Hunting cellular biology in the Hunter
Monday, 31 March, 2008
Cell and developmental biology is a major contributor to what we know about diseases such as cancer, heart disease and diabetes.
We are coming to appreciate that many diseases affect basic cellular mechanisms such as vesicular transport and the movement of molecules around the cell, or mimic developmental processes gone awry.
The 2008 Hunter Cellular Biology Meeting will be held from April 1-4 in the beautiful surroundings of Pokolbin in the Hunter Valley of NSW. Amidst the autumn-tinged vines and recently greened landscape, scientists of all levels will participate in days of excellent science and stimulating company.
The Hunter Cellular Biology Meeting is now in its eight year and has gained a reputation over time as a small, focused meeting that presents the latest advances in cell and developmental biology.
Meeting convenor for 2008, Carol Wicking, says a major goal of this meeting is to "entice cell and developmental biologists to interact and explore the natural synergies between our disciplines in a relaxed yet stimulating environment".
The 2008 program comprises an impressive wealth of international and Australian speakers and poster presentations, covering topics from cellular trafficking and signalling, lymphangiogenesis, morphogenesis and patterning, centromere structure and cell division to stem cells and regeneration.
The invited international speakers include Marino Zerial (Germany), Konrad Basler (Switzerland), Keith Mostov (USA), Elisabetta Dejana (Italy), Chris Marshall (UK) and Phil Ingham (Singapore/UK - sponsored by the ARC/NHMRC Network for Genes and Environment in Development).
Amongst the 'usual suspects' of Australian speakers are several young guns of cell and developmental biology such as Kieran Harvey from the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Sally Martin from the University of Queensland's Institute for Molecular Biosciences and Heather Verkade from Monash University.
For the first time this year, the conference is offering a half-day imaging workshop prior to the official opening of the meeting, organised by Jennifer Stow of the University of Queensland and Peter Currie of the Victor Chang Institute in Sydney.
Participating researchers will present imaging applications in studies on fixed and living cells, in embryos and in whole animals including mice, fish and flies.
According to Jenny Stow, the workshop aims "to disseminate techniques and enrich the use of fluorescence imaging in many lines of research. It should be an 'illuminating' start to the Hunter meeting."
Some of the major imaging companies will also be involved, allowing researchers a relaxed opportunity to discuss current applications, technological trends and future needs with representatives and imaging experts.
The imaging workshop for this year has attracted some 80 registrants and if successful, will hopefully reappear in an extended format in future years.
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