ISSN 1465-1483

Ae \e 'OThe Physiological Society Magazine

Oxford Meeting

Features on: Science Week Sodium channels in nociceptiveneurones Musicians &physiologists The Marae of New Zealand The Institute for Learning and Teaching

Spring 2001 No 42 Students working in a FirstYear Physiologists Professor Clive Ellory,Head of Department PracticalClass

The new NMR facility

Artist's impressionof the new building extension for ProfessorFrancesAshcrofi and ProfessorKay Davies

Frontcover: FranAshcroft's collaboratiomwith artistBenedict Rubbra depictingInsulin-Secretion Oxford Meeting Welcome to Oxford Clive Ellory ...... 1

Na tio na l Sc ie n c e We e k ...... 4

Features

The Politics of Animal Experimentation - The RDS Annual General Meeting Maggie Leggett ...... 5

Sodium Channels in Nociceptive Neurones Jim Elliott ...... 6

Musicians & Physiologists E. Geoffrey Walsh ...... 8

IUPS: Welcome (te powhiri). The Maraeof New Zealand Den is N oble ...... 10

Education The Institute for Learning and Teaching Sally B rown and Dr Chris Prior ...... 13

Young Physiologists Young Physiologists descend on Reading Dr Peter Wein berg ...... 17

Sixth Form Physiology Workshop, University of Newcastle A lex McDougall ...... 18

UKLSC Careers Conferences 2000 Maggie Leggett ...... 19

Noticeboa rd ...... 20

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tg . i E o WELCOME TO THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD

It is nearly six years - 7 Centre which is since The Society met presently at the in Oxford, and we . detailed planning are having to learn l?. stage. The strong again many of the 9commitment to details associated with computing is reflected running this major . by new parallel and meeting, although very T supercomputing welcome expert help is Department of Physiology facilities for modelling now forthcoming from University of Oxford studies being carried London and Sheffield. out by Denis Noble There have been several changes in and David Paterson's groups. The Faculty and premises since 1995, but Vaughan Jones lab continues to use much will remain familiar. Faculty who confocal and fluorescence imaging to have retired include Ann Taylor, Peter study pH and calcium transients and Matthews, Marianne Fillenz, and regulation in cardiac myocytes. Chris Michael and Hilary Brown. Long term Ashley continues to investigate the research fellows leaving include Alan details of contractile machinery in Larkman, Bruce muscle and has a fruitful collaboration Cumming, Peter on troponin in cardiac muscle with the Kind, Philip Benson new Professor of Cardiology, Hugh 30 and Kieran Kirk. Ann, Watkins. David Paterson has recently Peter and Marianne, informed the Society of his work on and Abe Guz continue nitric oxide and the autonomic control in to be active in the the cardiovascular system via the G.L. Department, writing Brown Lecture. and experimenting. Dr.Ole Paulsen New appointments as The traditional research strength in lecturers include Christoph Korbmacher neuroscience continues with exciting who carries on the tradition of epithelial new initiatives in several directions. physiology, Ole Paulsen who joined us The Wellcome Trust from Pharmacology and is working on provided major cellular neuroscience, and most recently refurbishment costs Keith Buckler working on oxygen for the conversion of sensing and the carotid body. teaching space into new laboratories for The cardiac scientists in the Department cellular neuroscience (Denis Noble, Trevor Powell, Richard including work on Vaughan-Jones, David Paterson, Chris synaptic connections Ashley and Peter Kohl) have combined by Julian Jack, and ProfessorJulianJack with other cardiac groups university- for Andrew Parker's group to develop wide to form the Oxford Cardiac their cognitive neuroscience programme. Research Group (OCRG). The Colin Blakemore's group continues to consortium has been successful in work in many areas of cellular and acquiring a 500MHz wide bore NMR sensory neuroscience, using new methods spectrometer, a BHF-funded molecular including neuronal coculture, slice and physiology laboratory, and HEFCE transgenic mouse techniques. Their funding for a new Cardiac Science recent work on a Huntington's transgenic mouse model, the timing of whose and Peter Robbins. Peter Robbins in disease onset depended on the animals' particular is continuing the Departmental environment has attracted a lot of tradition of human respiratory studies interest. Colin has also been very active using hypobaric chambers to study short promoting and popularising science via and long term effects of alterations in the British Association, the Royal oxygen and carbon dioxide levels on the Society and the media. Ian Thompson control of respiration. Their findings are has continued his work in neuronal development and connectivity. Stuart Judge is studying eye movements and their control, which leads on to work with dyslexic children and children with hearing defects a major interest of the laboratories of John Stein and David Moore. Their human work has been facilitated by the addition of a new laboratory facility in the west end building extension funded by Catherine Cookson and the Barclay Trust to allow testing of visual and auditory testing of human subjects under ideal conditions. Dr.Simon Golding in the new British Further human work in progress includes HeartFoundationMolecularBiology Laboratory collaborative MRI projects with the of direct importance to anyone flying the clinicians, and joint programmes in Atlantic, since they have shown adaptive psychophysics and cognition with changes in respiration over a six hour Psychology and the clinical departments. time period of exposure to differences in More basic experimental work on gas composition. Piers has made a sensory and motor cortex continues with significant contribution to our knowledge the groups of Chris Miall and Andy King of the history of respiratory research in who are Wellcome Senior Fellows. the department, where the work of Haldane, Barcroft and Douglas Human systems physiology continues to established Oxford as a centre for be represented by the work of David respiratory science equivalent to the role Paterson (mentioned above) on the of Sherrington for the nervous system. cardiovascular system, and respiratory studies by Keith Dorrington, Piers Nye Cellular physiology is represented by the work of Fran Ashcroft's group on ion channels, concentrating on KATP channels, and looking at structure, function and control, particularly in the pancreas. Fran has also found the time to write two physiology books recently, a major monograph on channelopathies, and a more populist book on physiological adaptation. She has also collaborated with an artist, Benedict Rubbra on representation of science in art, resulting in a recent exhibition of paintings in the University Natural History Museum. Together with Kay Dr.David Paterson and his Research Group Davies, Fran made a successful JIF bid for £l0m towards a £14m building the Oxford Centre for Gene Function. This will be an extension of 2000m2 to the east of our present building, for post genomic research on physiological function. In fact this represents one of four building projects to which we are currently committed, meaning that the department will continue to grow and change over the next three years.

Further cellular physiology includes the work of Jill Urban, and Robert Wilkins in the area of chondrocyte and connective A First Year Medics PracticalClass tissue biology. The chondrocyte is a cell whose physiology is neglected, but the 1950s. We have put considerable which is responsible for synthesis of effort into our major teaching classroom, cartilage and matrix, and which exists in becoming computerised later than most one of the most extreme environments of other physiology departments, and not hypoxia and hypertonicity in the body. without some effort by Tim Pragnell, our Christoph Korbmacher is studying responsible computing scientist. This epithelial salt transport in a model tight year we will increase our intake to 150 epithelium, and collaborating with medical students, and soon we are to several groups on ENAC and CFTR. Our have a major new centralised preclinical work on sickle red cells in collaboration teaching block, which will free up more space, and allow us to increase our research effort. The QAA and RAE have preoccupied us for a lot of this year, and there seems to be continuous building work going on, but I am confident we will give you a warm welcome, and we look forward to a successful and productive meeting.

ProfessorClive Ellory Head ofDepartmentof Physiology University of Oxford

ProfessorDenis Noble (Burdon Sanderson Professorof CardiovascularPhysiology) and his ResearchGroup

with John Gibson is also proving exciting and productive, and the regulatory role of oxygen is turning out to be pivotal in understanding the role of Band3 and membrane bound haemoglobin in controlling KC1 cotransport.

The department has been extended and refurbished extensively in the last five years, but still retains the design aura of NATIONAL SCIENCE WEEK, 16 - 25 March 2001

From 16 - 25 March 2001, research. For art lovers, Joan National Science Week will Miro's 'Constellations', with its involve over a million people in all links to astrology and physics, will manner of science events be exhibited. In Southampton the throughout the UK. Shopping City Art Gallery's workshops will centres, disused railway stations, allow the public to examine the art galleries, pubs and bars will science behind 14th century host hands on activities, debates, paintings. Chicken Run characters drama, films, competitions and will be built weatherproof and demonstrations. The week, co- predator proof homes in Lincoln, ordinated by the BA, aims to whilst children in Halifax can stay provide the best in science out all night at the Eureka Science activities and events for all Centre Sleep over. Richard members of the population. Dawkins, Susan Greenfield, Frank Close, Simon Singh and Peter Exploding Custard and Jurassic Snow are amongst the stars of the Jellies will entertain and inspire world of science taking part this young people in London at the year. BA's annual BAYSday. In Doncaster, at an 'alternative' This is the 8th National Science archaeological dig, school children Week and it is expected to see a will retrieve what remains of their further increase in the 6,600 lunches buried 6 months earlier. opportunities for involvement Jobseekers in Rochdale will build achieved in 2000. The week is radio controlled Mad Max cars for endorsed and supported by the a 'Robot Wars' inspired demolition Government through the derby. Members of Parliament can Department of Trade and Industry. discover the hottest young researchers in the UK at a The full programme of events will showcase of up and coming be available in February 2001 in scientists. Sixth Formers will printed form and on the web at gather in Canterbury to compete www.britassoc.org.uk. for prizes related to their scientific THE POLITICS OF ANIMAL EXPERIMENTATION Report on the RDS Annual GeneralMeeting

As usual this was an excellent half-day, support, just acceptance, whilst the the business being concluded in an opposing side is as passionate as ever. In enviable 15 minutes and the rest of the addition, there are currently 3 postcard time devoted to some excellent campaigns conducted by different anti­ presentations. Professor Susan vivisection organisations. These Greenfield was as entertaining and organisations mail out postcards, pre­ informative as ever on the science of addressed to MPs, to individuals so that pleasure and pain, and there was an all the recipient has to do is tick a box, interesting discourse from Dr James sign it and put it in the post box. The Fawcett on repairing spinal cord injuries, wording is such that naturally impossible Hearing first hand from their Managing cruelty to animals and medical research Director, Brian Cass, what life has been using animals are one and the same. The like at Huntingdon Life Sciences over the result of these campaigns is that MPs last two years was an incredible tale of receive at least one anti-vivisection determination in the face of shockingly postcard or letter a day, and are thus devious and frankly criminal activities on likely to conclude that the majority of the part of the anti-vivisection their constituents are in favour of community. This tale was preceded by a increased regulation and decreased use talk from Dr Stephen Ladyman, MP, on of animals. Added to this is of course that the topic of the politics of using animals any MP, similar to any scientist, who is in research, which deserves special prepared to speak out for animal mention. experimentation then becomes a target for the more extreme end of the anti­ Dr Ladyman started by pointing out the vivisectionists. And although Tony Blair paradox that although in the future the has publicly stated his support of science country will need to make more and he has thus far been quiet on the more more of its money from the knowledge difficult issue of animal experimentation. based industries, of the 650 MPs, probably only 20 would openly say they So, what can be done to alter this supported research on animals ­ alarming trend? Any large scale experiments which are of course at the campaigning needs funding such that heart of such work. Why? Because this only the pharmaceutical companies are does not win votes. Polls show that probably in a position to provide, but as whereas several hundred people in each an academic, even if you are not directly constituency make their voting decision involved with animal experimentation, based positively on MP's anti-vivisection you should be engaging your MP in tendencies, those constituents choosing communication about this issue. The on the basis of MPs supporting possible ramifications of the anti­ vivisection are too few to register. So vivisectionists activities could affect us although market research shows that all and so the time to act is now. most people do find medical research on animals acceptable, this is not translating Maggie Leggett to an observable number showing active SODIUM CHANNELS IN NOCICEPTIVE NEURONES Here Jim Elliott describestetrodotoxin resistantsodium currents and suggests that knowledge of them is a potentialroute to the development of more specific analgesics

History channel at-subunit, now called either SNS or Kostyuk and co-workers proposed nearly PN3, gave a molecular identity to the main twenty years ago that rat sensory neurones TTX-R current and reinforced its association express two different sodium currents (INa)- with small diameter, potentially nociceptive, One was a "classical" current readily neurones in sensory ganglia (Akopian, blocked by tetrodotoxin (TTX). The other Sivilotti & Wood, 1996). However, SNS/PN3 had different electrophysiological properties appears to have a TTX-R partner, also with and was also resistant to TTX block a double-barrelled name, SNS2/ NaN (Tate (Kostyuk et al, 1981). When we presented et al, 1998). A number of Na channel at­ data on this TTX-R INa to the Society in the subunits probably contribute to the recorded early 1990s, there was still a tendency to TTX-S Na current. Expression of SNS/PN3 believe that the TTX-R current was either an and the occurrence of a recordable TTX-R artefact (induced by culture conditions or current are not absolutely restricted to small enzyme treatment) or a primitive form cell diameter (ca. 20Pm) sensory neurones. expressed in neonates but with no role in the The Waxman group (Renganathan et al, adult animal (Elliott & Elliott, 1993). 2000) suggest that some large (>40pm However, this sceptical view has been diameter) cutaneous afferent neurones also replaced over time and the modality- express SNS/PN3. dependent expression of various Na channel isoforms by sensory neurones is now seen as Electrophysiology Figure 1shows current families recorded from A control 03M TTX small rat dorsal root ganglion cell bodies (adapted from Rush et al, 1998). The cell in figure IA expressed an apparently pure, kinetically fast, TTX-S current. The much slower current shown in figure lB was B pre-TTX control (0.34M 1TX) unaffected by 0.3pM TTX and is probably due to SNS/PN3. The smaller TTX-R current shown in figure IC, visible only with a more negative holding potential than our usual !1 -67mV, may be caused by SNS2/NaN. We referred to the resistant currents as TTX-R1 and TTX-R3 respectively (the existence of

C TTX &-6 olding potalX & 7V holding pr, TTX-R2 as a truly separate species is more debatable and will not be considered here). As shown by the availability and current-voltage 1-0 curves presented in figure 2, TTX-R1 has a higher threshold for both inactivation Figure 1. Voltage-gatedNa currentfamilies recorded (availability) and activation (I-V) than TTX-S. from three different adultratdorsalrootganglioncells. TTX-R3 is more readily activated than TTX- These were selected to show: (A) 7TX-S currents, (B) the main (7TX-R1, SNS/PN3) TTX-R currentand (C) a RI but is also easily inactivated. We have further TIX-R current (TTX-R3, SNS2/NaN). Full suggested that the resistance of TTX-R1 experimental detailsare given in Rush et al (1998). currents to fast inactivation may allow them to continue to function in a relatively high a potential route to the development of more external potassium environment such as that specific analgesics (e.g. Porreca et al, 1999). of physically damaged tissue. TTX-R1 and TTX-S currents have complex inactivation Clones kinetics, with time constants ranging from The cloning and expression of a TTX-R Na milliseconds to hundreds of seconds. The A exact contribution of related models and syndromes (e.g. Porreca that kinetic richness to et al, 1999; Coward et al, 2000). One the control of firing popular hypothesis is that the reduction in

3 p- V behaviour, both in expression of SNS/PN3 channels in cell ...... 1' .... normal and abnormal bodies following nerve damage is due to the B states, is an interesting translocation of channels from the soma to but so far open question. the actual sites of damage, where channel O Waxman and co- accumulation is postulated to result in

.. . workers have suggested hyperexcitability. This would account for the of TTX-R ...... that because SNS2/NaN observed increase in expression 1 . activates at relatively channels in neuromas. However, expression

MT-R3/NS2 hyperpolarized voltages, of TTX-S isoforms in the cell body may and generates relatively actually increase in response to nerve

. -,so -o . s persistent currents at damage so TTX-R channels should not very negative potentials, receive exclusive attention. D it could play a role in

0 determining action Interest in and publications related to the

T..S .. -~67. potential threshold. different types of Na channel expressed by ,0 _Electrophysiological sensory neurones have grown enormously in 10 0 studies of SNS2/NaN the last five years and unfortunately I have E have been greatly only been able to mention a fraction of the assisted by the devel- relevant literature here. Part of that growth opment of an SNS/PN3 has resulted from drug-discovery ,0 null-mutant mouse by programmes instituted by a number of major F 0 50 Wood and co-workers. pharmaceutical companies. If TTX-R Na 00 channels in particular live up to their Modulation of promise, perhaps the next five years will see

os.....s.. channel properties the introduction of greatly improved

-. . .and of channel analgesics along with even more expression academically interesting papers. Figure 2. The voltage dependence of England et al (1996) Jim Elliott,

currentinactivationand activation. A- showed that prostaglandin C show Is prepulse availability curves E2, a hyperalgesic agent So f ee, uneri of while D-E show single pulse I-V curves released during the Dundee, Dundee DDJ 4HN for each of the current subtypes inflammatory response illustratedin figure 1. TTX-RI currents have the highest threshold for both inactivationand activation, the activation threshold of the TTX-R1 current References subtype. This effect could, at least in part, Akopian AA et al (1996) Nature 379:257-262. explain the increased excitability of Coward K et al (2000) Pain 85:41-50. nociceptive neurones in inflamed tissue. The moduatioofTTX- chnnel atm Elliott AA & Elliott JR (1993) J Physiol modulation of TTX-R channel gating 463:39-56. parameters by a variety of algogenic substances has been the subject of England Set al (1996) JPhysiol495:429-440. considerable research (see e.g. Gold, 1999). Gold MS (1999) ProcNatlAcad Sci USA 96:7645-7649. The cloning of sensory neurone Na channel Kostyuk PG et al (1981) Neuroscience 6:2423­ ot-subunits led to the development of 2430. subtype-specific channel markers and the Porreca F et al (1999) ProcNatl Acad Sci USA ability to knock out particular channels 96:7640-7644. through antisense oligonucleotides or the Renganathan M et al (2000) J Neurophysiol production of transgenic animals. These 84:710-718. techniques have in turn increased our Rush AM et al (1998) J Physiol 511:771-789. understanding of changes in channel Tate S et al (1998) Nature Neuroscience expression and distribution in various pain- 1:653-655. MUSICIANS & PHYSIOLOGISTS In this article Geoffrey Walsh discusses the complex motor acts involved in musical peformance

Professional musicians train intensively and passages, the problem is to keep a steady their skills reach levels of sensori-motor pressure of 0.5cm of water - much lower control far beyond those of many others. than in speech. If a deep breath has been Early scientific thoughts about musical taken the recoil of the chest must be resisted, scales were formed by observations of the the inspiratory muscles must gently and behaviour of a monochord, a single string controlledly allow their lengths to increase stretched between supports mounted on a (Draper et al, 1960). Singers have to regulate box. Studies of the Greeks at the time of the air pressure in the trachea and complexly Pythagoras in the sixth century BC led to an control the vibrations of the vocal cords, appreciation of the relationship between the making at the same time adjustments to the length of the vibrating string and the pitch of resonances of the throat and mouth. Rapid the note; if the length was halved the note movements are often called for as, for shot up an octave and so on. There have been instance, in violinists' vibrato and drum many recent studies of the acoustics of beats; these cannot usually exceed about musical instruments; fine articles may often seven per second because of the limitations be found in the Journal of the American of muscle properties (Schlapp 1973, Shivas Acoustical Society. A distinguished member 1988). of the Physiological Society, Giles Brindley, made a bassoon where the valves were When playing from a score the movements operated electrically, it was once of the eyes are rather similar to those during demonstrated to the Society. It eased reading; the eyes move in jerks, resting problems of fingering and improved inferior momentarily in an apparently almost random notes. The 'holing', the pattern of open and way but there is a tendency to fixate notes closed holes, could be separated from the and bar lines rather than spaces (Kinsler & 'fingering', the patterning of finger Carpenter 1995). The musician will not be movements (Brindley 1968). The great playing the notes at which he is looking, but nineteenth century scientist, Hermann von those that have been detected a little earlier. Helmholtz, wrote a famous book, 'On Sensations of Tone' in which for the first I was fascinated to learn last summer that time the physical basis of harmony was there is a special institute associated with the successfully explored. Hanover University of Music and Dance. It is the: Musical performance involves motor acts and, with woodwind and brass instruments, Institut ffir Musikphysiologie und careful breath control. No doubt in all, Musiker-Medizin Hannover especially during training, auditory and other forms of fine sensory feedback are needed. The university, 'Hochschule', has an Clearly there are rich and much under- interestingly designed modem building in explored scientific areas for possible the shape of an ear; it is in a pleasant wooded research. For the most part there have been setting about 2 miles from the centre of the just scattered studies by persons with some city; the institute is about half a mile away. interest in music and access to appropriate The director of the institute, Professor E. scientific techniques. In a short and notable Altenmiiller, a member of the German report Faulkner & Sharpey-Schafer (1959) Physiological Society, has had both medical noted the very high air pressures sometimes and musical training and has published needed when playing the trumpet; the extensively on a variety of aspects of the circulatory effects were those of a physiology of music. There is a Web page formidable Valsalva manoeuvre, whilst bag- about the institute at: pipers and recorder players may hyperventilate. For flute players, in soft http://plathnerl.hmt-hannover.de/ Advice, and if necessary treatment, is given people with similar views. For more to musicians associated with the university if information see: they develop neuromuscular or other htt://www.btintemet.com/-pipedown/ problems which may impair their performances.

Walsh For many years I have been interested in the E. Geoffrey control of finger movements and particularly 64 LibertonDrive,EdinburghEH166NW in the errors which are sometimes quite large Email: geoffrey.walsh @ ed.ac.uk when people try to move two fingers in opposite directions at the same time (Walsh References 1997a). Such manoeuvres are frequently Brindley G (1968) The Logical Bassoon. needed when playing most instruments Journalofthe Galpin Society, 21, 152-161. (Walsh 1997b). On being invited I jumped at Draper MH et al (1960) Expiratory pressures the opportunity to carry out some and air flow during speech. BMJ 1. 1837-1843. investigations of the young and talented Faulkner M & Sharpey-Schafer EP (1959) people in the university. I packed my lap top, Circulatory effects of trumpet playing. BMJ an interface the size of a match box, and 1.685-686. associated apparatus, and took a flight to KinslerV & Carpenter RHS (1995) 'Saccadic Hanover in October. In a stay of 2 weeks I Eye Movements while Reading Music.' Vision was able successfully to make computer Research,35, 1447-1458. based analyses of the finger skills of some 65 Naumann E (1886) The history ofmusic. advanced musicians. This was a wonderful Vol.l.p 139. opportunity, an experience not to be missed. Pickles V (2000) Ageing and music. PhysiologicalSociety Magazine 4 1.p 11. I have not in any way answered the inquiry Schlapp M (1973). 'Observations on a voluntary of Pickles (2000) about ageing and music, tremor - violinists vibrato.' QuarterlyJournalof and music may still be appreciated by people ExperimentalPhysiology, 58, 357-368. suffering seriously from Alzheimer's diease. Shivas AA (1988) The Art of Tympanist and But it is not only the old who need Drummer.Edinburgh University Press. consideration; Pythagoras commended the Walsh EG (1997a) Synchronization of human use of special melodies as antidotal to finger movements: delays and sex differences special passions and, 'by a solemn air with isotonic 'antiphase' motion. Experimental brought back to reason a youth who, Physiology, 82, 559-565. maddened by love and jealousy' was about to Walsh EG (1997b) Cross-finger timings in burn down his mistress's house (Naumann sixteen naive recorder players. Journalof 1886). A cure for pyromania? Physiology, 501P, 45P.

There is probably nothing which has sometimes therapeutic merit which does not at others cause distress or injury. Enforced listening to piped music in public places, such as swimming pools super-markets and banks can be upsetting. Conversation during dining at a restaurant can be marred by incessant, unwanted and ill-selected jangles. Shop assistants may dread the coming of Christmas when they may be subjected, during their whole working hours, to endless repetion of canned carols. I have often protested about 'wall-paper music', sometimes achieving my goal of having it turned off. There is an organisation, 'Pipedown', which seeks to bring together IUPS August 2001 WELCOME (te pJwhiri), The Marae of New Zealand Denis Noble, Secretary-General,IUPS

Introduction cultural treasure of all: the Mdori. Physiologists worldwide will soon be turning their attention to Christchurch, These Polynesian travellers arrived by New Zealand and the 2001 Congress. To boat around 1000 years ago, so for go or not to go? For some, I suspect around 8 centuries they had New Zealand many, the decision will turn not only on all to themselves. It is haunting to go to the science and the Congress itself, but the rugged north eastern coasts where also on the excitement of visiting New they must first have arrived. I once tried Zealand. Doubtless, many will also make it a family holiday.

I first travelled to New Zealand as a Visiting Professor at Auckland 10 years ago, so I can't yet be regarded as a cultural expert. But I did immediately become an enthusiast for this extraordinary and beautiful country. If . you have never been, you will find many things to surprise and intrigue you. to follow a New Zealand colleague around one of the rocky outcrops as the First, the wildlife is an island biological waves lashed into us. I finally arrived the beach a literally treasure. There are many unusual species safely back on he e r e withoutla of animals (some sadly now lost) and blooy mess trees plant life, including magnificent single scratch! unique to New Zealand. You will notice the sniffer dogs at the airport trained to After the tiny Pacific Islands of detect any vegetation being brought in. I Polynesia, the Mdori must have regarded once came with a magnificent bunch of New Zealand as a fabulous, apparently roses for a friend, only to see the whole boundless paradise, with food in lot taken to be destroyed! I couldn't even abundance. Most probably, there were keep a single red rose petal for my friend. several waves of arrivals. Although a Preserving what is unique about New millennium has passed, much of this Zealand wildlife is now a priority, historical event survives in the stories and oral tradition of the Medori. Until the Second, the countryside is spectacular- language adopted roman script, it was You will be bombarded with tourist not written down, so the oral tradition of information on this, so I will let it pass ­ recording history was very strong. only to say that even what would appear to be the wildest exaggerations of the The language tourist agencies are actually true. The language itself is a major cultural treasure. Polynesian languages in fact The Maori provide one of the best natural No, my real reason for devoting this experiments in language development for article to New Zealand is to highlight we can trace the changes as people what for me is the most intriguing progressively spread from the East Asian mainland through the chains of islands, where the Congress will be held, is then across the far-flung Pacific sea gaps, Otautahi,while Auckland is Timaki makau until finally reaching at one extreme rau - yes, also like Japanese, Maori has Easter Island and at the other extreme double-length vowels so this is strictly 9 New Zealand. By correlating the syllables long! (Ta-a-ma-ki ma-ka-ura-u). vocabulary with the times of arrival we can estimate how long it takes for Moreover, unlike the relationship vocabulary to diverge. It takes around between many indigenous peoples and 2000 years for over 90% of the their recent invaders, there is a formal vocabulary to change, by which time, legal basis to the relationship between following all the usual criteria, a new the Mdori and the Pdkeha. This is the language has emerged. Treaty of Waitangi, entered into on behalf of Queen Victoria (and a reason Yet, some features clearly did not change. why many Mdori will probably resist To anyone familiar with Japanese or New Zealand becoming a republic: the Korean, there are extraordinary parallels. Queen can be viewed as the legal All vowels are voiced separately, with a guardian of their rights in this treaty). characteristic rhythm. Grammar is located in special particles. Nouns are The Marae simultaneously singular and plural. And this treaty takes me to the central Strictly, one should not say the Mdoris. point of this article. Different cultures They are the Mdori. Incidentally, we are have different concepts of land and the Pdkeha. So are all New Zealanders of society, which can be a deep problem Western origin. Pdkeha, not Pdkehas. when it comes to interpreting legal documents. Land belongs to a tribe not to New Zealand is of course the Pdkeha individuals. It is often said too that Mdori word for the country. The Mdori call it face the future walking backwards with Aotearoa. Its meaning is long white cloud and from what I have said about vowels you will already have a fair idea how to pronounce it: there are six syllables here, A-o-te-a-ro-a,just as there would be if this was a Japanese or Korean word. Strictly speaking this is the Mdori name for the North Island. Not surprisingly for people of Polynesian descent, a separate island requires a different name. The South Island (which is where the Congress will be held) is Te eyes on the past and their ancestors. The Wai Pounamu which means the 'the Mdori concepts of land, ownership and greenstone water (island)'. the roles of society, the tribe, are therefore very different from Pikeha The culture and the Treaty concepts.This is best explained by saying Mdori culture has immense and obvious something about the title of this article: impact on the New Zealand of today. the Marae. Outside towns with obvious Western names like Auckland, Wellington and Many will already know the Marae as Christchurch virtually all the place the beautiful Mdori meeting places. names are Mdori.And even the big towns Constructed in wood, with colourful also have Mdori names. Christchurch, decoration, they are renowned worldwide as the symbol of Mdori culture. But the When we are welcomed in Otautahiwe concept of Marae does not have to have will be facing people for whom the a physical existence in this form. Its respect for ancestors (including those cultural significance can be viewed as heroic canoeists of 1000 years ago), and being the location of the rituals that must the expression of this respect in the be followed when the members of one rituals of the Marae are very deep. They tribe meet with another. There are about will almost certainly use certain Mdori 35 North island tribes and 5 South Island words to welcome us, including tribes, each with their own rituals. But haeremai(welcome), manuhiri (visitors) they all have in common this concept that and tfidrangi(from afar) certain rituals must be observed when one visits theterritory of anothertribe. AMarae Haeremaie te manuhiri tfidrangi is wherever these rituals are observed. Welcome visitors from afar

In this sense, all of New Zealand is a We have yet to compose our reply, but its Marae.It is the earth-mother, the basis of spirit will be a mihi (greeting) to the all Marae, for they are also the home of Marae and those present to welcome us: the ancestors. We will be the guests, or manuhiri.Strictly speaking, we cannot set Te whare e tu nei foot in New Zealand without following the The house standing here courtesies of arriving at a Mjori Marae. Te marae e takoto nei The marae lying here The Maori Powhiri Tind korua Greetings to you both There will therefore be a Mdori puwhiri Nga hau e whd (welcome) at the opening of the People of the four winds Congress, and we intend to do the best Nga iwi e tau nei we can to follow the traditions and reply People gathered here to this welcome in a way that respects Tind koutou katoa Mdori culture. Greetings to you all.

I finish with a lovely speech addressed by Hiwi Tauroa (see reference) to his home Marae Te marae e takoto nei The marae lying here Tind koe I greet you Papatuanukute whdea Papatuanukuthe Earth Mother Tind koe D Noble I greet you University Laboratoryof Physiology I ahau e tu ake nei ParksRoad While I stand here Oxford OX] 3PT Ka huri oku whakaaro My thoughts turn Ki a rdtou,5ku tipuna To them, my ancestors Reference: I tu ake hoki i nga wa o mua Hiwi & Pat Tauroa (1986) Te Marae:A guide to Those who also stood in years gone by. customs andprotocol. Auckland: Reed books. THE INSTITUTE FOR LEARNING & TEACHING In the two articlesbelow Sally Brown explores the value of the ILT to the academiccommunity whilst Chris Priorreflects on signing up for the "experienced staff" entry scheme

What's in it for the academic and giving, developing effective learning community? environments/ student support systems, Launched in June 1999, the Institute for and best practice through personal Learning and Teaching is a fast growing development. membership body for all who teach and support learning in higher education in Until September 2001, academics with the UK. It aims to enhance the status of three or more years experience (pro rata teaching, improve the experience of for part-timers) can apply directly to the learning, and to support innovation in ILT for initial membership by providing higher education. This paper aims to a summary of professional experience inform colleagues about the ILT and its under these headings, accompanied by activities, together with the principal two appropriate references. There is a benefits of joining, processing fee of £25 for this route.

The ILT was established as a result of Those who have completed one of the recommendations in the Dearing increasing number of programmes of report] to: learning and teaching in higher education (which have been accredited by the ILT) " accredit programmes of training in need to complete a simple application, higher education and provide evidence of their award once * commission research and development their institution has registered with the in learning and teaching practices ILT. A list of programmes that have * stimulate innovation (Dearing report achieved this status is available from 1998 Recommendation 14) [email protected] Once you have successfully been admitted to The ILT aims to work closely with membership, there is an annual fee of colleagues active in networks committed £75, which can be set against personal to fostering learning and teaching in income tax. higher education. On behalf of the UK funding councils, the ILT has been Membership applications are currently charged with the task of managing the being received from a variety of Learning and Teaching Support constituencies in widely differing Network, including the Generic Learning contexts. Both long-serving academic and Teaching Centre and the JISC funded staff with considerable experience of Technology Integration Centre. teaching and new lecturers at the beginning of their careers are joining. How to join We also have a number of senior The ILT is currently both accrediting academics, including Deans, Pro Vice programmes on learning and teaching for Chancellors and two Vice Chancellors academics, and admitting individual among our members, as well as members who can demonstrate their academics and learning support staff expertise in five broad areas of relevant across the subject range in all kinds of experience. These are: teaching and/or higher education institutions. support learning, designing and planning learning activities, assessing Support from institutions well as focussed digests of current Many institutions across the UK are research on learning and teaching demonstrating the value they place on the * two issues per year of the ILT ILT by including references to ILT international journal, Active Learning membership in their Learning and in Higher Education. The journal has Teaching Strategies, with many of them the explicit aim of improving practice including targets or goals for the number in higher education learning and or proportion of members of their staff teaching, and contains articles, case they intend to encourage to join. Many studies, accounts of innovations and institutions are also offering their staff work in progress and reviews, both additional support in the form of topical and scholarly payment of processing fees, annual * three issues per year of the members' membership or both, and by providing newsletter containing members' internal workshops for staff on putting information and updates together a successful application. In a * discounts and priority booking at ILT number of institutions, senior staff are events, including our regionally demonstrating their commitment by distributed seminars and our annual completing their applications conference in York in June. This year it themselves, to encourage other staff to will be held 27th-29th June join. Some institutions are going further, * members' discounts on a growing by providing financial incentives for range of goods and services, including successful applicants, or by linking books in the ILT series membership to appointment or promotion, and many are encouraging Universities and colleges of higher those new to teaching in higher education education have the dual functions of both to undertake an accredited programme creating and disseminating knowledge. leading to membership eligibility. Academics who take learning and teaching seriously should consider What's in it for individuals? joining the ILT and to encourage their By joining the ILT individuals will: colleagues to do likewise, as part of their professional commitment to foster and * gain recognition for experience and encourage student learning. expertise in supporting student learning If you want to find out more about the * become a member of a professional ILT, please contact us by e-mailing membership body, with the kudos of [email protected] or visiting the accredited status website at http://www.ilt.ac.uk * be recognised by students, institutions, peers and external scrutinisers as Sally Brown having a strong commitment to student Institutefor Learningand Teaching learning Genesis 3 * have the opportunity to shape the Innovation Way Science Park direction of this developing York YOJO 5DQ organisation

Members' benefits include: Reference • access to the ILT Website, including, 1. DfEE (1998) The Learning Age: a 2000, areas restricted to RnisnefranwBian(hRenaissance for a new Britain (The from Summer Dearing/Garrick report) National Committee for members, with networking Enquiry into Higher Education, Department for opportunities and members' forums, as Employment and Education ON JOINING THE ILT The "experienced staff" entry scheme for in a number of areas relating to learning the ILT is available until September and teaching. At the time of my 2001. However, I took the decision to application, the web-based application apply soon after the opening date for a form was cumbersome and required that number of reasons. The establishment of the whole application was prepared and the ILT is timely development in higher submitted in a single web-sitting (clearly education. My school teacher friends inappropriate for most individuals). have always been astounded that I call Therefore, I downloaded the application myself a lecturer on the basis of 2 days pack PDF and worked from that. formal instruction and 15 years on-the­ job development of my learning and The main sections on the second part of teaching skills. Clearly, with the the form are headed: continually broadening base of higher education there is a greater need now, * Teaching and the support of learning than ever before, for a professional body * Contribution to the design and overseeing standards. However, I have no planning of learning activities desire to return to the classroom myself, * Assessment and giving feedback to believing that, for all its rights or wrongs, students my fifteen years have seen me through to * Developing effective learning a competent standard. environments and student learning support systems As a membership led organisation, the * Reflective practice and personal ILT should develop along the lines that development its members feel most appropriate. Therefore, only by becoming actively Completing this part of the application involved right from the start will one be was made very much easier for me by the able to ensure that one's own views are recognition that many of the topics reflected and personal interests are closely match those present on my protected. What will be important in the biennial staff review. Filling out the ILT future is how the ILT develops entry form consisted mostly of re-working schemes for newly appointed members material with which I was already of academic staff. Any scheme for these familiar. Some sections were quite easy. I staff must not compromise their ability to doubt whether there are many individuals pursue the equally important involved in learning and teaching in development of their independent higher education uncertain of the research career, possession of which is of teaching methods they employ! That great benefit for effective teaching in the said, I felt it important to place these higher education sector. methods in the context of their desired outcome. It is difficult to see how one Application for membership of the ILT can claim to be teaching physiology or by experienced staff involves the pharmacology at the highest level completion of a two-part form and the without recognising the importance of submission of two references. The first laboratory based investigative learning or part of the form is a simple summary of how the scientific mind of a student can personal and professional details taking be developed without appropriate no more than a few minutes to complete. interpretative study. Similarly, the ways The second consists of a set of six "mini- in which students are assessed and the essays" (of around 500 words each) ways in which we communicate with detailing the expertises of the applicant students should be clear to all experienced individuals. However, once make recommendations for ILT again, context is important and the membership. I was informed of my appropriateness of a particular method of successful application for membership examination to the learning aims and within a month of submitting my objectives must be made clear, application.

The sections I found hardest to write Overall, considering the small effort were the second and fourth. My expertise involved and the current political climate in "developing effective learning in higher education, I believe that for any environments and student support individuals eligible to use the systems" comes through my "experienced staff' entry route, early "contribution to the design and planning application for ILT membership should of learning activities" - i.e. one question be seriously considered. The ILT is here answers the other and so considerable to stay and only by joining and taking care was necessary to avoid being part in its early evolution can individuals unnecessarily repetitious. hope to see it develop into a professional body with which they are proud to be In all, completing the application took associated. me no more than a day's work. Submitted applications are reviewed by Dr ChrisPrior accreditors; educationally minded Departmentof Physiology & individuals appointed by the ILT from Pharmacology within the higher education sector. University of Strathclyde Groups of accreditors meet regularly to Glasgow G4 ONR

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS FOR BIOCHEMICAL SOCIETY AWARDS Medals and Lectures

The Awards Committee of the Biochemical Society is seeking 2 The scientist's current CV and list of relevant publications. The 10 nominations for its Medal Lectures for 2002. These prestigious awards most significant (5 in the case of the Colworth Medal) publications recognise excellence in the fields of biochemistry across different should be highlighted. stages of science careers. The following Medallists and Lecturers will 3 At least two supporting letters from eminent colleagues describing be selected during 2001 for award and presentation in 2002: the area of work undertaken and highlighting the nominees achievements in relation to the criteria. New For awards with age limits the Committee will exercise considerable Biochemical Society Award. For 2002 this new award will recognise discretion when considering nominees with significant breaks in their Scientific Communication in the Public Domain careers.

Colworth Medal Information Sir Frederick Gowland Hopkins Memorial Lecture Wellcome Trust If you have any questions about nominations please contact Sheila Award for Research in Biochemistry Related to Medicine Mills sheila.mills @biochemistry.org at: Tel: 020 7299 -4441 Full details are available on the Biochemical Society website http://www.biochemistry.or2.uklmeetings/medlect/callnom2002.htm Nomination should be sent to: The Awards Committee stresses that it is essential that, in nominating Sheila Mills an individual, you include the following: Director, Society Activities

summarises the nominee's The Biochemical Society 1 A letter from the nominator which 59 Portland Place, London W1B 1OW principle achievements and clearly describes the context in which these meet the criteria for that award. Deadline for nominations: 1 June 2001 YOUNG PHYSIOLOGISTS DESCEND ON READING

In the Hollywood film "Field of Dreams," learn to emulate the excellent Power Point Kevin Costner plays the part of a farmer presentations of our younger colleagues. obsessed with the idea of building a baseball pitch. He has no players or audience, and the In addition to contributions from the young bank is about to foreclose on his farm, but a physiologists', three plenary lectures were voice inside his head keeps whispering, given by staff from the School (David Leake, "Build it and they will come." This scenario Gavin Brooks and Jon Gibbins) and a will be painfully familiar to those who have keynote talk by the Head of School, hosted conferences, which have to be Professor Lowry, described the recent organised and paid for long before it is breakthrough concerning pre-eclampsia known whether there will be speakers or an made by his group. The highlight of the audience. meeting, however, was the superb banquet held at Colley's Victorian Supper Rooms. Fortunately for Kevin Costner, players and Victorians are renowned for the quantity as audience did appear, and the same was true well as the quality of their food - they didn't for the Young Physiologists Symposium held admire thin people - and here even the during September in the School of Animal hungriest PhD students had to admit defeat and Microbial Sciences, University of when offered a third dessert. Reading. The symposium, entitled "Cardiovascular Cells in Health and With talks of such high quality, it proved Disease," was in part a celebration of the impossible to choose one best presentation; rapid expansion of cardiovascular research in discretion was found to be the better part of the School over the last few years, and the valour and three prizes were awarded, the topic and venue proved popular: talks from recipients being Marlene Bertelsen (William more than twenty participants were squeezed Harvey Research Institute), Lauren into the one-and-a-half day meeting. Mackenzie (Babraham Institute) and Amanda Wyatt (King's College London). The young physiologists came from as far Many thanks to Giovanni Mann, Maggie afield as France, Holland and Chile, and Leggett, and Tracey Staughton and her crew, although their youth could sometimes be without whose organisational skills the questioned, their enthusiasm and Symposium would surely have collapsed, presentation skills could not. In fact, one and to Aubrey Lambert from Zeiss, who conclusion from the meeting was that the supplemented the funds received from the Physiological Society might consider Physiological Society. instituting Old Physiologists Symposia, DrPeterWeinberg wherein the more mature amongst us could (Symposium organiser)

Physiology is "New Age" - Official Anosion coursetnow cont in "Phsuhognew age subectsintems t At ce t ati lein the Sports Section of The Observer re prtd t a E r p ,

ysiology and nutrition".

ew age subjects ae Buddhism, meditation, and e stoi th t' bip...... y is.... - Editor) SIXTH FORM PHYSIOLOGY WORKSHOP UNIVERSITY OF NEWCASTLE September 2000 For those involved, September 12th and 13th use of animals in society and science, where were a hive of activity as more than 100 sixth Dr Mark Matfield of the Research Defence formers from 65 different schools (all within Society ran a well-received session. Then we about 2 hours car ride from Newcastle) all retired to Castle Leazes for some trundled into town to sample the delights of refreshments and a well-deserved rest Physiology. The day started off with (which was almost had by all). The next day refreshments kindly donated by Marks and the students were again experimenting on Spencer followed by a talk/demonstration each other, this time Dr Adrian Rees taught about how to create a human using a few them about sound and hearing before Jim simple ingredients (water, salts etc.) by Dr Coates forced them to experience what it David Sanders. There then followed two feels like to have asthma. The event was days of hands on laboratory experiments rounded off by a careers talk by Dr Maggie where the students were essentially tortured Leggett from the Physiological Society and a in various ways. First Drs Mike Gray and brief summary of Physiological Sciences at Jim Reed made them pedal until exhausted Newcastle by Prof. Michael Whitaker. on exercise bikes (whilst measuring their Alex McDougall ECG), before they retired to one of the computer clusters on the fifth floor of the Department of Physiological Sciences Medical School with Dr Alex McDougall to Medical School learn about the muscles they had just used. FramlingtonPlace They then spent the rest of the afternoon University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, debating some topical issues concerning the Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE2 4HH

Shot parvging on site...fo C

'rr _ h'D1 lt UKLSC CAREERS CONFERENCES 2000 University of Edinburgh,4 November 2000 UMIST 18 November 2000 Queen Mary and Westfield College, 2 December 2000

This year these events were an It is difficult to single out particular unprecedented success. With attendance presentations. Alan Knott, from St at all three conferences at over 250, and Martins College (a large teacher training both Edinburgh and London being over institution), who was kind enough to subscribed, the enthusiasm among speak at all three conferences, was so delegates was obvious. There was also a entertaining that one can't help envying higher percentage of postgraduates than his students, but also managed to give a ever before; at London they outnumbered realistic portrayal of the profession the undergraduates. These are the only without being discouraging. Likewise Dr careers events specifically aimed at Life Liz Sockett of Nottingham University Science students. The increased should be commended not only for her attendance shows a growing realisation informative presentation on life in among students at all stages not only that academia but also for being a ruthless they need to know about the range of and very efficient chairman. The possible careers available, but also that standard of all presentations was thinking ahead and gathering extremely high and we are indebted to all information is a necessary process in a those who gave up their time. competitive market. The conferences are organised by a The days follow a standard format with consortium of The Physiological Society, different speakers depending on location. The British Pharmacological Society, There are presentations on working in The Immunological Society, The Society the pharmaceutical industry, clinical for General Microbiology, The careers, postdocs and academic research, Biochemical Society and The Society for science communication, technology Experimental Biology. The SGM took transfer or patent law and teaching in the lead this year and deserve special schools. At every event there was a praise for their excellent administration. presentation from the main sponsor, It is likely that The Physiological Society Science Nextwave, who run a website will take a more active role next year, and specifically for careers in science so any suggestions of careers we should (www.nextwave.org), and also a session cover, offers of speaking, chairing, or on CVs and interviews. More popular simply attending to help with students than ever was the CV clinic, where queries will be greatly appreciated. The students send in their CVs before the locations have not been finalised but are event and have a 15-minute slot with one likely to be London, Bristol and Dublin. of the exhibitors for help and guidance. I look forward to seeing you there. Despite being a Saturday the exhibition was large at all locations with most of the Maggie Leggett big names being represented. No notice is carried for more than three of California, San Diego, CA 92093; Symposia for 2001: successive editions. Notices are starredso that United States. University of Cambridge readers can see at a glance whether this is the first (one star)orfinal (three stars) appearance 3 K. Svoboda Experience-dependent "Sensational Physiology" Date to be of the notice. Notices for the Summer 2001 plasticity of dendritic spines in the confirmed, details to follow. edition should reach the AdministrationOffice developing rat barrel cortex in vivo Cold by 16 March. University of Southampton Spring Harbor Laboratory, 1 Bungtown "Endothelial Cells - The Ultimate Rd, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724; Interface?" 22 May 2001. TECHNIQUES United States. The aim of this one-day symposium is to WORKSHOPS 2001 bring together young scientists from a Europe: wide range of research backgrounds who There will be three techniques workshops 4 A. Konnerth. NMDA mediated Ca share a common interest in the biology of circulated and will also be in available signals. TU Munchen, Institut fur endothelial cells, and their functional role

Germany. at the blood-tissue interface. on the website, but queries can be Physiologie, 80802 Munchen; forwarded to Maggie Leggett at 5 T. Bonhoeffer (or F. Engert). LTP-related [email protected] dendritic spine changes. Max-Planck The symposium will provide graduate Equally prospective bids to host Institute of Neurobiology, Am students, PhD students and postdoctoral workshops for 2002 should in the first Klopferspitz 18A, 82152 Munchen- researchers with the opportunity to present instance be forwarded to Maggie Leggett. Martinsried; Germany and friendly atmosphere, and to forge new Confirmed workshops include: UK: links with other young scientists in the field. We plan an integrated physiological University of Glasgow, Workshop on 6 Blakemore C. Morphology and growth symposium and therefore welcome a Fluorescence Imaging Using Confocal patterns of developing thalamocortical broad range of scientists to participate Microscopy, September/October 2001 axons. University Laboratory of with backgrounds including physiology, (details to follow) Physiology, University of Oxford, Parks pharmacology, immunology, biochemistry University of Bristol, Teaching Road, Oxford OX1 3PT; United Kingdom. and molecular biology. Symposium on "Dynamic confocal 7 Kasparov S. / Paton J.F.R. - Bristol. imaging of living brain", 30 June 2001. Understanding physiology of the NTS All delegates will be expected to Organisers: Drs. S. Kasparov and J.F.R. using FRET fusion proteins, contribute to the meeting by presenting an Paton 8 A talk from Leica. Advancements in oral communication (10 minutes + 5 (and minutes discussion time) or poster. A prize This symposium will bring together the confocal imaging in living tissue will be given for the best oral international experts in confocal novel fluorophores?). imagingleading of cells within living brain slices communication and the best poster. The and/or in situ brain preparations. Three Other potential speakers: meeting will finish with a lecture by Professor Tom MacDonald, University of main topics will be of particular interest: J.E. Lisman, Volen Center for Complex Southampton. 1) motility of nerve cells, 2) use of Systems, Brandeis University, Waltham, fluorescence resonance energy transfer MA 02254; United States. A role of actin There is no fee to register for the meeting, (FRET) in real-time imaging 3) advances filament in synaptic transmission and and no charge for the symposium dinner in in two-photon imaging in integrative long-term potentiation. Ocean Village. Places are limited and will preparations. Not more than 8 talks be allocated on a first-come-first-served (preferably 6) of 30 - 35 minutes each will K. Krnjevic, McIntyre Centre, 3655 basis. be presented and demonstrations will be Drummond St., Montreal, Que. H3G 1Y6; organized during the lunch break. Canada. Intraneuronal [Ca2+] changes Email Dr Dean Brown Further, we will encourage other members induced by 2-deoxy-D-glucose in rat ([email protected]) for further details of the Bristol Imaging Group to present hippocampal slices* and a registration form. Deadline for their data and take part in the discussions. registration and receipt of abstracts is 31st Proposed list of speakers and their topics: * March 2001. Successful applicants will be YOUNG PHYSIOLOGIST'S notified by mid April 2001.* USA: . SYMPOSIA 2001 1 Yuste, R. Motility of neurites in living brain slices. Department of Pathology, There will be two Young Physiologist's ************* *********** Columbia University, College of Symposia in 2001. Further information Please note that while members are Physicians and Surgeons, 630 West 168th will be circulated and will also be in welcome to advertise relevant events in Street, New York, NY 10032; United available on the website, but queries can the Magazine and on the website, States. be forwarded to Maggie Leggett at advertisements via email will be 2 G.Y. Fan - Two-photon imaging using [email protected] cameleons Dr. G.Y. Fan, Equally, prospective bids to host symposia restricted to events sponsored by the Microscopy/Imaging Res. Natl. Ctr., for 2002 should in the first instance be Society Department of Neurosciences, University forwarded to Maggie Leggett. THE 673rd BIOCHEMICAL ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION Jacques Duysens and Herman Kingma SOCIETY MEETING TO THE JOURNAL OF kindly invite you to: MOLECULAR PHYSIOLOGY ISPG 2001 COMMUNICATIONS The Journal of Physiology now accepts June 23-27th 2001 10-12 April 2001 manuscripts submitted electronically via Symposium of the International Society University of Bristol UK the World Wide Web. The submission for Postural and Gait Research form, Scientific Programme: together with author instructions, CONTROL OF POSTURE AND GAIT can be accessed from: Website: " Molecuar Communications http://www.jphysiol.org *** http://www.mbfys.kun.nl/ispg200l * Assembly and Repair of Membrane­ bound Electron Transport Complexes: ************************************* First Announcement and Call for Papers Impact on Plant Physiology and Medicine 3RD EUROPEAN Congress to be held at " Membrane Active Peptides FEDERATION OF MAASTRICHT, The Netherlands * Insulin Action AUTONOMIC SOCIETIES " The Interface of Receptor Signalling (EFAS) MEETING Organized by: and Trafficking Herman Kingma,PhD In conjunction with the annual meeting of Division of Balance Disorders Research: the sections 'Autonomic Nervous System' Maastricht Research Institute Brain & The Biochemical Society will award £200 of the German Neurological Society, behaviour for the best student poster displayed at the 'Diabetes and Nervous System' of the Health care: meeting and £50 for the runner up. The German Neurological Society, and Dept. of ORL and Head and Neck Surgery judges will consider scientific content and 'Autonomic Nervous System at the University Hospital Maastricht presentation when deciding the winner. University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, E-Mail: [email protected] Entrants must be a student member of the Germany. and Biochemical Society. At The Department of Neurology, JacquesDuysens, MD, PhD Posterabstractdeadline:15 January2001 Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen- Dept. of Medical Physics and Biophysics Registrationdeadline:26 February2001 Nuremberg, Schwabachanlage 6, D-91054 University of Nijmegen, KUN Erlangen, Germany. [email protected] Health care: SMK-research Information Organising Secretariat: Prof Dr M J Hilz, Sint Maartenskliniek, Nijmegen, The The full programme and registration form Department of Neurology, University of Netherlands is available at: Erlangen-Nuremberg, Schwabachanlage E-Mail: [email protected] http://www.biochemistry.org/meetings 6, D-91054 Erlangen, Germany. Tel: +49 Registrationfee: 9131 8534444; Fax: +49 9131 8534328 Themes Biochemical Society Members: Free Congress Language: English * Falls in the elderly Members: £25.00 Internet: http://www.neurologie.med.uni- * Cognitive loading in posture and gait Non-members: £-100 per day e Development of posture and gait Student members of scientific societies: erlangen.de/oeffentliche Veranstaltungen. Robotics and models Free ht Gait navigation BiochemicalSociety membership Abstract submission: all communications - Central Pattern Generators and their Join before the meeting and save £Es. submitted will be presented as posters. In control Contact the Biochemical Society for details. addition to the specific topics of • Interlimb coordination 'Baroreceptor Reflexes, Gastrointestinal - Neuro-imaging of gait and posture Membership fee: Full £47, Student £14 Dysfunction, and Diabetic Neuropathy', - Anticipatory postural control

Travel grants are available to support both free topics of the various aspects of the * Pathology: Parkinson and cerebellum full and student members of the Autonomic Nervous System are * Gait and posture in stroke Biochemical Society attend this meeting. particularly welcome. • CP and Botulinum toxin Deadline for Abstract Submission: * Gait and posture in microgravity Forfurther informationcontact: 20 December 2000. • Gait and posture training programs The Meetings Office, Biochemical Society, * Rehabilitation of gait and posture 59 Portland Place, London W lB 1QW Publication: Abstracts and summaries of • Orthopaedic aspects Tel: 020 7580 3481 Fax: 020 7637 7626 the invited lectures will be published in * Perturbations of gait and posture E-mail: [email protected]* 'Clinical Autonomic Research'. ** - Vestibular aspects of posture and gait • Spinal lesion •************************************ ************************************* * Vision and Posture & Gait Workshops on • E-mail address, tel. # and fax # of visit the halls where the Maastricht Treaty " EMG contact author was signed in 1992. Enjoy Maastricht"s " Force measurements • Topics which best describe the paper skyline of church's spires and towers and " 3-D motion analysis (max. 5 keywords) its tree lined squares. But also be sure not " Rehabilitation technology • Theme of session or workshop to miss 'In den Ouden Vogelstruys', the oldest pub. We guarantee that The final program of the parallel sessions Important dates: Netherlands' will be arranged in accordance with the - December 15th ,2000: Submission Maastricht and its people will delight and willbe iththecharm rraned n acordnce you. for papers registered number of speakers and deadline participants * February 1st, 2001: Notification of REGISTRATION acceptance; possibly advise for PROCEEDINGS AND adjustments See our website for instructions: PUBLICATIONS - March 1st 2001: Delivery of adjusted http://www.mbfys.kun.nl/ispg2001

Congress book papers Organizing Secretariat As in former versions of the congress, all * June 23-27th: ISPG2001 congress Conference Agency Limburg participants (oral sessions and posters) are P.O. Box 1402 entitled to submit a 4-page paper. This SESSIONS 6201 BK Maastricht paper will be the basis for selection of Oral presentations The Netherlands some of the oral presentations. Normally There are both invited speakers and free Telephone: +31(0)43 361 91 92 these papers will be included in the book oral presentations. Those wishing to Telefax: +31(0)43 361 90 20 but a reviewing process will be used to present an oral paper should indicate their E-mail address: screen for papers which have to be revised choice when sending their paper. On the [email protected]* or even excluded. The book will be basis of the papers a selection will be published by NPI with ISBN registration. made for oral presentations. A limited This book will be handed out to all number of speakers will be invited for registered participants at the meeting. plenary lectures. BREAKING SYMMETRY IN Submission of papers Poster presentations HAEMODYNAMICS Prospective participants are requested to Poster presentations are encouraged for 23-24 April 2001 E-mail a draft paper in either WORD or people who wish to receive peer feedback. WORDPERFECT (maximum 1200 words, The papers based on the posters can A two day workshop on the role of including I or 2 illustrations; without besubmitted for inclusion in the book. breaking symmetries in large vessel flows illustrations the maximum is 1280 words). Format instructions for the poster will sponsored by the British Heart All participants should send their paper to follow. Foundation [email protected] Congress Language Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine The official conference language is for review by the Internationalfor eviw Program bytheIntenatonalProramChaired by Colin Caro (Imperial, UK) Committee. All submissions must be English. No simultaneous translation aid byrCn Car (Ipia, U) written in English, starting with a succinct service will be provided. statement of the problem, the results The geometry of large vessels substantially achieved, their significance and a CONGRESS LOCATION determines the blood flow field within comparison with previous work. The Address: them. This, in turn, markedly influences following sections should be present: title, Crowne Plaza Hotel Maastricht their biology and the development of authors with affiliation and addresses, Ruiterij 1 disease. It has been usual practice to model introduction, methods, results, discussion, 6221 EW Maastricht the geometry of large vessels as planar and references. The format for these papers is The Netherlands the associated flow as axisymmetric or the same as for the papers for the "Posture Telephone: +31 (0)43 350 91 91 symmetrical about a plane of curvature. and Gait" journal except that a summary Tele : +31 (0) 43 35091 9 The geometry of large vessels is, however, abstract isnot needed and that there isa El ad:92 commonly non-planar and the associated

strict limitation of number of words. If E-mail address: flow is asymmetric. As recently recognised, photographs are used for illustrations the cpm [email protected] there may be, in consequence, important authors should provide an original. For http://www.crowneplaza.com/ effects on vascular biology and disease. examples for the 4 page papers one can The aims of the workshop are: Congress Site also consultalsoconslt thehe boksbooks fromromprevous previous SituatedMaastricht, close to the borders of Belgium •To increase the understanding of large and Germany, the Roman city of vessel geometry and flow The submission should also include a Maastricht has a cosmopolitan •To consider recent advances in cover sheet with: atmosphere. It is the capital of the understanding of the effects of large * Preferred format: province "Limburg" in the southernmost vessel geometry and flow on vascular Oral or Poster presentation part of the Netherlands. To visit Maastricht biology and pathology, including the " Name of author to contact for is like traveling through time. Walk on implications for vascular interventions correspondence Roman cobble stones from 150 BC and such as bypass grafts. The two-day programme will consist of Scientists of all disciplines with an interest As an official satellite symposium of the six keynote lectures and a series of five in ion channels are invited to attend and 34th IUPS Congress you can register for invited discussion groups supplemented participate in this exciting satellite this symposium when you register for the by poster presentations symposium on the Structure and Function IUPS Congress, or directly with the The IUPS Congress is in Places will be strictly limited and a small of Ion Channels. organisers. to cover the conference dinner, Christchurch, New Zealand 26-31 August charge freshm en ce de. The symposium will embrace the new 2001. lunch and refreshments will be made. ida an chlegsoincanl ideas and challenges of ion channel Further details from the Conference research. This satellite symposium follows the Secretary, Gill Cash - Congress. Email: [email protected]** Plenary Lecture Prof. Frances Ashcroft, Oxford University Further information can be found at the symposium website­ Invited speakers include: http:\\www.garvan.unsw.edu.au\public\ STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION Henry Lester Walter StChmer Conferences\Channels* OF ION CHANNELS Michel Lazdunski Boris Martinac 2-5 September 2001 Chris Miller Gary Housley Clay Armstrong Arthur Karlin Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains, Leura, Steve Sine Joe Lynch Australia. An official satellite of the 34th Annette Dolphin Karl Magleby IUPS Congress Francisco Bezanilla David Clapham

MICROELECTRODE TECHNIQUES FOR CELL PHYSIOLOGY 18th Workshop 5-19 September 2001 Laboratoryof the MarineBiologicalAssociation of the UK, CitadelHill, Plymouth, PL1 2PB

Information for applicants reasons for wishing to attend and your experience of techniques The workshop provides intensive practical experience of a taught on the work-shop, List in order of priority four techniques number of microelectrode, patch clamp and optical techniques you would like to learn. applied to single cells. It is intended for postgraduate students, 2 Provide a brief CV (2 sides maximum) and list ofpublications. pt doctoral workers or established scientists wishing to apply 3 The application must be accompanied by a letter of these techniques intheir research. recommendation from an academic referee, preferably PhD supervisor or Head of Laboratory, This letter should indicate how * The following basic techniques are offered: Two electrode your career, the laboratory in which you work and the area of voltage clamp, Patch clamp, Single electrode voltage-clamp, Dye research that you intend to pursue will benefit from your indicators. parctato inten o p injection, Ion-sensitive microelectrodes, Fluorescent participation in the workshop. There are 16 places. Participants work in pairs and have the 4 What is your likely source of funding? opportunity to do three 3-day experiments in the two weeks. In addition, lectures and practical sessions on electronics, data Funding acquisition and computer analysis, and microscopy will be given. Applicants with MRC or BBSRC Studentships - Simply state Daily lectures given by teachers and visiting lecturers cover the you have a studentship in your application. Do not apply to the basic techniques taught and certain specialised topics. A copy Research Council directly. of the Plymouth Microelectrode Handbook will be provided. D~aleD and Rushton Funds of the Physiological Society - help * Accommodation (for 14 nights arrive & depart on with funding is usually available for young physiologists working Wednesday) is close to the laboratory and includes breakfast. in the UK. If you wish to apply please indicate in your application Lunch is provided in the lab each day and an allowance is given to the workshop. There is no need to apply directly to the Dale for an evening meal. and Rushton funds before workshop applications are assessed. * The course fee of £1100 includes accommodation, meals Bursaries - The workshop can provide some half bursaries - if and tuition. Participants are responsible for their own travel you think you will have difficulty finding the full fee please arrangements. indicate in your application.

THE CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS IS 30 APRIL 2001 A meeting to assess applications will occur Applications should be sent to: during May and all applicants will be notified of the outcome. David Ogden, Microelectrode Techniques, NIMR, The Ridgeway, London NW7 1AA, UK How to apply: email: [email protected] There is no application form. Information on internet: 1 Please give a concise description of your research, your www.nmr.mr.ac.uk/EVents/microelectrode.htm i ,