ECE 2008 - Abstract deadline 1 December 2007

Abstracts for the ECE 2008 can now be submitted online and the deadline for submissions is 1 December 2007. The 10th European Congress of Endocrinology will be hosted by the German Endocrine Society and will be held at the ICC in Berlin, 3 - 7 May 2008. On-line delegate registration now available. ESE Members receive a reduced registration rate but you need to renew your membership to be eligible. Earlybird registration rates are available until 15 February 2008. More ECE 2008 details are available at the links below.

ECE 2008

ECE 2008 abstract submission

Nominations invited for the Geoffrey Harris Prize

The European Society of Endocrinology would like to invite nominations for the annual Geoffrey Harris prize. The closing date for nominations is 31 December 2007. The prestigious Geoffrey Harris prize is designed for established researchers in the field of neuroendocrinology and is the first of its kind in Europe. The prize is generously sponsored by Ipsen and will be awarded at the ECE 2008, where the winner will present a plenary lecture. For further information click on the link below.

ESE Prizes

Nominations invited for the European Journal of Endocrinology Prize

The European Society of Endocrinology would like to invite nominations for the annual European Journal of Endocrinology prize. The closing date for nominations is 31 December 2007. The European Journal of Endocrinology prize is awarded to a candidate who has significantly contributed to the advancement of knowledge in the field of endocrinology through publication. The prize will be awarded at the ECE 2008 where the winner will present a plenary lecture. For further information click on the link below.

ESE Prizes

ESE Members section

We would like to remind members about the members' only section on the ESE website. You will need a password to access this area of the website and, if you do not already have a password, you can request one by clicking on 'No password' and following the instructions on screen. An email will then be sent to you with your password. The password will be case sensitive and you can always amend it to something you can easily remember once you are in the Members section. The members section includes: 'My Profile' where you can view and change your contact details, update your areas of interest and change your password, renew and pay your membership fee; a membership directory where you can search for fellow ESE members by name, country or city; Bulletin Board section where you can participate in current discussions or even start your own; you can also view the minutes of the Annual General Meetings.

ESE Members section

ESE Membership renewal for 2008

Members have been sent information on how to renew their ESE membership for 2008. Payment must be made by 31 December 2007. The quickest and easiest way to renew membership is online and full instructions have been given in the renewal letter. Members can check and amend their own contact details through the Members section or alternatively contact the ESE Secretariat at info@euro-endo.org who will be able to assist.

ESE Members section

Last call to host the European Congress of Endocrinology in 2012 and 2013

The European Society of Endocrinology is pleased to invite the Affiliated Members to apply to host the European Congress of Endocrinology in 2012 or 2013. The 2012 meeting will be held jointly with the International Society of Endocrinology. Expressions of interest should be submitted by 20 December 2007. Full applications are required by 29 February 2008. Full details of the application process and the meeting guidelines are available at the link below. If you need any further information or assistance, please contact info@euro-endo.org.

ESE Congress Proposals

ECE 2009

The 11th European Congress of Endocrinology will be held in Istanbul, Turkey from 25-29 April 2009. More information is available at the website below.

ECE 2009

Online application for ESE membership now available

Application and payment for ESE membership can now be made online. Please go to the online form at the link below for more details. A printable version of the application is also available and should be used if you wish to pay be cheque or bank transfer.

ESE Membership

EJE to join HINARI

The European Journal of Endocrinology is in the process of joining the HINARI (Health InterNetwork Access to Research Initiative) program. HINARI is a collaboration between the World Health Organization and leading publishers with the specific aim of providing not-for-profit institutions in developing countries with free, or low cost, access to biomedical and health journals. Institutions in 113 countries are currently benefiting from access to over 3750 journals thanks to this extremely worthwhile scheme. Eligibility of countries to join is based on per capita GNP. More information is available at the link below.

HINARI

ERA-NET proposes Regional Programme for Cooperation with South-East Europe (CORDIS, 7 November 2007)

The SEE-ERA-NET has published a raft of recommendations to help bring the scientific community in the Western Balkans closer to that of the EU. Proposals include the establishment of a Regional Programme for Cooperation with South-East Europe.

News article

Potocnik calls for more dialogue to facilitate regulatory approval of alternatives to animal testing (CORDIS, 8 November 2007)

EU Science and Research Commissioner Janez Potocnik has urged both industry and academia to do more to facilitate the regulatory acceptance of alternatives to animal testing, while promising ongoing Commission support.

News article

Placenta 'fools body's defences' (BBC Online, 10 November 2007)

Researchers have reported in the Journal of Molecular Endocrinology that the placenta may employ a cloaking device to avoid attack by the mother's immune system.

News article

Short people rate worse on health (BBC Online, 18 October 2007)

Research published in Clinical Endocrinology shows that short people complain of poorer mental and physical health than those of average height.

News article

Research discovers 'generosity hormone' (Daily Telegraph, 6 November 2007)

Researchers have discovered that a person's propensity to be generous may be due to the hormone oxytocin.

News article

Europe takes aim at major metabolic disease with Systems Biology: Plan to change the way medical research is done (AlphaGalileo, 13 November 2007)

A major European initiative against major metabolic disorders such as obesity will be launched at the EuroBioForum conference at Lisbon in December 2007. The aim of this initiative is to revolutionise the way medical research is conducted by taking an engineering-led approach under the umbrella of systems biology, in which rigorous mathematical models are derived from experimental data and used to make predictions, which can be tested and then refined.

News article

Endocrine and metabolic physiology in hypoxic conditions at high altitude

Hypoxia is associated with low oxygen availability in clinical conditions such as obstructive sleep apnea and cardiopathy. A physiological model of hypoxia is provided by the exposure of climbers to high altitude, where oxygen availability is low. In a study by Benso et al., the physiological effects of exposure to high altitude and strenuous exercise in nine elite climbers were found to lead to a number of unusual endocrine and metabolic adaptations. Blood samples were taken from the nine male climbers participating in the study at sea level and at 5200 m after climbing Mt. Everest over a period of seven weeks. A weight loss of on average 5 kg was observed, however, this was not associated with a decrease in leptin levels or a significant change in ghrelin levels as would be expected with such a fall in body weight. In addition an increase in growth hormone concentration and insulin growth factor was observed, indicating heightened anabolic activity. Furthermore, no change in thyroid stimulating hormone, an increase in thyroxine and a significant reduction in tri-iodothyronine were observed. The author suggests that this indicates an impairment of peripheral free thyroxine conversion to free tri-iodothyronine under hypoxic conditions at high altitude. It is concluded by the author that hypoxic conditions and strenuous exercise at high altitude induce peculiar endocrine adaptations, contributing to the better understanding of human endocrine and metabolic physiology in these extreme conditions. Benso, A., Broglio, F., Aimaretti, G., Lucatello, B., Lanfranco, F., Ghigo, E., Grottoli, S. 2007. Endocrine and metabolic response to extreme altitude and physical exercise in climbers. European Journal of Endocrinology 157: 733-740.

International Bone and Mineral Society - Call for Fellowship Applications

The International Bone & Mineral Society is proud to announce the Call for Applications for the 2008 Gideon and Sevgi Rodan IBMS Fellowship. The Fellowship is given annually to support the research activities of a deserving young investigator in the bone field. Support will be a $40,000 grant payable to the successful applicant's institution. The research may be basic, translational, clinical, or outcomes-based in bone biology or diseases of the bone. Applicants must be within 10 years of their first postgraduate degree (M.D., Ph.D., D.D.S., or equivalent) and be a post-doctoral fellow. The fellowship must be held in an academic institution-for example, a medical school, hospital, or research institute. If you have any queries, please contact the IBMS office at info@ibmsonline.org. The application deadline is 15 December 2007. More information is available at the link below.

IBMS website

4 year Ph.D program with the European Molecular Biology Laboratory

Via www.findaphd.com. The European Molecular Biology Laboratory [EMBL] is an international research organisation with its main laboratory in Heidelberg [Germany], and four outstations in Hinxton, [UK] [the European Bioinformatics Institute, EBI], Grenoble [France], Hamburg [Germany], and Monterotondo [Italy]. Our research projects are interdisciplinary and offer exciting opportunities for biologists, chemists, physicists, mathematicians, informaticians and medical graduates who want to pursue a PhD in the molecular life sciences. The European Molecular Biology Laboratory will award predoctoral fellowships in 2008 to university graduates wishing to study for a PhD. Areas of study include: cell biology & biophysics, structural & computational biology, developmental biology, bioinformatics, gene expression and mouse biology. Funding is available for up to 50 students with a competitive tax-free stipend. The deadline for applications is 17 December 2007. More information is available at the links below:

EMBL International Ph.D Programme

European Programme: Macrovascular Complications and Blood Glucose Abnormalities

The European Foundation for the Study of Diabetes (EFSD) and Sanofi-Aventis are inviting applications for the European Programme for the Funding of Studies on the Management of Diabetes and Blood Glucose Abnormalities in Patients with Cardiovascular Disease. Applications from studies measuring parameters of blood glucose control, cardiac function, endothelial function, lipid metabolism or evaluating microvascular complications in patients with a chronic cardiovascular disease, or experiencing an acute cardiovascular event, before and after insulin treatment compared to other treatments, or comparing different insulin treatment regimens, will be specially considered. Studies focusing on pharmaco-epidemiology and patient care, e.g. evaluating the use of different treatment strategies in various countries and health care settings, will also receive special consideration. The Programme will fund up to four clinical research projects. The deadline for applications is 15 January 2008. For further information, please click on the link below.

Job advert

ESPE Young Investigator

The European Society for Paediatric Endocrinology (ESPE) Young Investigator Award is conferred to a young European paediatrician, not older than 40 years of age by the end of the year in which the Award is given, in recognition of his or her scientific publications. The award is given on the basis of a selection from submissions received from applicants. An applicant must submit the following information in electronic format: Three original papers, published or accepted for publication, in international peer-reviewed journals. The candidates should be the first author of at least one of the papers; An up-to-date CV and a list of publications. The deadline for applications is 15 January 2008. For more information, please contact espe@bioscientifica.com. or click on the link below.

ESPE website

FP7 call for proposals: International Cooperation programme

The European Commission has issued a call for proposals for 'International Cooperation' activities under the Capacities programme of the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7). The activity area covered by this call is 'Supporting the coordination of national policies and activities of Member States and Associated States on international S&T [science and technology] cooperation'. The objective of the ERA-NET scheme is to step up the cooperation and coordination of research programmes carried out at national or regional level in the Member or Associated States through the networking of research programmes, towards their mutual opening and the development and implementation of joint activities. The deadline for submitting proposals is 12 February 2008. More information is available at the link below.

FP7 call for proposals

FP7 call for proposals: Capacities programme

The European Commission has launched a call for proposals under the 'Capacities' programme of the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7). The call refers to Activity 6-2-2, which aims to provide support to the bottom up policy coordination initiatives undertaken by several countries and regions. Proposals should address the following policy areas: Developing an appropriate research and development (R&D) policy mix; Creating appropriate framework conditions for stimulating private research and development (R&D) investment; Improving the cooperation and transfer of technologies between public research institutes and private enterprises, including through developing public-private partnerships; Developing and making better use of incentives to leverage private R&D; Modernising the management of research institutions and universities; Enhancing the career development and the European, international as well as inter-sectoral mobility of R&D personnel. The total budget for the call is €7.5 million. The deadline for submitting proposals is 6 March 2008. For more information, please click on the link below.

Proposal website

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