Lots in the papers this morning about the US company, Geron, halting its stem cell study on spinal cord injury. I thought I would share this coverage from the Washington Post. Geron's decision highlights a lot of interesting issues around science funding.. ..the long-term nature of science ...the difficulties for the private sector in keeping … Continue reading Washington Post coverage of Geron halting its stem cell trial on spinal cord injury
Author: simondenegri
You cluster if you want to…the single most important translational gap in UK clinical research today
A colleague of mine put up two slides at a meeting today which neatly encapsulated for me the key strategic - perhaps translational gap - in uk clinical research right now. On the demand side, the first showed the key results from the Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC) commissioned MORI poll of public attitudes … Continue reading You cluster if you want to…the single most important translational gap in UK clinical research today
It’s wishful thinking by Sir Paul Nurse – science has no right to be left alone by politicians or the public
Sir Paul Nurse, President of the Royal Society and head of he Sir Francis Crick Institute, is doing a round of media interviews at the moment. Last week he was in the Daily Telegraph and claimed that the 'Crick' institute was going to be the mothership of all inventions - in every sense of the … Continue reading It’s wishful thinking by Sir Paul Nurse – science has no right to be left alone by politicians or the public
Uncensoring science – Index on Censorship puts science in the spotlight
Just flagging up that Index on Censorship is devoting the next issue of its magazine to transparency and openness in science. They are also holding a debate on the evening of 6th December with, and at, Imperial College. Great line-up. You can also download their app and get a 30 day free trial.And, no, I … Continue reading Uncensoring science – Index on Censorship puts science in the spotlight
European patient group directory has some way to go before showing full story on pharma funding
My good colleagues at Cancer52 (the rare cancers coalition) sent me this, the third edition of the Burson-Marsteller directory of patient groups. On a purely practical level this tome is vital in helping to find your way round the various patient groups working on the European stage. Note the introduction by the EU Health Commissioner, … Continue reading European patient group directory has some way to go before showing full story on pharma funding
Life sciences leaders’ outlook is gloomy as the days shorten for the Government to act
So you have to remember that this is an industry/pharma view of life in the main. Nonetheless this second annual survey of 'Life Sciences Leaders' is notable for indicating a trend towards greater pessimism about the future of UK life sciences in the context of an economic downturn etc. The strong message about waning business … Continue reading Life sciences leaders’ outlook is gloomy as the days shorten for the Government to act
Here’s one pilgrimage to patient experience worth taking….plus some Aussie common sense on science communication
I went to the Bob Sang Memorial Lecture by Sir Ian Kennedy this evening. Reflections on this another day. But sitting with friends beforehand I learnt about this programme and website which creates evocative and telling videos of patient experiences. Entitled Pilgrim Projects, the videos focus on an incident or episode in a patient's or … Continue reading Here’s one pilgrimage to patient experience worth taking….plus some Aussie common sense on science communication
Who would come top in your league table of public engagement in science? And who would you relegate?
They say in football that the league table never lies. Fans and players may begrudge a decision or two, or feel that luck did not go their way in a match. But even the most ardent supporter will accept their team's league position after than final game as a true reflection of how good they … Continue reading Who would come top in your league table of public engagement in science? And who would you relegate?
NCRI in Liverpool
This week sees the annual National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) annual conference take place in Liverpool. Expect a regular flow of news stories highlighting recent cancer research findings - there's already been one rather interesting piece about the increased risk of bowel cancer for men on lower incomes . Here is the homepage for the … Continue reading NCRI in Liverpool
eLife looks to breathe new life into academic publishing and research communication
As you know, my weekends are often spent with my family replicating scientific experiments of the day. So just to reassure you that we all emerged safely this evening from the sealed environment of the kitchen, following our 18 hr simulation of an earth-bound journey in 2035. We estimate that we made the equivalent of … Continue reading eLife looks to breathe new life into academic publishing and research communication
Patients Participate Report
...remiss of me to not post the Patients Participate Report launched by AMRC, British Library and others a few weeks ago. Clicking on the cover below will take you to the AMRC web page where you can download the report.
Technology pulll-through in research and the role of the public
Next week I shall be taking part in my first meeting as a lay member of NIHR's 'Invention 4 Innovation' programme. I have had a number of conversations with people recently about how patients are and should be involved in the field of what is jargonistically called 'technology pull' - getting new technologies into health … Continue reading Technology pulll-through in research and the role of the public
November: year-zero or zero-sum game in the Government’s approach to growth in the life sciences sector?
On his deathbed in November 1986 Harold Macmillan remarked ruefully on the fact that unemployment was 28% in his old parliamentary seat of Stockton-on-Tees and 29% sixty-three years before, when he was its MP. 'It's a rather sad end to one's life,' he said. There seems to be a similar bleakness to the tone and … Continue reading November: year-zero or zero-sum game in the Government’s approach to growth in the life sciences sector?
Stem cell research – chapter and verse
Just thought this was an excellent piece by Nigel Hawkes in the Guardian online which takes stock of where we are with stem cell research. I like the fact that he interweaves the story of the science with that of the public debate that has accompanied it. Worth reading.
Willetts looks for the OMG factor in online science communication
The Science Minister, David Willetts, blogs in today's Guardian about the challenges for science writing in a world increasingly dominated by online media . He richly articulates the terms of an interesting debate and seems to convey genuine interest in the subject and a sincere wish to hear views. We must give the Online Media … Continue reading Willetts looks for the OMG factor in online science communication
Not a word on science and society from Willetts… rest my case
A major speech by Science Minister, David Willetts, about science and not a word about 'Science and Society' or the importance of the public. I am pleased that the Minister recognises the importance of ensuring science articles are in the public domain and not behind a pay wall but it's curious there seems no public … Continue reading Not a word on science and society from Willetts… rest my case
More on that Chief Listening Officer for UK Science idea…
I realised only now that the link in my blog last night proposing a Chief Listening Officer for UK Science had no link to a proper definition of what one is. Serves me right for trusting the WordPress auto-link function. Anyway, here is a rather good article about the role of a Chief Listening Officer … Continue reading More on that Chief Listening Officer for UK Science idea…
Whatever happened to Science and Society? Why UK science could do with a chief listening officer.
Just occasionally the Department for Business Innovation and Skills, Science and Society website pages show a flicker of light like a far-off dieing star. This evening I returned from the TalkScience event at the British Library and noticed that an update from the 'Science for All' advisory group set up many moons ago, had been … Continue reading Whatever happened to Science and Society? Why UK science could do with a chief listening officer.
TalkScience@BL is the hot event of the night – see you there.
Looking forward to the TalkScience@BL event at the British Library tonight even if I'll have to leave a little early. Tracey Brown from Sense about Science is a great speaker and it won't be long before ITV will be doing 'an audience with' as opposed to 'discussion with' her, plus the Patients Participate! project partners - … Continue reading TalkScience@BL is the hot event of the night – see you there.
Sainsbury takes helm at Cambridge research superstore…..and more on social media in science
It is a curious fact of UK science is it not that many of its leader have surnames either eponymous in the world of shopping or sounding as though they should be: Sainsbury, Willetts, Walport, Drayson all sound like signage I might find on a Saturday wander into Dulwich? Lord Sainsbury - whowas arguably the … Continue reading Sainsbury takes helm at Cambridge research superstore…..and more on social media in science
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