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The UK’s recent decision to subscribe to the European Space Agency’s ELIPS (European Life and Physical Sciences) programme means UK-based researchers may participate in this unique, cross-disciplinary programme, making use of a diverse range of facilities including centrifuges, parabolic flights and bedrest facilities. This meeting will examine the bedrest facilities: how they are managed, how ESA defines opportunities and selects experiments, and how UK researchers might get involved.  Specifically, we will look at how bedrest facilities may be used for research into the biology of ageing.

This meeting is open to all.  It is strongly recommended that researchers who may wish to apply for support from BBSRC for research on ageing conducted via the ELIPS programme attend this workshop.  This will be an invaluable opportunity to hear about ESA and BBSRC’s review procedures (and how they will be coordinated) and an excellent forum for networking with like-minded researchers.

The lecture will be held in The Great Hall at King's College London. Refreshments will be served on arrival and the lecture will commence at 6pm. The lecture will be followed by a drinks reception.

To reserve a place please email or call 020 303 31501

Baroness Jill Pitkeathley OBE

Baroness Pitkeathley has been a social worker for local authorities and a Voluntary Services Coordinator in the National Health Service.

In 1986 she became Chief Executive of what was then the National Council for Carers and led the carers movement for the next 12 years, creating Carers National Association (now Carers UK).

From 1998 to 2004 she was the first Chair of the New Opportunities Fund, responsible for allocating £2 billion of lottery money and also was the interim Chair of the General Social Care Council for its first six months.

From 2003 to 2008 Jill was Chair of CAFCASS (Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service).

From 2005 to 2008 she was Chair of the Government Advisory Panel on Futurebuilders and was Chair of the Advisory Body for the Office for Civil Society from 2008 - 2011.  Jill was appointed as Chair of the Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care (formerly the Council for Healthcare Regulatory Excellence) in January 2009. She became a trustee of the Big Society Trust for the Big Society Bank in 2011.

Jill is currently Vice President of Carers UK, President of the Community Council for Berkshire, and a patron of Herefordshire Carers.

She was raised to the peerage in 1997 as Baroness Pitkeathley of Caversham, sits on the Labour benches, is a very active working peer and is a Deputy Speaker of the House of Lords. 

Dr Aubrey de Grey contends that senior scientists in the field of ageing have distorted the relationship between ageing and disease and that his research strategies will lead to the rapid development of rejuvenation therapies to combat ageing.

Professor Richard Faragher disputes these contentions and believes de Grey is damaging the credibility of the field by conflating his futuristic visions with the practical research strategies of the mainstream.

Which of them is right? Are both of them wrong?

See the attached file for further information.

Join us at UCS for a set of stimulating lectures and find out what the future holds with respect to the repair of our body tissues using new regenerative medicines.

All are welcome to attend. Scientists and non-scientists alike will be interested in these entertaining talks, which are aimed at members of the public, including school children.

This is your chance to quiz our international panel of experts and find out more about UCS Ipswich’s role in the field of tissue repair.

Speakers:

• Professor Cathy Speed, sport medicine expert with Team GB

• Professor John Ansell, stem cell scientist

• Professor Brendon Noble, regenerative medicine expert