representing different regions. These members and the executive committee
should have the ability to co-opt someone onto the committee. A student
representative should also be included on the committee.
The 5 executive committee members will be an
elected President, General Secretary, Treasurer, Communication Officer and also
a Vice-President.
Nomination of the executive committee will be
elected at the first AGM. The steering committee members should consider who
would be willing and suitable to fill these positions on the committee before
this time. Or, if anyone outside the steering committee wants to nominate
someone or themselves, get in touch!
LOCATION & TIME OF COMMITTEE ELECTIONS
Time of committee members should be a minimum
of 1 year and a maximum of 2 years after which time the Vice President will
preferably become President Elect.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
So as to ensure representation throughout
Australia and New Zealand, we also discussed the location of the ASCC committee
members and if this should change each year to align with an annual conference.
Concerns were raised if there were enough suitable members in each state of
Australia or New Zealand to fill all 10 places per year. Alternatively, representatives
from different states coming onto the committee at different times would ensure
more consistency and continuity of the society.
If you have any comments or are interested in being
involved, let us know!
- Who should be members?
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We also talked about different types of
membership: full and student members (tertiary or higher degree).
You could be a full member if you are a
scientist, ethicist or clinician who works or is associated with stem cells.
An
associate membership was also proposed for administrators working within the
area of stem cell biology or clinical applications and really anyone else, who
is interested.
So, how much should membership cost?
This
was also considered; some people suggested yearly fees from $60 to $80 for a
full member and $20 for students. Others felt it should be more.
What do you think? Is $80 too cheap to
financially support a society? To start with, we would like to be able to
support meetings, organise an annual meeting or possibly publish a newsletter.
Still, keeping costs low encourages more members, so it’s a quandary.
- Our first steering committee meeting
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Today, we moved one step closer to setting up
an Australian/New Zealand Stem Society after a very constructive video-tele
conference between twenty-one scientists and administrators who work in the
area of stem cell research.
Calling the society the Australasian Society of
Stem Cell Research (ASSCR), was an unanimous vote.
We also all agreed on its aims, above.
The society intends to establish a stem cell research
network in Australia and NZ, with interaction within the Asia Pacific Region.
We could provide education about stem cell research and ethics, organise
meetings.
We all agreed that members of the Societies governing
elected committee should be inclusive, reflecting its membership. So, hopefully
representatives will include members from different States within Australia and
New Zealand as well as different research interests and disciplines. These may
include basic and clinical research on embryonic stem cells and adult stem
cells, ethics, and legal.
So, for the first steering committee meeting, it was a
pretty good turn out! Everyone seemed really enthusiastic.
The different Universities/Institutes represented
were: Uni of Queensland, QUT, Sydney IVF, Monash Institute of Medical Research,
Monash Immunology and Stem Cell Laboratories, University of Melbourne, Uni of
Auckland, University of NSW, Telethon Institute of Child Health, WA Institute
for Medical Research, Australian Stem Cell Centre.
It would be good to include anyone who
works on stem cell research in ACT, South Australia,Tasmania or Northern
Territories. So please get in touch!
- Development of an Australasian Stem Cell Society
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An Australasian Society for Stem Cell Research will
establish a stem cell research network in Australia and New Zealand, with
interaction within the Asia Pacific Region and provide support and education
about stem cells to research scientists and the general public. An aim would be
that the Society organise or promote meetings.
Forty stem cell scientists and ethicists attended a
meeting at the ISSCR, Cairns June 2007 and since, another 20 have registered
their interest
Keep visiting this blog for further
information