Australasian Society for Stem Cell Research : embryonic stem cells

The ASSCR first conference

Susan Hawes — Mon, 05 May 2008 13:08:00 GMT

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.

What do all societies need - a LOGO!

Susan Hawes — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 08:27:00 GMT

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!