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ADOPTIVE IMMUNE CELL THERAPY SYMPOSIUM

Wed, 18 Dec 2013 12:09:00 GMT

The 3-4 February 2014 will see the leaders of the field of adoptive immune cell therapies gather in London for this exciting symposium covering therapies in cancer, GVHD, Tolerance and Autoimmunity. The event will offer opportunities to discuss state-of-the-art progress in cell-based therapies; to consider the most efficient and efficacious ways forward and provide an opportunity for junior researchers in the field to present their work at a dedicated poster session.

Speakers at the symposium include: Carl June, Robert Lechler, Matthias Edinger, Laurence Cooper, Kathryn Wood, Jeff Bluestone, Maria Grazia-Roncarolo and Bart Roep.

To submit an abstract for the poster session on 3 February, please send a 250 word abstract to meetings@immunology.org by the 8 January 2014.

Discounted registration rates are available for BSI members, King's College employees and students.

For more information or to register click here.

SCIENCE SHOWOFF BSI CONGRESS 2013

Thu, 07 Nov 2013 16:08:00 GMT

Science Showoff, the chaotic night of science cabaret is coming to Liverpool as part of the BSI Congress 2013 public programme on 3 December. We're looking for seven top-class communicators of science (though we might have a bit of a bias towards immunology we're not exclusive) to come and share some interesting things on stage and raise money for Yellow House, a Liverpool Charity.

For more information click here.

Macrophages and their links to infertility

Mon, 22 Jul 2013 09:54:00 GMT

Infertility is an issue that affects one in every six people in the United Kingdom (NHS. 2011) and is most commonly caused by lack of regular ovulation in women.

Research recently published by the University of Adelaide has revealed that there could be another notable reason for infertility in women. Macrophages are white blood cells with important roles in both innate and active immunity, this new research suggests a role in helping to ensure a successful pregnancy. The research was conducted using mice for the duration of the trial, being aged between 7-12 weeks at the first stage of the experiment, with mating being confirmed at 0.5 days post-coitum.

The study which was conducted by Dr Sarah Robertson (University of Adelaide) was aimed at discovering what role macrophages had in reproduction. Macrophage functions within the immune system include phagocytosis and antigen presentation. In this study the researchers discovered that the depletion of the macrophages (via administration of diphtheria toxin) led to infertility in female mice.

This depletion of the macrophages was directly linked to an abnormal corpus luteum, preventing embryo implantation. The administration of progesterone reversed the defects, and embryo implantation could occur, the article reports ‘..Progression of viable pregnancy in macrophage-depleted Cd11b-Dtr mice was consistently rescued when exogenous progesterone was administered...’ (Care et al, 2013).

Typically, post-depletion of macrophages has led to a change in gene expression, particularly in reference to the vascular endothelial growth factors. Dr Robertson explains that the data they have collected provides sufficient evidence to support the notion of an essential macrophage presence. This presence is required for the production of progesterone at the onset of pregnancy.

This luteal dysfunction and resulting implantation deficiency syndrome could conceivably be identified in humans – if in females, the role of macrophages is demonstrated, it could pave the way for an advanced therapeutic intervention for a more successful and viable ovarian environment.

Jamie Harris (BSc)

British Society for Immunology

CALL FOR PAPERS - 2014 Themed Issue

Wed, 17 Jul 2013 09:21:00 GMT

Previously proposed in the 1980's, the hygiene hypothesis correlates the decreasing incidence of infections, with the increasing incidence of autoimmune and allergic diseases. In their 2014 focus issue Clinical & Experimental Immunology aims to investigate the latest advances in science relating to the hypothesis. The editors of CEI invite authors to submit original articles and reviews to the 2014 themed issue on, 'Hygiene hypothesis and approaches to manipulating the microbiome'. The focus issue will feature articles on areas such as, microbiome in chronic inflammation, Immunogregulatory consequences of parasite encounters, intestinal homeostasis, colonisation resistance and the epidemiology of autoimmune and infectious diseases.

Visit the CEI website for more information about the issue and how to submit an article.

Deadline for submitting original articles and reviews: Monday 30th September 2013

NEW FACE AT THE BSI

Tue, 16 Jul 2013 14:14:00 GMT

We are delighted to announce that both our journals, Clinical & Experimental Immunology and Immunology, impact factors have increased.

Immunology’s impact factor is now 3.705 and CEI’s impact factor is now 3.409

We would like thank our Editors, Danny Altmann and Mark Peakman, as well as the associate editors and all those involved in the journals and contributing to their success.

BSI welcomes Jamie as our newest member of the team, he will intern during summer 2013 and will work on social media, marketing and public engagement projects.

Jamie has an eclectic background in agriculture, animal biology and social media.

Find out more about Jamie.

Frontiers of Knowledge: present your work to parliament

Thu, 27 Jun 2013 13:09:00 GMT

Frontiers of Knowledge will bring leading research teams to parliament to explain their work to a cross-party audience of MPs and Peers, to celebrate the strength and diversity of research in UK universities. The lectures will give researchers a unique opportunity to present their ideas to key policymakers and engage directly with a large number of parliamentarians, and so influence public policy debates. The events will also publicise the research project on a high-profile platform that has the potential to attract media coverage.

The Council of the All Party University Group invites proposals from research individuals or teams within UK universities to give a lecture on their work to a cross-party audience of MPs and Peers. The All Party Parliamentary University Group, an initiative supported by HEFCE and seven other national bodies, announces the launch of a new series of parliamentary lectures.

For more information about the call for proposals click here

New Improved Impact Factors for the BSI's Journals

Thu, 20 Jun 2013 14:17:00 GMT

We are delighted to announce that both our journals, Immunology and Clinical & Experimental Immunology, impact factors have increased again.

Immunology’s impact factor is now 3.705 and CEI’s impact factor is now 3.409.

We would like thank our Editors, Mark Peakman and Danny Altmann, as well as the associate editors and all those involved in the journals for contributing to their success.

For more information about the journals please visit their websites: Immunology and Clinical & Experimental Immunology.

Win a bursary to attend the British Science Festival 2013

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 16:10:00 GMT

The British Science Festival is one of the largest annual public science events in Europe with over 250 events, activities, exhibitions and trips taking place over the week. This year the festival is visiting Newcastle from 7-12 September; transforming the University, the city and the surrounding area into a vibrant celebration of science, technology and engineering.

The British Society for Immunology is offering four members the chance to take part in the event as part of the British Science Festival Student Bursary Scheme. The winners will be able to attend festival events, network with speakers and students and be involved in activities like the festival press office.

For more details on the bursaries and how to enter our competition click here. The deadline for applications is 12 July 2013.

The Life Game

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 14:45:00 GMT

Visit the Science Museum (London) this weekend, 15 and 16 June, to take part in The Life Game Festival and discover how medical research can help us lead long and healthy lives. Create your own paper-based pal, take chances and make choices to shape their colourful journey through the different stages of life. Meet scientists from the Medical Research Council and discover how their latest research could help your pal on its journey.

There are 9 London based MRC Centres taking part in this event including the MRC & Asthma UK Centre in Allergic Mechanisms of Asthma. The BSI’s giant nose will feature on their stand exploring the causes of allergy and asthma.

For more information on this FREE event visit the Science Museum website.

The Science and Art of Transplantation

Wed, 05 Jun 2013 11:06:00 GMT

The MRC Centre for Transplantation presents “The Science and Art of Transplantation” a pop-up exhibition on 20 June 2013 at the Anatomy Museum, Kings Building, Strand Campus, Kings College London. This unique interactive exhibition is free and open to all, featuring exclusive interviews with pioneers of transplantation and more. The exhibition is open from 10.00 – 18.00.

In the evening Jonathan Dimbleby hosts a discussion on “The Future of Transplantation” with a distinguished panel from the worlds of science, literature and philosophy to discuss developments in transplant biology. This event is ticketed and currently has a waiting list, to join the list register at http://futuretransplantation.eventbrite.co.uk/.

These events are organised by the MRC Centre for Transplantation at King’s College London to celebrate the Medical Research Council’s centenary of life-changing discoveries.

ABBOTT AWARD IN CLINICAL AND DIAGNOSTIC IMMUNOLOGY

Thu, 30 May 2013 16:56:00 GMT

This American Society for Microbiology award honours a distinguished scientist in clinical or diagnostic immunology for outstanding contributions to those fields. The award consists of a cash prize of $2500, a commemorative piece, and travel to the ASM General Meeting where the laureate will present the Abbott Award in Clinical and Diagnostic Immunology lecture.

For more information on how to apply visit the ASM website. The deadline for applications for the 2014 award is 1 July 2013.

Vitamin D and Asthma

Thu, 23 May 2013 11:55:00 GMT

Interactions between the sunshine vitamin, vitamin D, and the immune system are well established. With levels of the vitamin affecting a whole host of immune system functions including dendritic cell maturation, bacteria killing, immunoglobulin production by B cells, T-cell differentiation and cytokine production. As a result, vitamin D levels have been linked to a number of conditions including multiple sclerosis, cardiac disease and asthma.

This week research by the group of BSI member Catherine Hawrylowicz (Kings College London) was published showing a potential role for vitamin D in enhancing the function of steroids used to treat asthmatics. The work found that the active form of vitamin D (1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3) led a to decreased in the level of Th17 cytokine production in peripheral white blood cells from asthmatic patients. The study published in Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.

The research was widely covered in the national media, including the BBC News website and NHS Choices.

Vitamin d and Asthma

Happy Day of Immunology 2013

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 10:29:00 GMT

The British Society for Immunology wishes everyone a wonderful Day of Immunology 2013! If you want to share your knowledge with family and friends, today is a great opportunity to do so -you can find excellent free tools to explain the immune system, and keep posted on who is doing what and where to celebrate on www.dayofimmunology.org!

Want to learn more about the immune system but don’t know where to start? Then try Your Amazing Immune System. This illustrated book provides a comprehensive guide to the what, where and how of the immune system. From vaccinations to allergies and arthritis, this book covers all the basics in a fun and informative way. For more information and to request a free copy of this book, click here. This book is also available in an interactive digital format at – Interactive Immunity.

Yeast offers more reliable source of key antimalarial drug

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 09:05:00 GMT

The most effective antimalarial drug available, artemisinin, is currently produced from the sweet wormwood plant but its supply is unreliable, resulting in shortages and ultimately impacting on the treatment of malaria patients. Jay Keasling and colleagues at the University of California, USA, have discovered an alternative. They genetically modified baker’s yeast to produce a precursor to artemisinin, artemisinic acid, which can be readily converted to the active form of the drug, artesunate, by a chemical process (Nature, doi:10.1038/nature12051).

Based on this new technology, last week pharmaceutical company Sanofi started producing artemisinin on an industrial scale. The new supply should be both more stable and affordable than the existing one.

Detailed article on this story in Science Daily.

New hepatitis virus could end chimp studies

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 09:46:00 GMT

Researchers at Columbia University in New York have discovered a new mouse virus that is similar to the hepatitis C virus (HCV), and that could represent a vital new model for the study of the disease. Currently, HCV research has to be conducted in chimpanzee, as these are the only animals whose immune response to the virus is the same as that of humans. The use of great apes in research is not permitted in the UK and is currently under close scrutiny in in the USA. Alternative models for the study of HCV are therefore vital for furthering our understanding of Hepatitis C, which affects roughly 150 million people world wide.

To identify HCV-like viruses, scientists at Columbia, led by Ian Lipkin, searched the genomes of wild rodent viruses for areas with similarity to the HCV genome. The most promising candidate, found in the deer mouse, produces similar proteins to HCV. It is too early to tell whether the deer mouse could replace the chimp in HCV studies, but the recent discovery is encouraging.

Read the research paper in mBio.

Measles outbreak in Wales continues to grow

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 16:04:00 GMT

The measles epidemic in the Swansea area, the progress of which has been followed closely by the media, continues to grow – 541 people have now been diagnosed with the disease since the outbreak began in November last year. While measles isn't usually serious, it can cause fatal complications.

The outbreak could have been prevented had there not been a drop in the MMR vaccination rate in the 1990s. At this time, some parents chose to prevent their children from being vaccinated because of the media’s ill-considered coverage of research, since discredited, that showed a link between MMR and autism.

Paediatrician David Ellman discusses the epidemic in a video; BBC news piece

An excellent piece on the MMR fiasco, and vaccine-scares more broadly, by science writer and activist Dr Ben Goldacre

Lung-dwelling bacteria pass between cystic fibrosis patients

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 15:22:00 GMT

About 3-10% of cystic fibrosis patients in Europe and the US are infected by Mycobacterium abscessus — a bacterium that causes lung damage and is resistant to multiple drugs, making it difficult to treat. Cystic fibrosis patients are more susceptible to infection with the bacterium than unaffected individuals (see the BSI’s Bitesize page on microbial infection in cystic fibrosis).

Researchers, lead by Dr Andres Floto at the Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, sequenced the genomes of bacteria from 31 cystic fibrosis patients and established that M. abscessus had spread between them. Previously it was thought that the bacteria could only be caught from water and soil. The new findings, published in The Lancet, will allow hospitals in the UK and abroad to change the way they treat cystic fibrosis patients to help reduce M. abscessus infection.

For more information: The Lancet research article and the BBC news piece on this story.

Cheap drugs and neglected diseases: tapeworm genomes revealed

Fri, 22 Mar 2013 14:35:00 GMT

Last month we wrote about neglected infectious diseases (NIDs) – diseases that typically don’t attract much investment for the development of treatments and which have the greatest impact on those living in developing countries. The World Health Organization (WHO) lists 17 of them. Many are caused by parasites, such as tapeworms.

Scientists led by Dr Matthew Berriman at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute in Cambridge, UK, last week announced that they have sequenced the genomes of four tapeworm species - Echinococcus multilocularis, E. granulosus, Taenia solium and Hymenolepis microstoma. Their findings, published in the journal Nature, allowed them to identify existing drugs that are already approved for use in humans and may be useful in combating tapeworms. Developing a new drug from scratch is an extremely costly and lengthy process (typically taking over a decade) and so the possibility of using drugs that are already at our disposal is exciting – particularly in the case of neglected infectious diseases.

Tapeworms are most damaging in their larval stage, in which they can cause a wide range of debilitating diseases and death. The global burden of tapeworm infections has been estimated at 1 million disability-adjusted life years (the number of years lost due to ill-health, disability or early death; a way of measuring overall disease burden). This figure is comparable with African trypanosomiasis, river blindness and dengue fever.

With the tapeworm genomes at their disposal, the scientists were able to search for proteins that were likely drug targets. For E. multilocularis, they drew up a list of potential targets that stretched to over 1000. From this list, they found that about 150 of the most promising targets were acted on by existing drugs. This doesn’t necessarily mean that these drugs will be useful in treating tapeworm infections, but they nevertheless show promise.

Now that the tapeworm genome sequences have been published, other groups will be able to perform their own searches on them for new drug targets. This should be a much quicker and economical way of developing new treatments to fight tapeworm infections.

Read the BBC news piece on this story.

Arthritis Research UK Career Development Fellowships

Wed, 27 Feb 2013 15:16:00 GMT

These fellowships are offered by Arthritis Research UK to provide an opportunity for scientists, nurses and allied health professionals, usually with at least 3 years’ postdoctoral experience, to develop an independent research career in any discipline relevant to arthritis and related musculoskeletal diseases. Applicants should be associated with an established sponsor, preferably within a multidisciplinary research group in a UK university department or research institute. Awards will be for up to 5 years and are not renewable.

Further information is available from the ARUK website on the Fellowships page, or from the Research Department (Tel: 0300 7900 403).

Application forms may be downloaded approximately 3 months before the deadline date and the process on how to apply is available by clicking apply.

The deadline for applications is Wednesday, 19 June 2013.

Neglected infectious diseases

Mon, 25 Feb 2013 13:00:00 GMT

One billion people suffer from one or more infectious diseases that you may not even have heard of. Elephantiasis (Lymphatic filariasis), River blindness (onchocerciasis) and Kala-azar black fever (leishmaniasis), to name just a few. ‘Neglected infectious diseases’ such as these are not often deadly but can nevertheless cause tremendous suffering.

If the Answer is P.I.D. --- What is the Question?

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 11:39:00 GMT

UKPIPS and the Immunology Team at Birmingham City Hospital are holding a meeting on Monday 4th February, 2013 - 6.30-9.00. Professor Amos Etzioni, President of the European Society for Immunodeficiencies (ESID) will give a presentation entitled ‘If the Answer is P.I.D. --- What is the Question?’. This will be held at The Hennessey Suite, Sandwell Hospital, Lyndon, All Saints Way, West Bromwich, Birmingham, B71 4HJ. Please confirm your attendance by no later than Friday 1st February by email to anne.groutage@nhs.net

Knitting neuroscientists wanted for the Barbican Weekender: Brain Waves

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 11:37:00 GMT

The team behind Knit a Neuron and the British Society for Immunology have been invited to host a drop-in knitting lounge at the Barbican Weekend: Brain Waves on the 2-3 March 2013 from 12pm - 6pm in London. We’re looking for enthusiastic neuroscientists who can knit to spend part of an afternoon knitting neurons and other brain cells with adults and children while chatting about all things brainy. We’re not looking to focus on any particular area of neuroscience, the more different areas we can cover the better!

We’ve set ourselves a bit of a challenge - our aim is to knit enough neurons to create a woolly model brain to be displayed during the BNA Festival of Neuroscience in April when we’ll be back with more knitting.

Please contact Hannah Hope (h.hope@immunology.org) for more information or to volunteer.

4th Annual Cluster Symposium – Inflammation at Interfaces

Thu, 17 Jan 2013 10:13:00 GMT

22 – 23 February 2013, Hamburg, Germany

‘Inflammation at Interfaces’ is the 4th Annual Cluster of Excellence conference and gives Cluster researchers the opportunity to present their latest results. The Inflammation at Interfaces Cluster performs research to identify the causes of chronic inflammation and to develop new therapies. The conference will also feature five mini-symposia featuring internationally renowned speakers, alongside Keynotes from Polly Matzinger, Lukas Kenner, and Steffen Gay.

PhD students and young postdocs are encouraged to present a poster at the conference. Travel awards are also available.

For further information, including how to register, please visit the conference website.

Arthritis Research UK Foundation fellowships

Tue, 08 Jan 2013 11:53:00 GMT

A competitive fellowship is offered by Arthritis Research UK to provide an opportunity for newly qualified PhD researchers to develop independent research ideas at an early stage in their career.

The Arthritis UK website has details of the application process. Deadline: 6 March 2013.

Graham Bull prize and Goulstonian Lectureship

Tue, 08 Jan 2013 11:46:00 GMT

The Graham Bull Prize is a £1,000 prize for researchers under the age of 45 who feel that they have made a major contribution to clinical science. Members and fellows of the Royal College of Physicians can apply for their own work to be considered for the award. Prize-winners will be invited to deliver the annual Goulstonian Lecture.

The deadline for applications for this year’s prize is 30 April 2013. Further details and an application form are available on the Royal College of Physicians website.

A new face at the BSI

Tue, 08 Jan 2013 10:27:00 GMT

We are pleased to welcome Andrew Brown to the BSI team. Andrew will occupy the newly-created role of Research and Communications Assistant and will work closely with all members of the Society’s Communications and Publications team.

Andrew has a background in biology and experience in science education and journal production.

Find out more about Andrew.

Immunology 2013™ Travel Grants from R&D Systems

Wed, 02 Jan 2013 16:16:00 GMT

R&D Systems is supporting immunology researchers by awarding ten travel grants of $1,000 each to attend the American Association of Immunologists' 100th Annual Meeting in Honolulu, HI from May 3-7 2013. The biotech company invites immunology researchers to apply for funding by visiting their website.

The deadline for applications is February 28, 2013. Award recipients will be determined via a random drawing and announced March 15, 2013.

BSI Members wishing to attend Immunology 2013 are reminded that the deadline for applying for a BSI Travel Award for meetings between April and June is 1 February 2013. For more details on how to apply for a BSI Travel Award click here.

BSI Summer School 2013 – Register Now

Wed, 02 Jan 2013 16:15:00 GMT

The BSI is delighted to announce that the 2013 Summer School will take place from 29 July - 1 August 2013 at Newcastle University.

Unlike conventional conferences/meetings, the BSI summer school aims to provide junior researchers with an opportunity for in-depth learning experience, provided by a top class faculty, amongst a relatively small number of attendees. The programme features invited speaker presentations and parallel tutorial/discussion groups and focuses on the themes of Chronic Inflammation, Immunodeficiency and Transplantation.

For more information on the summer school or to register please visit the Summer School 2013 website.

New Open Access Publishing Benefit For Members

Wed, 04 Jul 2012 14:46:00 GMT

We’re delighted to announce that BSI members now receive a $1000 (33 %) discount when they choose to publish in Immunology or Clinical & Experimental Immunology via our open access publishing route OnlineOpen. Publishing via OnlineOpen allows immediate free access to the article upon publication, satisfying the requirements of the Wellcome Trust and other UKPMC Funders. OnlineOpen is Wiley Blackwell's open access publishing option that as well as allowing immediate access to the article upon publication, permits non-commercial use, re-use and distribution of the article including for text and data mining.

Members can obtain this discount for accepted articles published in either of our journals by entering your BSI membership number into the OnlineOpen form when choosing this publication route.

For more information on publishing with the Society's journals please visit their respective websites; Immunology and Clinical & Experimental Immunology

ECI 2012 Bursaries Available

Wed, 20 Jun 2012 13:37:00 GMT

ECI2012 is delighted to announce that it has 26 bursaries available for international students and postdocs outside Europe. The sum available will be £750 per bursary and successful applicants can use it to cover their trip, registration and accommodation and get reimbursed in cash at the meeting. To apply please click here to download the application form which should be returned to Sarah Green (s.green@immunology.org) by 1 July 2012.

We are also delighted to annouce that the BSI are offering a number of bursaries to financially support BSI members who wish to attend this fantastic international event in Glasgow. Members can apply by completing the application form available here. The deadline for applications is 1 July 2012.

Else Kröner Fresenius Immunology Award

Wed, 13 Jun 2012 16:19:00 GMT

A call for candidates has been issued, by the foundation Else Kröner-Fresenius-Stiftung, for the Else Kröner Fresenius Immunology Award. This 4 million euro prize will be awarded to acknowledge the winner(s) for their past outstanding achievements in medical immunology and to support translation of these discoveries into health benefits worldwide.

For more details on the award and the application process click here.

Mathematical Modelling Group

Wed, 16 May 2012 14:12:00 GMT

We are delighted to announce the launch of the Mathematical Modelling Affinity Group website. The Mathematical Modelling Group is also organising a two day international workshop in Cambridge form the 25-26 June 2012. The aim of this workshop is to bring together scientists working in the areas of experimental and theoretical immunology, to discuss current challenges on lymphocyte development, viral evolution, cellular signalling and host-pathogen interactions.

Full details including how to register can be found here.

Please note that the deadline for abstract submission is 25 May 2012.

This Meeting is also being sponsored by Microsoft Research.

ANNOUNCING THE LAUNCH OF THE NEW BSI CAREERS RESOURCES

Tue, 15 May 2012 16:19:00 GMT

To mark this year's Day of Immunology, an event that aims to raise awareness of the science of immunology amongst the public, the BSI has fully updated its careers & educational resources - with comprehensive information about where to study immunology in higher education, as well as information about the range of employment opportunities available beyond that - including comprehensive job profiles. This also includes background information about the origins of immunology, as well as knowledge about how a career in research is developed today. If you are a school student, PhD student or postdoc this provides valuable guidance.

Please click here to find-out more.

Professor Eddy Liew Awarded Fellowship of the Royal Society

Tue, 15 May 2012 16:18:00 GMT

The BSI wishes to congratulate immunologist Professor Eddy Liew (University of Glasgow) upon his election to Fellowship of the Royal Society, the prestigious scientific institution that has been in continuous existence since 1660. Professor Liew is noted particularly for his work in establishing the role of nitric oxide, and the cytokines IL-15, IL-18 and IL-33, in immune regulation.

He is President of the forthcoming ECI 2012 meeting to be held in Glasgow in September, and has been a noted supporter of BSI activities, including serving as a member of the BSI Council.

Professor Liew is not the only immunologist to be honoured this year, he is joined by Ian Maclennan, Timothy Williams, Gordon Dougan. Congratulations to these researchers!

ECI 2012, 5 - 8 SEPTEMBER, GLASGOW: ABSTRACT SUBMISSIONS & BSI BURSARIES

Tue, 15 May 2012 16:15:00 GMT

The BSI is pleased to announce that abstract submission for the ECI 2012 meeting is now open. You may submit your abstracts here.

We are also delighted to announce that we are offering a number of bursaries to financially support BSI members who wish to attend this fantastic international event in Glasgow. Members can apply by completing the application form available here.

The deadline for applications is 1 July 2012

Asthma UK: Launch of Research Strategy, Fellowships and Research Centre

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 11:34:00 GMT

Asthma UK has launched its new research strategy, which is intended to apply for the next five years. The strategy includes a list of the research areas and topics which will be supported. They also calling for applications their 2012 Research Fellowship Awards due to commence from this October. They are offering awards for individuals who wish to develop, or continue developing, their career in asthma research. Deadline: 27 April 2012.

Work is now underway on the Asthma UK Centre for Applied Research. A call for applications (which will be limited to expressions of interest in the first instance) will be issued on or around the 4 May 2012. The Research Team will also be holding an open information event at Asthma UK’s offices in London on the afternoon of Monday 14 May 2012. Interested parties should contact the Research Team.

ARUK Foundation Fellowship

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 11:12:27 GMT

A competitive fellowship is offered by Arthritis Research UK to provide an opportunity for newly qualified PhD researchers to develop independent research ideas at an early stage in their career.

For more information click here.

BSI Young Immunologists Forum, 13–15 April 2012: Applications

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 15:53:41 GMT

The Young Immunologists Forum (YIF) is a residential event for early career immunologists that will aim to explore the factors that underpin a successful research career, as well as providing an excellent opportunity to share research findings, foster collaboration, and have some fun via social and interactive activities. We have a confirmed panel of internationally renowned senior immunologists who will share their wisdom on grants, successful research careers and academic/industrial collaborations.

It will take place in the beautiful surroundings of Great Missenden Abbey, and attendance will be limited to 40 places, and subject to a competitive application process. To find-out more about this excellent opportunity, and how to apply, please go here.

Couch potato or elite athlete? A happy medium keeps colds at bay!

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 12:08:05 GMT

Battling colds and doing (or pledging to do) more exercise are familiar activities for most of us in January. But different levels of exercise can actually significantly increase or decrease your chances of catching a respiratory infection. While regular moderate exercise can reduce the risk of catching cold-like infections, prolonged strenuous exercise, such as marathons, can make an individual more susceptible.

To find out more about this topical area of research, and to access a downloadable resource on the subject, click here.

Trauma

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 11:28:47 GMT

The Collins paperback dictionary has two definitions of trauma; the psychological impact of an emotional shock and the pathology of any bodily injury or wound. The two definitions are merged together in the exhibition Trauma, curated by Dr Jonathan Hutt and Bojana Popovic, at the GV Art Gallery in Marylebone, London. Here the art is seen through a microscope as well as on the walls, in an exhibition that is laced with immunology and well worth a visit.

For more information click here.

Science, Medicine and the Media - An introduction to effective interviews

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 12:50:49 GMT

As part of this year’s Congress we’re delighted to be offering members the opportunity to take part in a media training course specially tailored for researchers. The course will take place on the first Monday 5 December at Congress from 1300-1700 and all delegates are invited to take part.

This fast paced and practical workshop, led by science journalist and former Director of the Research for Health Charities Group, Myc Riggulsford will focus on how communication works, how to use the media effectively, and how academic researchers can improve their ability to convey key messages to decision makers and address public audiences.

Participants will gain an unparalleled insight into the way you can gain recognition for your own research department and academic institute while also assisting the British Society for Immunology in acting as a spokesperson for our discipline, helping to raise the public profile and understanding of our increasingly important area of science. Myc will be joined by Quentin Cooper and Susan Alexander to ensure participants receive personal feedback from the workshop.

There is no charge for this opportunity but we’d like to know why you’d like to take part, any proven interest in science communication and how you would use the training to speak on behalf of the Society. Please email m.lucas@immunology.org with details, by Monday 28th November 2011. We will notify you by 1 December if you have been successful. Places are limited.

BSI Congress 2011 Careers Session

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 16:47:16 GMT

We're delighted to annouce the line-up for the careers session taking place on the Monday of Congress 2011. Using the popular question time format, attendees at the session will have the opportunity to put their questions to our panel of speakers which includes representatives from the academic, clinical, industry, careers and broadcasting fields.

For more information and to submit your question click here.

CIRCA Research Fellowships and Project Grant

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 15:37:30 GMT

The Crohn’s in Childhood Research Association (CICRA) is dedicated to supporting medical and scientific research into understanding and treating Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis at gastroenterological centres nationwide. CICRA are inviting applications for the Dave Casson Research Fellowship in Paediatric Gastroenterology, PhD studentship and a Project Grant for research into Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

For more information click here.

MS: The Big Knit goes to The Blizard Institute

Tue, 25 Oct 2011 13:54:00 GMT

The giant woolly art installations that is MS: the big knitwill be on show at Whitechapel’s Blizard Institute from 7 - 11 November to promote awareness and understanding of the disease Multiple Sclerosis.

The knitted artworks are a collaborative project between artist Alison Thomson, the British Society for Immunology, and an army of keen knitters across the UK. Launched at The Times Cheltenham Science Festival earlier this year with the help of MS researchers at Queen Mary, University of London, the exhibition is now touring the country. The Blizard Institute, the base for Queen Mary’s internationally recognised Centre for Neuroscience and Trauma, will host the exhibition in the Centre for the Cell, Perrin Lecture Theatre.

A launch event is being held from 5 - 8 pm on the 7 November and will feature keynote speakers from Queen Mary’s neuroimmunology research group. The event is open to all and free to attend, drinks will be provided. Please RSVP to alison.thomson@network.rca.ac.uk.

For more information about the event or the MS: the big knit project click here.

Engaging with policy seminar

Tue, 25 Oct 2011 10:34:25 GMT

The Society of Biology and the Centre for Science and Policy are holding a policy seminar for early career scientists with an interest in policy work on 11th November at Charles Darwin House, London. The seminar will introduce researchers to the opportunities and realities of engaging with policy and consider both how policy officials seek science advice and how scientists can present it.

For more information about the event click here.

BSI Congress – Update

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 14:38:35 GMT

With less than two months to go before the BSI Congress preparations are in full swing. One thing that we’ve been working on is Meet the Speakers, a new section of the website which is now live. Meet the speakers gives you an introduction to all the people presenting at Congress. We’re still missing one or two people so be sure to check the website regularly for updates.

The deadline for abstract submission in the Late Breaking Posters category is 15 October. So don’t miss this final opportunity to present your research at BSI 2011. If you’ve not already registered, there’s still time and members of the BSI receive discounted registration rates.

Visit www.bsi2011.com for more information.

Biosciences Teacher of the Year Award

Tue, 04 Oct 2011 11:50:26 GMT

The Bioscience Teacher of the Year Award seeks to identify the UK's leading bioscience university teachers, recognising the invaluable role played by Teachers in Higher Education. The competition, organised by the Society of Biology, is open to all employed bioscience teachers in the UK higher education system. Individuals can be nominated either by self, peer or management nomination.

For more information about this award click here.

Nobel Prize in Medicine 2011 – Immunologists Triumph!

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 10:38:04 GMT

A trio of immunologists have triumphed in this year's Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine. Bruce Beutler, Jules Hoffmann, and Ralph Steinman have been recognised for their work in innate recognition of pathogens via TLRs (Beutler & Hoffmann) and for the discovery of the dendritic cell (Steinman).

This represents exceptional, and well-deserved, recognition for key work that has fundamentally shaped our current understanding of immune function, particularly how innate immunity coordinates with adaptive immunity. You can follow events as they unfold here. The BSI offers its congratulations!

FameLab

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 11:28:05 GMT

Have you got the science x-factor? Can you explain a science. engineering or maths concept in an engaging way to non-scientists in just three minutes? If so then why not enter the FameLab 2011 competition. FameLab not only inspires the next generation of science communicators but excels at building the skills that enables scientists and engineers to explain, debate, discuss and be challenged.

For more information about FameLab and how to enter click here.

Take part in NSEW 2012

Mon, 05 Sep 2011 15:26:22 GMT

Each March National Science & Engineering Week shines the spotlight on the sciences and engineering. Showing how they relate to our everyday lives and helping to inspire the next generation of scientists through fun and participative activities. It’s a great opportunity for researchers to share their love of science and talk about their work to a wider audience.

For more information about how to get involved in NSEW 2012 and for details on FREE informations sessions taking place around the country click here.

R10K Project - Proposals Wanted

Fri, 26 Aug 2011 15:34:06 GMT

The R10K Project is an international collaborative effort to sequence the immune repertoire (T and B cells) from 10,000 samples that represent 100 diseases. It is led by the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology. Using novel sequencing techniques they aim to identify disease-specific CDR3s for diagnosis, prognosis and treatment evaluations. They are inviting researchers worldwide to work with them by proposing diseases to study within their four areas of focus.

For more information on the project and how to submit your proposal click here.

Radio 4 Programme ‘The Path of Least Resistance’

Thu, 18 Aug 2011 11:29:27 GMT

Dr Stuart Flanagan works in a sexual health clinic and regularly treats patients with bacterial infections. In ‘The Path of Least Resistance’ he explores the subject of antibiotic resistance from how resistance evolved in bacteria to the impact that resistant bacteria have on treating infections. Stuart Flanagan hears from Professor Chris Butler, Cardiff University, about reducing antibiotic prescribing, and from Dr Jennifer Byrne, Queens Medical Centre, about treating immuno-suppressed patients. Dr David Livermore of the Health Protection Agency explains how we've helped resistance to grow and Otto Cars of ReAct - an independent global network tackling antibiotic resistance - considers the global options.

Listen to this programme on BBC iPlayer.

New study on Integrating Teaching and Research

Tue, 09 Aug 2011 10:59:24 GMT

Practices and Approaches for the Integration of Teaching and Research, is a project funded by the National HE STEM Programme and led by Imperial College London. The aim of the project is to identify and disseminate practices that help academic staff manage and integrate their research and teaching roles. The project is looking to speak to accomplished researchers (e.g. individuals with a strong publication record and international reputation in a STEM discipline) who are also widely recognised as outstanding teachers. They are also interested in collating current institutional practices that support new lecturers.

For more information about this project, including how to contribute to it click here.

MS: the big knit at the Playgroup Festival

Tue, 02 Aug 2011 16:11:19 GMT

If you're going to the Playgroup Festival this weekend, why not come and join us for some knitted science. We'll be there on Sunday from 10-12 with all the things you need to make your own brain cell to take home. Bring your breakfast and join us for a knit and natter near the Forests of the Thoughts Stage.

If knitting isn't your thing then how about stitching a bacteria or having your insides painted on your outside with some anatomical body painting? It'll all be there at the same time so come along.

For more information about the Playgroup Festival visit their website. To find out more about MS: the big knit click here.

NC3Rs CRACK-IT Challenges

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 11:41:47 GMT

CRACK-IT Challenges is a competition, run by the NC3Rs, to facilitate the development of new technologies and methodologies with the potential to minimise animal use and improve animal welfare for the global bioscience research community. For 2011, there are five Challenges that have been set covering all areas of biomedical research.

For more information about the competition and the Challenges click here.

BBC Radio 4 Programme: 'Am I Normal?' on Immunity

Wed, 27 Jul 2011 10:14:51 GMT

Vivienne Parry explores the question of what constitutes a 'normal' immune system – taking on board the effects of stress, aging and other factors; as well as examining the claims for various immune "boosting" products. Features contributions from noted immunologists inc. Prof. Arne Akbar (UCL), Prof. Graham Rook (UCL), Prof. Jean-Laurent Casanova (Rockefeller Uni), and Dr Jo Sheldon (St Georges). Available here on 'Listen Again'.

Regulating chemokine receptors

Tue, 26 Jul 2011 13:43:37 GMT

Chemokines and their receptors are vital for the maintenance of the immune system, controlling the migration of leukocytes. Chemokine receptors are tightly regulated and represent an important drug target due their association with inflammatory diseases and cancers. A new review out today in Immunology discusses our current knowledge of the molecular mechanisms contributing to the regulation of chemokine receptor activity.

To read the review by Bennett et al click here.

'How to succeed in science'

Thu, 14 Jul 2011 15:40:59 GMT

This one day symposium at Imperial College London features a series of talks and discussions to help you make important choices for your future, featuring speakers from Nature, Science, Wellcome Trust, NC3Rs and others.

To find out more about this symposium organised by the Centre for Integrative Mammalian Physiology and Pharmacology click here.

CEI & Immunology: 2010 Impact Factors Announced

Wed, 29 Jun 2011 15:15:49 GMT

We are pleased to note that both of the BSI journals have experienced a rise in their impact factors this year: Immunology now stands at 3.302 and CEI 3.134. These increases are a tribute to the continued efforts of both Editors in Chief, Danny Altmann and Mark Peakman, and their respective teams of Associate Editors, to attract and commission the very best content. We are also grateful to our in-house editorial staff, and our publishers Wiley-Blackwell.

Stitched Science Weekend

Thu, 23 Jun 2011 15:03:15 GMT

The Science Museum have teamed up with Stich London to provide a weekend of knitting and stitching events all relating to science on the 25 and 26 June. Can’t stitch or knit? Don’t worry there will be workshops to help you master the science of stitching.

The BSI’s newly completed 'MS: the bit knit' artwork will be on display through out the weekend. In addition you can knit a neuron, make part of a giant Jupiter or created your own ‘Martian’.

For the full programme of events visit the Stitched Science website.

Greying Matters

Fri, 17 Jun 2011 13:08:11 GMT

‘Use it, or lose it.’ We’re told to keep our brains alert, healthy and active. Is it that simple? Our brains are remarkable, and able to adapt and learn throughout life. So what happens as we grow older?

Join us at the Dana Centre on Thursday 23 June at 7pm as Judith Willetts (BSI) explores the effects that aging has on the brain with David Dexter and Felicity Gavins from Imperial College London and Jane Grierson author of ‘Knickers in the Fridge’.

This event is free to attend but a reservation is required. To find out more or to reserve a ticket visit the Dana Centre website.

GenerationQ leadership programme

Tue, 14 Jun 2011 14:59:15 GMT

GenerationQ is a pioneering leadership programme run by the Health Foundation. It is designed to develop a new generation of Health Foundation Fellows who are skilled and effective leaders of quality improvement in healthcare. This programme is aimed at clinicians who are in early/mid career who wish to develop their leadership skills and is a fully funded programme for the successful applicants.

More information on this programme is available from the Health Foundation.

Closing date for applications is Monday 18 July 2011.

EFIS Day of Immunology 2011: Latest blog updates!

Wed, 25 May 2011 15:28:26 GMT

The BSI is supporting a special DOI blog written by PhD student, Rupsha Fraser, currently at the Frontiers in Reproduction course on Cape Cod in the US. Read more here.

Why not post a question to Rupsha via the discussion board on our Facebook page?

White Book on Allergy

Wed, 25 May 2011 10:40:27 GMT

The World Allergy Organisation's White Book On Allergy is now available. The White Book outlines data documenting the global rise in allergic disease, with about 30-40 % of the world population now being affected by one or more allergic condition. As a result they argue that allergy should be considered as a major global public health issue. The report provides recommendations on improving the provision of allergy care through improvements in clinical care, education, research and training.

The executive summary and the full White Book On Allergy can be downloaded from the WAO website.

DOI 2011: Lates Blog Update from Rupsha

Fri, 20 May 2011 08:55:11 GMT

Read the latest from our intrepid reproductive immunologist, Rupsha Fraser, currently at the prestigious Frontiers in Reproduction course on Cape Cod.. Evidently, it's a much more complicated business than some might imagine...

Opening up scientific information: Royal Society study

Tue, 17 May 2011 13:13:41 GMT

Since the formation of the Royal Society scientific literature has taken the form of letters and papers. Where as hand drawn figures and graphs accompanied early scientific papers, modern day articles are supported by mega-, giga-, tera- and even petabytes of data. But despite this massive digitisation and the increased complexity of science, have we changed how we use scientific information? Could it be more wisely used to increase the speed of innovation and increase public benefit of science. A new study by the Royal Society aims to find out and they want to know what you think.

To find out more click here.

Science Question Time Goes North

Fri, 06 May 2011 11:11:06 GMT

Science Question Time is a joint venture between the Biochemical Society, Campaign for Science and Engineering and staff at Imperial College London. It is an event that brings together scientists, policy makers, science communicators and anyone with an interest to discuss the latest issues in science. For the third event Science Question Time is moving out of London and is off to the Manchester Institute of Innovation to discuss innovation in science and technology, including the role it can play in cities such as Manchester.

The event will take place on Thursday 12 May 2011 from 6.30 pm. For more information about the event click here.

EFIS DAY OF IMMUNOLOGY 2011: SPECIAL BSI BLOG UPDATES

Tue, 03 May 2011 10:48:53 GMT

03 May 2011

The annual event that is the EFIS Day of Immunology has come around again - providing opportunities for immunologists across the globe to raise awareness of this fascinating subject. This year the BSI is supporting a special blog written by PhD student, Rupsha Fraser, one of the attendees at the prestigious Frontiers in Reproduction course that runs over the next six weeks. She's recently arrived, and has just had time to make her initial reports as the course starts in earnest. Read more here.

MS: the big knit

Wed, 20 Apr 2011 10:28:33 GMT

At this year’s Cheltenham Science Festival we’re aiming to create a visual record of our talk on Multiple Sclerosis by knitting brain cells and other aspects of MS to create a woolly artwork for the world to see. You can take part in this exciting project by knitting a cell and sending it in to us. We’ve got a whole host of patterns to be knitted from brain cells to sources of vitamin D. There are patterns for all levels, so go on dive in, and knit something for the big knit artwork.

To find out more click here.

Royal Society Pairing Scheme

Wed, 13 Apr 2011 09:43:16 GMT

Ever wondered what MPs and civil servants do? Or why it’s so hard for scientific research to influence policy? This Royal Society scheme gives you an opportunity to find out the inner workings of government by pairing you with an MP or civil servant.

For more information click here.

Antimicrobial Resistance - World Health Day, 7 April 2011

Thu, 07 Apr 2011 10:22:37 GMT

This year's WHO World Health Day takes as its theme the topic of antimicrobial resistance – an increasingly important question that has profound implications for the future of global health care. The topic not only encompasses the question of bacterial resistance to antibiotics, but also other drugs used to treat viruses, protozoal diseases and parasites. Immunologists have an important role to play in easing reliance upon these vitally important drugs through the development of vaccines for globally important diseases such as HIV/AIDS, malaria & TB. The BSI lends its voice to this important topic. You can read more about the development of antibiotics here.

Immunoglobulin therapy

Wed, 06 Apr 2011 14:20:23 GMT

A special supplement to the June edition of CEI reviews immunogobulin therapy and its use in treating primary immunodeficiencies. In use for the last 20 years, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is the standard therapy for many primary and secondary immunodeficiencies. Initially thought to modulate immune responses passively recent studies have shown a more active role for IVIG in these processes altering dendritic cell differentiation and B cell function.

To find out more visit the CEI Immunoglobulin supplement here. All reviews in this supplement are free to access.

World Primary Immunodeficiency Week, 22-29 April 2011

Wed, 06 Apr 2011 11:55:23 GMT

The upcoming World PI Week is an opportunity to bring a global perspective to immunodeficiency, that group of conditions that, although relatively rare, can nevertheless profoundly affect the lives of patients. This inaugural event presents an opportunity for those in the field, or who support it, to raise awareness of these conditions worldwide. The event website provides comprehensive information detailing event activities, and you can also read an editorial written by ESID President, Prof. Amos Etzioni, that highlights the pressing issues in PID.

PhD Writing Competition - Quills at the Ready...

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 12:10:32 GMT

This competition is an opportunity for PhD members of the BSI to give an engaging spin to the subject of science. We are very pleased to announce that Dr Olive Leavy, Acting Chief Editor of Nature Reviews Immunology has agreed to act as one of the judges – with an opportunity for the winner to spend time at the Nature offices. Further details here.

Closing date: 1 June 2011.

Vacancies on the HEFCE Healthcare Education Committee

Mon, 28 Mar 2011 12:04:56 GMT

The HEFCE advisory committee UK Healthcare Education Advisory Committee (UKHEAC), is seeking to recruit new members with knowledge of the education or healthcare system and the vision to contribute to the development of healthcare education.

To find out more about the committee click here.

Biology and the budget

Thu, 24 Mar 2011 11:24:03 GMT

Science is central to our future as a place to create businesses said the Chancellor in his Budget statement yesterday. Life sciences played a key role in the budget announcement which focussed on the government vision for growth.

To find out more click here.

ARC Leopold Griffuel Prize

Mon, 21 Mar 2011 11:02:04 GMT

Applications are invited for the ARC Leopold Griffuel Prize for work leading to a major breakthrough in cancer research. The prize of €100 000 is awarded annually to a scientist or research team.

For more information click here.

The secret life of snot

Fri, 18 Mar 2011 16:00:00 GMT

The BSI was at The Big Bang Fair 2011 last week with our stand ‘The secret life of snot’, giving people an opportunity to get up close with the green stuff itself. Our giant crawl through nose was a crowd stopper and visitors to the stand made over 15 l of snot in 3 days!

You can find all our snot related resources and see photos from the fair on the Secret Life of Snot webpage.

(Ig)A new treatment for Tuberculosis

Wed, 02 Mar 2011 15:26:31 GMT

Monoclonal antibodies as passive immunotherapies are perhaps most closely associated with the success story of cancer therapy and a billion dollar industry. But it was in the treatment of infectious diseases that passive immunotherapy was born, with the development of the diphtheria antitoxin. A new paper published in the current edition of the Journal of Immunology reports the development of a novel monoclonal antibody that protects against Tuberculosis.

To find out more click here.

Arthritis Research UK Career Development Fellowships

Thu, 24 Feb 2011 11:33:32 GMT

These career development fellowships are offered by Arthritis Research UK to provide an opportunity for scientists, nurses and allied health professionals, usually with at least 3 years’ postdoctoral experience, to develop an independent research career in any discipline relevant to arthritis and related musculoskeletal diseases.

For more information click here.

Fulbright Multiple Sclerosis Society Research Award

Thu, 24 Feb 2011 11:29:14 GMT

The Fulbright MS Society Award is a one year award to enable an individual to pursue research into the clinical or biomedical aspects of MS at any accredited US higher education institution.

To find out more click here.

"Are men 9 times better at science than women?”

Thu, 17 Feb 2011 17:35:45 GMT

That was one of many questions asked at Science Question Time last night. Yes, science now has its own Question Time, run by the Biochemical Society, CaSE and staff at Imperial College London and this new event seeks to discuss the latest issues in science.

You can find a summary of what Prof Sophie Scott, Prof Luke Georghiou, Sir Mark Walport and Dr James Wilsdon thought about the science budget, funding models, democracy, careers, and more by clicking here.

CEI & IMMUNOLOGY: New Journal Homepages

Thu, 17 Feb 2011 15:59:00 GMT

We are pleased to announce the newly updated BSI journal homepages on Wiley Online Library where you can access the latest reviews, and the regularly updated Top 20 article downloads for each journal - which may be accessed for free. With thanks to our colleagues at Wiley-Blackwell. Click through to CEI or Immunology to find-out more.

Data Overload

Wed, 16 Feb 2011 16:39:18 GMT

Genomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics and of course immunomics. The suffix –omics is synonymous these days with large amounts of data. Data storage and processing has become a major issue in biology, in 2009 the Sanger Institute data storage centre contained 4 petabytes, or 1 quadrillion bytes. The decreasing cost of genome sequencing and other techniques is only going to worsen this problem. As we generate increasing volumes of data each day do we really know what we’re doing when it comes to its analysis and presentation? Do we have the tools that we need?

To find out more click here.

Immunological approaches to combating infection meeting

Fri, 11 Feb 2011 11:43:03 GMT

This joint meeting of the BSI Infection and Immunity, and Vaccine affinity groups will take place on 6 April 2011 at Great Portland Street, London. Speakers include Prof Andy Stagg, Prof Bernhard Moser, Prof Peter Openshaw, Dr Caroline Rowlands and Dr Sarah Gilbert.

Registration is free to members of the BSI or £10 for non-members.

To find out more about this meeting or to register click here.

Drink up your parasites!

Wed, 09 Feb 2011 13:08:27 GMT

We are increasingly aware of the immunomodulatory capabilities of intestinal parasites in humans. Promoting the survival of themselves, and us, through the induction of regulatory T cells and the promotion of Th2-like responses. The demise of chronic parasite infections has repeatedly been linked to the rise of autoimmune diseases in the western world. Could reversing this disturbing rising tide of autoimmune disease be as simple as returning parasites to the human body? Evidence from a trial published in 2005 where Trichuris suis, the pig whipworm, ova were given as a drink to patients with Crohn’s disease suggested yes. Now the FDA has recently approved a number of Phase I clinical trials extending this work to test patients with Autism, Multiple Sclerosis and severe food allergies.

Find out more in this fascinating article in The Scientist.

2011 L’Oréal-UNESCO UK and Ireland Women In Science fellowships

Mon, 07 Feb 2011 12:02:45 GMT

L’Oréal UK and Ireland, the UK National Commission for UNESCO and the Irish National Commission for UNESCO, with the support of the Royal Society have partnered together to provide a dedicated UK and Ireland For Women In Science Fellowship Programme. This annual programme for women scientists at postdoctoral level aims to enable and/or facilitate promising scientific research in the life or physical sciences.

To find out more click here.

e-Bug

Fri, 28 Jan 2011 11:16:24 GMT

e-Bug is a European wide antibiotic and hygiene teaching resource for junior and senior school children run by the HPA and ECDC. It teaches an awareness of the benefits of antibiotics, but also issues including antibiotic resistance in the community. The areas of hand and respiratory hygiene and spread of infections in the community are also covered. The e-Bug pack is accompanied by an interactive website hosting complementary games, interactive quizzes, disease fact sheets and much more.

Visit the e-Bug website.

What do I do with my poster now?

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 15:14:35 GMT

Congress may be long gone but you’ve probably still got your poster in a corner of your lab. Perhaps it forms part of a pile of posters, each one from a different meeting. Looking at the pile, it perhaps seems a bit of a waste all those little results and diagrams that maybe didn’t/won’t make it into a paper collecting dust. But it doesn’t have to be that way, F1000 have created a new open access depository for posters giving you the opportunity to share your work with a wider audience. Not only can you share your own poster, but perhaps you can find the poster relating to those notes that you made, which just don’t make sense anymore…..

To find out more about the new F1000 Posters click here.

Controlling T cell proliferation

Fri, 21 Jan 2011 12:01:18 GMT

A central feature of cell-mediated immunity is clonal expansion of specific activated lymphocytes in response to cytokines. The mechanisms that restrict expansion solely to activated T cells that have bound their cognate antigen are incompletely understood. Now an article published in this fortnight’s edition of EMBO has revealed one mechanism of restriction which requires chromatin compaction.

To find out more click here.

American Asthma Foundation Research Programme

Wed, 19 Jan 2011 12:54:15 GMT

The AAF Research Programme seeks to attract new investigators to the field of Asthma research by providing 3 year grants to support basic research to uncover the mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of Asthma.

To find out more click here.

Asthma UK 2011 Foundation Grants

Tue, 11 Jan 2011 10:40:59 GMT

Asthma UK has launched its 2011 Foundation grants call. The one year Foundation grants will fund both basic and clinical research aimed at increasing our understanding of the disease and identifying new treatments. In addition the charity is looking for researchers to help them develop their future research priorities.

To find out more click here.

A LOOK BACK AT CONGRESS 2010

Mon, 10 Jan 2011 14:35:21 GMT

Thanks to all of our supporters for making Congress 2010 such a success. You can find photos and reports from the recent BSI Congress here.

Diagnostic tests - fishing for new targets

Mon, 10 Jan 2011 14:34:18 GMT

A new technique to identify diseases such as Alzheimer’s through a blood test was reported in the media last week. This exciting new technique uses the immune system’s ability to recognise foreign objects.

To find out more click here.

Arthritis Research UK FOUNDATION FELLOWSHIPS

Thu, 06 Jan 2011 10:46:00 GMT

BSI Congress 2010...IS LIVE!

Tue, 07 Dec 2010 16:08:00 GMT

Click here for the latest from the congress and stay tuned via the homepage, RSS and Facebook!

And don't forget, if you're in Liverpool for congress and looking for something to do afterhours, download A Very Rough Guide to Pubs, Clubs and Restaurants, prepared by our own Stuart Marshall-Clarke for Congress 2010.

BSI Congress 2010 Countdown – See you there!

Fri, 03 Dec 2010 15:30:18 GMT

We’ll be adding live comments to the website during congress – so stay tuned via the homepage, RSS and Facebook!

We’re ready to roll with just a reminder that for those intending to attend the ‘Bright Sparks’ and Careers Workshop sessions (from 1.30pm) registration will be open from 12.30pm on Monday 6th December – come along, and bring your friends. Keynote Address from Prof Sir Ravinder Maini from 6.15pm followed by Welcome Reception.

A warm welcome guaranteed, but remember to wrap-up warm (long johns, if you dare)…and remember that you can still register to attend the meeting during congress!

The bacteria we breathe

Fri, 26 Nov 2010 14:04:59 GMT

The normal gut flora of humans is known to influence many aspects of our lives such as our body weight, the function of our immune systems and the diseases we may suffer. But what about the bacterial flora in other areas of our body, can they also predispose us to disease? Can the bacteria in our lungs for instance make us more likely to get asthma?

To find out more click here

I’m a scientist, get me out of here!

Tue, 23 Nov 2010 11:51:25 GMT

I’m a Scientist is like school science lessons meet the X Factor! Scientists chat to school students about their work. The students then vote for which scientist gets a prize of £500 to communicate their work. Next rounds are March and June 2011 and they’re looking for scientists and schools to take part.

Click here for more information

The Building Blocks of Immunity

Mon, 22 Nov 2010 11:25:32 GMT

The origins of life and the universe are never too far from the headlines. With the latest results from CERN among newspaper headlines and David Attenborough’s Origins of Life capturing television audiences in the UK. A review published last Friday documents the surprising similarities between defence mechanisms of organisms whose last common ancestor is estimated to have existed 1 billion years ago.

To find out more click here.

Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 Research Fellowships

Tue, 09 Nov 2010 15:03:00 GMT

The Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 was founded to organise the Great Exhibition. The 1851 Research Fellowships are intended to give young scientists or engineers of exceptional promise the opportunity to conduct a research project of their own instigation.

To find out more click here.

Immunology in Action 2010 Results

Fri, 05 Nov 2010 11:35:16 GMT

To celebrate this year’s Day of Immunology we launched Immunology in Action 2010, an image competition to the celebrate diversity of our subject. Our main theme was communication: we wanted images that would help to communicate immunological concepts to a wider audience. We received cartoons, paintings, micrographs, and photos from around the globe and were very impressed by the diversity and quality of the images that we received. As too were our judges: Professor David Gray, Mark Henderson and Tom Pringle to whom we are very grateful for taking the time to judge all of the images that we received.

Click here to see the winning entries.

In vivo training course in Immunology 2011

Thu, 04 Nov 2010 12:21:41 GMT

The University of Glasgow will be running a one week residential training course on in vivo immunology skills from Monday 5 until Friday 9 September 2011. Featuring the use of the latest models and techniques to assess immune responses in vivo in the context of disease and its treatment, which will include familiarization with in vivo models of infectious, inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, use of novel systems to assess and manipulate immune responses in vivo and training in analysis of immune responses in vivo.

The deadline for applications is 20 December 2010

For more information on this and other short courses click here.

'Advance of the Year 2010' Competition

Thu, 28 Oct 2010 10:11:28 GMT

Have you been using a cutting-edge technique you want your colleagues to know about?
Have you read about a breakthrough method that you believe will change the way immunology operates?
Here is your chance to share that insight with your community, and win prizes in the process!

About the competition…

Judges wanted for 2011 National Science & Engineering Competition

Wed, 27 Oct 2010 13:05:02 GMT

The British Science Association is looking for scientists willing to judge the 2011 National Science & Engineering Competition (NSEC). The final will take place in March at the The Big Bang being held at London’s ExCeL where there will be around 200 engaging and inspiring student projects.

To find out more click here

The Science of Bioterrorism

Thu, 21 Oct 2010 13:17:03 GMT

This month’s adult-only Lates event at the Science Museum (London) looks at the science of bioterrorism. Learn how to protect yourself from the biological outbreak that they’ll be simulating in the Museum, and if you get infected display your symptoms with some gruesome make-up. Traditional Lates’ activities such as the silent disco and launchpad gallery will be there as well (should you escape the infection!).

The Science of Bioterrorism 27 October 18.45-22.00

For more information visit the Science Museum website

The BSI is looking for a PA / Office Co-ordinator!

Fri, 15 Oct 2010 16:02:00 GMT

Do you have excellent organisation and communication skills? Click here to download further details about the position and the selection process. We can offer a competitive salary in the range of £24 - £30K.

Deadline for applications: 5:00pm Monday 01 November 2010

Danger signals and sterile inflammation

Fri, 15 Oct 2010 13:39:46 GMT

Slamming your fingers in the door is a painful experience, made more so by the resulting redness and swelling caused by inflammation. Known as sterile inflammation, due to the lack of any infection, it can in certain conditions such as in ischemic injuries lead to increased tissue damage. A new article in Science dissects the pathway that induces sterile inflammation using in vivo microscopy.

To read more click here.

Reflect

Thu, 14 Oct 2010 10:51:30 GMT

When reading a life sciences article genes or proteins frequently appear that you want to more about. Reflect is a free service that tags gene, protein, and small molecule names in any web page within a few seconds. Clicking on a tagged term opens a small popup showing summary information including sequence, 3D structure, synonyms and database identifiers. Reflect can be installed as a plugin to Firefox or Internet Explorer, or can used by entering a URL on their website.

Visit the Reflect website to trial this informative little tool.

Breast Cancer Campaign Scientific Fellowships

Tue, 12 Oct 2010 09:24:08 GMT

Breast Cancer Campaign is offering 5 year scientific fellowships for post-doctoral scientists to become independent researchers specialising in the field of breast cancer.

For more information click here

immunopaedia.org

Fri, 08 Oct 2010 11:17:59 GMT

Initially developed for clinicians in South Africa to help them understand the immunological background to diseases particularly HIV. Immunopaedia is a web resource consisting of Clinical Cases, Immunology Learning, and Treatment and Diagnostics. With freely downloadable clear graphics and case study related questionnaires Immunopaedia provides an excellent learning resource for all.

Visit Immunopaedia

Microglia as mediators of tau pathology

Thu, 07 Oct 2010 14:31:26 GMT

Alzheimer’s disease and related tauopathies are characterised by the presence of aggregates of the protein tau. Increasing evidence has suggested an involvement of neuroinflammation in these diseases. A new paper published in Neuron provides a mechanistic link between microglia, inflammation and neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s disease.

To read more click here.

JISC eContent Grants

Mon, 04 Oct 2010 13:28:30 GMT

JISC is funded by the UK HE and FE funding bodies to provide world-class leadership in the innovative use of ICT to support education and research. JISC invites institutions to submit funding proposals for projects to be funded as part of its e-content programme for 2011 under the themes of enriching digital content and developing community content.

To find out more click here

Join The "Science is Vital" Campaign

Fri, 01 Oct 2010 10:10:14 GMT

As we’re all aware, British science may be in for some unprecedented cuts on 20 October when the government's departmental budgets will be announced. Cuts to the science budget will affect everything, from science communication and public engagement, to blue-skies research and applied science, so we as scientists need to make sure our voice is heard.

Join "Science is Vital" and help to try and make the case for science because of it’s vital for the UK economy, and our society.

To find out more click here.

Wellcome Trust/NIH PhD studentships open for applications

Wed, 22 Sep 2010 12:48:39 GMT

Applications are now open for the Wellcome Trust and National Institutes of Health Four-year PhD Studentships. The scheme provides opportunities for the most promising postgraduate students to undertake international, collaborative four-year PhD training based in both a UK/Republic of Ireland academic institution and the intramural campus of the National Institutes of Health at Bethesda in Maryland, USA.

For more information click here

AAAS Science Careers Events

Wed, 15 Sep 2010 09:57:00 GMT

Science Careers have two upcoming events of potential interest to young researchers wanting to develop their careers and explore different career possibilities:

Webinar: Facts and Fiction Careers in Industry and Academia on the 22 September at 4pm (GMT)

SMART TRACK at the Royal Society in London on 19 November

ACCEA 2011 awards round has now commenced

Thu, 09 Sep 2010 15:42:49 GMT

The 2011 round of the Advisory Committee on Clinical Excellence Awards (ACCEA) has now commenced. As with previous years, the BSI would like to support the application of eligible BSI members. Completed applications should be forwarded to richard.herriot@nhs.net by 5:00pm Thursday 30 September 2010. ACCEA guidelines are expected to be made available on the ACCEA website shortly.

Free access to top articles in Immunology and CEI

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 13:50:48 GMT

We’ve launched a new feature for our journals Immunology and Clinical and Experimental Immunology. Each month we’re listing the top 20 downloaded articles for each journal, so you can find out what others are reading. All articles on the list are free to access for the following month. Visit the Top 20 list for Immunology and CEI now.

Don’t forget that reviews in Immunology and CEI are always available free to access.

Bacterial Charity

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 14:50:43 GMT

It appears even bacteria subscribe to the ‘big society’ idea. A new article published in Nature has found a new way by which bacteria spread antibiotic resistance; by taking one for the colony.

To read more click here.

September Issues of CEI and Immunology Out Now

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 09:53:00 GMT

The September issue of both CEI and Immunology are now available to view online. CEI features two reviews on TLRs, while in Immunology we have a review on imaging techniques and one on autophagy and the adaptive immune system. The review content of both journals is freely available to all.

We apologise to members for the continued disruption to your journal access, we hope to have the problem fixed soon.

Interferon@Nature.com

Wed, 25 Aug 2010 11:04:00 GMT

Interferon@nature.com hosts a collection of interferon-related articles published by the Nature Publishing Group with topics covered including biochemistry, signal transduction, diagnostic and therapeutic applications of interferon. The latest highlighted article to be featured comes from the group of BSI member Claudia Kemper. The aritcle links the complement regulator protein CD46 to IL-10 production by human T helper type 1 effector cells.

Web of Stories

Wed, 25 Aug 2010 10:51:00 GMT

Watching and listening to a story can be an interesting and pleasurable experience. The Great Lives chanel of this new story telling website features stories from some of the scientific greats of the last 50 years. Listen to them talk about the discoveries they made, the people they met and some of the unexpected aspects of being a scientisit. A great resource for teaching or for those wanting to know more about a career in science.

To find out more click here

Congress 2010 Registration Open

Wed, 18 Aug 2010 10:53:00 GMT

We are delighted to announce that registration and abstract submission for Congress 2010 is now live. Please visit the Congress 2010 website to submit your abstract and to register.

The full programme can be found on the Congress website and features an exciting line up of national and international speakers. This year’s keynote speaker is the newly knighted Professor Sir Marc Feldmann.

One of the new features of Congress 2010 is the BSI Young Scientist of the Year award – your opportunity to present in a plenary session. And in response to popular demand we also bring you the Congress party, visit the Congress website for more details.

We very much look forward to welcoming you to Liverpool in December!

A working life: Pathologist

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 10:55:00 GMT

Pathology and pathologists are part of the hidden health service. Public opinion of what pathologists do is most frequently shaped by TV programmes such as CSI and Silent Witness creating a huge gap between perception and reality. Last Saturday’s Guardian Money section contained an interesting career profile of a pathologist as part of it’s ‘A working life’ feature.

To read the article click here.

More information on careers in clinical sciences, can found at:
The Institute for Biomedical Science
The Royal College of Pathologists

National Pathology Week 1-7 November 2010