An Invitation to Participate in EPHAR 2008

On behalf of our colleagues in EPHAR and the British Arthur Weston Pharmacological Society, who are hosting this event, it is our President, Federation of great pleasure to extend a personal invitation to participate European Pharmacological in EPHAR 2008, which will be held in Manchester from 13th to Societies 17th July 2008.

Over the 4-day meeting, basic and clinical pharmacologists, together with related bioscientists from EPHAR’s 24 affi liated Pharmacological Societies with a total of 12,000 members, will enjoy an unrivalled scientifi c feast. The programme itself is unparalleled; free scientifi c communications together with plenary lectures and cutting-edge symposia with subject- leading speakers will ensure that EPHAR 2008 is the most important international pharmacological event of the year.

EPHAR 2008 will take place at University Place, Manchester University’s brand new International Conference Centre with superb facilities for exhibitors and delegates alike. Set in the heart of the UK’s largest single-site University, with an income of £514 million and 10,400 staff, no organisation whose business encompasses the broad range of products and services used by today’s pharmacologists can afford to miss Jeffrey Aronson out on a unique opportunity to establish important new President, British contacts and consolidate existing ones. Pharmacological Society Manchester itself is easily reached by road, rail or air. Steeped in the history of the Industrial Revolution, the city offers vibrant cultural, leisure and sporting facilities for evening entertainment. The Congress Dinner, to which all participants are warmly invited, will be held at Old Trafford, home of the world-famous Manchester United Football Club.

We look forward to seeing you at EPHAR 2008 in Manchester between 13th and17th July; don’t miss the opportunity to be part of this unique event!

Arthur Weston President, Federation of European Pharmacological Societies

Jeffrey Aronson President, British Pharmacological Society KEY DATES

Abstract Submission deadline 20th March 2008

Bursary Application deadline 20th March 2008

Early Bird Registration deadline 20th March 2008

Online Registration deadline 7th July 2008

Dates of Congress 13th -17th July 2008

CONTENTS LIST

Committees p. 1 - 3

Scientifi c Programme p. 4 - 14

Satellite Meetings p. 15 - 17

General Information p. 17 - 21

COMMITTEES EPHAR 2008 Executive Committee

Chair: Jeffrey Aronson (Oxford), President, British Pharmacological Society (BPS)

Arthur Weston (Manchester) President, EPHAR

Richard Green (Nottingham) BPS representative on EPHAR Council

Mandy MacLean (Glasgow) Vice-President (Meetings), BPS

Manfred Göthert (Bonn) Past-President, EPHAR

Alan Cuthbert (Cambridge) Past-President, EPHAR

Eeva Moilanen (Tampere) EPHAR Executive Committee

Daniel McQueen (Edinburgh) Honorary Treasurer, BPS

Kate Baillie BPS Chief Executive

Kevin Kearns BPS Deputy Chief Executive & Secretary

Luisa Hambley BPS Meetings Manager

EPHAR 2008 Organising Committee

Chair: Mandy MacLean (Glasgow)

Committee Members: Kate Baillie (BPS)

Susan Brain (London)

Mike Curtis (London)

Mark Dowling (Novartis)

Luisa Hambley (BPS)

1 Kevin Kearns (BPS) Sarah Mackay (BPS)

Ian McFadzean (London)

Donald Singer (Warwick)

Sergey Smirnov (Bath)

Domenico Spina (London)

Andrew Tobin (Leicester)

David Williams (Aberdeen)

EPHAR 2008 Scientifi c Advisory Committee

Pavel Anzenbacher (Olomouc)

Stefan Boehm (Vienna)

Ernst Brodin (Stockholm)

Marija Čarman-Kržan (Ljubljana)

Flaminio Cattabeni (Milan)

Oguz Guc (Ankara)

George Karakiulakis (Thessaloniki)

D A Kharkevich (Moscow)

Wojciech Kostowski (Poland)

Romain Lefebvre (Ghent)

Finn Olav Levy (Oslo)

Eeva Moilanen (Tampere)

Nela Pivac (Zagreb)

Radomir Radomirov (Sofi a)

Joaquin-Alexandre Ribeiro (Lisbon)

Felipe Sanchez de la Cuesta (Malaga)

Jean Sassard (Lyon) 2 Karsten Schrör (Dusseldorf)

S B Seredenin (Moscow)

Ulf Simonsen (Aarhus)

Olivier Staub (Lausanne)

Pavel Svec (Bratislava)

Janos Szolcsanyi (Pècs)

Arthur Weston (Manchester)

Hans Zaagsma (Gröningen)

3 SUNDAY CONGRESS MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY 13 JULY TIMINGS 14 JULY 15 JULY 16 JULY 17 JULY 18 JULY 19 JULY 20 JULY 8.30 - 9.30 Plenary Plenary Plenary Plenary Cardiovascular Cardiovascular Serotonin Club lecture lecture lecture lecture Workshop Workshop Satellite Meeting (Manchester) (Manchester) (Oxford) 9.30 – 12.30 5 x parallel 5 x parallel 5 x parallel 5 x parallel Coffee 10.30- symposia symposia symposia symposia 11.00 Serotonin Club Serotonin Club Satellite Satellite 12.30 – 14.30 Lunch & Lunch & Lunch & Lunch & Meeting Meeting poster viewing poster viewing poster viewing poster viewing (Oxford) (Oxford)

14.30 - 15.30 Oral Oral Oral Oral communications communications communications communications

17.00 15.30 – 16.00 Coffee Coffee Coffee Coffee Open Registration

18.00–18.30 16.00 – 17.00 Oral Oral Oral Oral Welcome communications communications communications communications address

18.30 – 20.00 Evening Informal Social EPHAR Council Congress Dinner Serotonin Club Welcome Events at Old Trafford Satellite Meeting Reception Dinner Oxford 4 SCIENTIFIC PRELIMINARY SCIENTIFIC PROGRAMME PROGRAMME PLENARY LECTURES EPHAR 2008 Lecture Understanding molecular mechanisms and cell injury and death: a way to improve drug safety and design Professor Pierluigi Nicotera, MRC Toxicology Unit, University of Leicester, UK

EPHAR President’s Lecture Calcium signalling in health and disease Professor Sir Michael Berridge, The Babraham Institute, UK

The AstraZeneca Lecture Advanced medicines: must we exclude the global poor? Professor Thomas Pogge, Yale University, USA and CAPPE, Australian National University, Australia

The MSD Lecture New therapeutic targets for asthma and COPD Professor Frans P. Nijikamp, Utrecht University, The Netherlands

SYMPOSIA Nitric Oxide-Oxidative and Nitrosative Stresses-PARP Pathway The French NO Society Symposium

Organiser: Prof. Catherine Marchand-Leroux, University Paris 5, France

Speakers: Nitric Oxide, Nitrosative Stress in the Pathogenesis of Diabetic Complications Prof. Csaba Szabo, Semmelweis University, Hungary and Uni- versity of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, USA

Is Endothelial Dysfunction a Therapeutic Target in Heart Fail- ure? Prof. Vincent Richard, Rouen University Hospital, France

Nitrosative Stress and Circulatory Shock Prof. Salvatore Cuzzocrea, University of Messina, Italy

Nitric Oxide/Nitrosative Stress Pathway in Brain Injury Dr Valerie Besson, University Paris Descartes, France

Functional Selectivity and GPCRs

Organisers: Dr Eamonn Kelly, University of Bristol, UK Prof. Graeme Henderson, University of Bristol, UK

Speakers: Prof. Brian Koblika, Stanford University , USA Prof. Philip G Strange, University of Reading, UK 5 Prof. Michael Spedding, Institut de Recherche Servier, France Dr Chris P Bailey, University of Bath, UK Reducing QT Liability & Proarrhythmic Risk in Drug Discovery & Development

Organiser: Dr Jean-Pierre Valentin, AstraZeneca, UK

Speakers: Non-Clinical Strategies to address QT Liability and Proarrhythmic Risk Dr Chris Pollard, AstraZeneca, UK

Value of Non-Clinical Repolarisation Assay Studies to Support Drug Discovery, Development, Regulatory Approval, and Life Cycle Management Dr Jean-Pierre Valentin, AstraZeneca, UK

Through QT/QTc Study: A Review Three Years after Implementation Dr Borje Darpo, Consultant, Sweden

Drug Induced QT Shortening – Is it an Issue? Dr Rashmi Shah, Medical and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, UK

Integrated Risk Assessment and Predictive Value to Humans of Non-Clinical Repolarisation Assays Dr Rob Wallis, Pfi zer, UK

Calcium-Activated K+ Channels and Endothelial Cell Signalling – Therapeutic Target?

Organisers: Prof. Ulf Simonsen, University of Aarhus, Denmark Dr Michel Félétou, Institut de Recherche Servier, France

Speakers: K+ Channels and Release of EDHF Dr Gillian Edwards, University of Manchester, UK

Role of K+ Channels in Restenosis and Angiogenesis Dr Ralf Köhler, Philipps-Universität, Germany

K+ Channels and Release of Nitric Oxide Dr Edgaras Stankevicius, University of Aarhus, Denmark

K+ Channels and Endothelial Dysfunction – Therapeutic Option? Dr Michel Félétou, Institut de Recherche Servier, France

6 The Histamine H3 and H4 Receptors: Drug Targets for the Anti-Histamines of the 21st Century

Organisers: Dr Paul Chazot, University of Durham, UK Dr Ekaterini Tiligada, University of Athens, Greece

Chairs: Prof. Steve Hill, University of Nottingham, UK Prof. Robin Ganellin, University College, UK

Speakers: Histamine H3 Receptors in Psychiatric Diseases and Parkinson’s Disease Prof. Pertti Panula, University of Helsinki, Finland

Histamine H3 Receptor Antagonists: From Target Identifi cation to Clinical Candidate Prof. Nicholas Carruthers, Johnson & Johnson, USA

Histamine Receptors: From the Human Genome to New Therapeutic Options for Infl ammatory Disorders Prof. Rob Leurs, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Netherlands

The H4 Receptor and Potential Cancer Therapy Prof. Andras Falus, Semmelweis University, Hungary

G12/13 Signalling of G Protein-Coupled Receptors: Mechanistic Insights and Therapeutic Impact

Organiser: Dr Sandra Siehler, Novartis, Switzerland

Speakers: Physiological Relevance of Galpha12 and Galpha13 in Various Tissues Dr Stefan Offermanns, University of Heidelberg, Germany

Role of G12/13 Signalling in Cancer Invasion and Metastasis Dr Patrick J Casey, University of Durham, UK

Regulation of RhoGEF Proteins by Galpha12/13-Coupled Receptors, and Disease-Related Context Dr Sandra Siehler, Novartis, Switzerland

Involvement of the G12-RhoGEF-Rho Pathway in Neurotransmitter Release of C. Elegans Dr Stephen J Nurrish, University College, UK

7 Pharmacological Modulators of Endocannabinoid Tone: Their Therapeutic Potential

Organisers: Prof. Christopher Fowler, Umeå University, Sweden Prof. Roger Pertwee, University of Aberdeen, UK

Speakers: Introduction to the Pharmacology of the Endocannabinoid System Prof. Roger Pertwee, University of Aberdeen, UK

Inhibition of Endocannabinoid Metabolism as a Strategy for the Treatment of Pain and Anxiety Prof. Daniele Piomelli, University of California, USA

The Endocannabinoid System as a Target for the Treatment of Motor Dysfunction Prof. Javier Fernandez-Ruiz, Universidad Complutense, Spain

Involvement of Endocannabinoids in Appetite Prof. Vincenzo Di Marzo, National Research Council, Italy

Novel Approaches to Targeting the Endocannabinoid System Dr Julia Adam, Organon Research, The Netherlands

Perspectives and Future Strategies Prof. Christopher Fowler, Umeå University, Sweden

L-Arginine Metabolism and Arginase in Health and Disease

Organisers: Prof. Herman Meurs, University of Gröningen, The Netherlands Prof. Johan Zaagsma, University of Gröningen, The Speakers: Netherlands

Recent Advances in L-Arginine Metabolism Prof. Sidney M Morris Jr, University of Pittsburgh, USA

Regulation of Cationic Amino Acid Transport Prof. Ellen I Closs, Johannes Gutenberg University, Germany

Role of Arginase in the Immune System Dr Markus Munder, University of Heidelberg, Germany

Arginase: A Novel Key Enzyme in Asthma Dr Harm Maarsingh, University of Gröningen, The Netherlands 8 Novel Tricks for Old Enemies: Anti-Remodelling Strategies for Lung Diseases

Organiser: Prof George Karakiulakis, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece

Speakers: Modifying the Wnt System as a Therapeutic Approach for Pulmonary Fibrosis Dr Oliver Eickelberg, University of Giessen, Germany

Novel Therapeutic Targets in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Dr Nicholas W. Morell, University of Cambridge, UK

The ‘Sweet and Bitter’ Involvement in Lung Diseases Dr Eleni Papakonstantinou, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece

The Role of the Smooth Muscle Cell in Airway Remodelling in Asthma Dr Michael Roth, University of Sydney, Australia

TGFβ Superfamily Signalling in Lung Development and Pathology Dr Pashalis Sideras, Academy of Athens, Greece

Myocardial Receptor-Mediated Signalling in Heart Failure – New Treatment Modalities and Individualised Treatment

Organiser: Prof. Finn Olav Levy, University of Oslo, Norway

Chairs: Prof. Jan-Bjørn Osnes, University of Oslo, Norway Prof. Finn Olav Levy, University of Oslo, Norway

Speakers: Mechanisms of Benefi cial Effects of Beta-Adrenoceptor Blockade in Heart Failure Stefan Engelhardt, University of Wurzburg, Germany

Adrenoceptor Polymorphisms and Individualised Treatment of Heart Failure Kirsten Leineweber, University of Essen, Germany

Dual Serotonergic Regulation of the Failing Cardiac Ventricle: Mechanisms and Possible Therapeutic Consequences Finn Olav Levy, University of Oslo, Norway

Role of Myocardial Alpha1 – Adrenoceptors in Heart Failure Paul C Simpson, San Francisco VA Medical Centre, USA 9

Receptor Heteromerization: New Challenges for Pharmacology

Organiser: Prof. Ana Maria Sebastião, University of Lisbon, Portugal

Speakers: G Protein-Coupled Receptor Dimerization: Molecular Basis and Relevance for Function Prof. Graeme Milligan, University of Glasgow, UK

The Two State Dimer Model Prof. Rafael Franco, University of Barcelona, Spain

D1-D2 Hetero-oligomers with Unique Pharmacology Brian O’Dowd, University of Toronto, Canada

Cross Talk between Tyrosine Kinase Receptors and GPCRs Prof. Ana Maria Sebastião, University of Lisbon, Portugal

Calcium Sensing Receptors: Pharmacology, Function, and Medication

Organisers: Dr Gillian Edwards, University of Manchester, UK Prof. Martial Ruat, CNRS, France

Speakers: Calcium, Allosteric Modulators and Calcium Sensing Receptor Activity Prof. Martial Ruat, CNRS, France

Calcium Sensing Receptors in the Vasculature: Pharmacology and Functions Prof. Arthur Weston, University of Manchester, UK

Pharmacology of GPRC6A and Related Receptors Prof. Hans Bräuner-Osborne, Danish University of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Denmark

Calcimimetics for Hyperparathyroidism in Patients Receiving Haemodialysis Prof. Tilman B Drueke MD, Necker Hospital, France

10 Novel Approaches to the Treatment of Parkinson’s Disease

Organiser: Dr Bastian Hengerer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Germany

Present Understanding of Neurodegenerative Mechanisms Speakers: in Parkinson’s Disease Prof. Peter Jenner, Kings College, UK

Non-Human Primate Models of Motor and Non-Motor Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease Prof. Erwan Bezard, University of Bordeaux 2, France

Cell Models of Genetic Parkinson’s Disease for Testing Neuroprotective Therapeutic Agents Prof. Christopher Ross, Johns Hopkins University, USA

Exogeneous Modulation of Adult Neurogenesis in Preclinical Models of Parkinson’s Disease Prof. Jürgen Winkler, University of Regensberg, Germany

Endothelium-Derived Contracting Factors: From Bench to Bedside

Organisers: Prof Paul M Vanhoutte, University of Hong Kong, China Dr Michel Félétou, Institut de Recherche Servier, France

Speakers: Uridine Adenosine-Tetraphosphate: A New Endothelium- Derived Contracting Factor Dr Joachim Jankowski, Charite-Universitaetsmedizin Berlin, Germany

Endothelium-Dependent Contractions and the Prostanoid TP Receptor Michel Félétou, Institut de Recherche Servier, France

Endothelium-Dependent Contractions and Endothelial Dysfunction in Human Essential Hypertension Prof. Stefano Taddei, University of Pisa, Italy

Endothelin Receptor Antagonists and Cardiovascular Diseases Prof David J Webb, University of Edinburgh, UK

11 Immunopharmacology

Organiser: Prof. Pavel Anzenbacher, Palacky University, Czech Republic

Speakers: Cytokine Blockade: a Major Movement in Translational Medical Research Dr Marc Feldmann, Imperial College, UK

Screening for Cytokine-Stimulatory Potential of Drugs - Why and How Dr Zdenek Zidek, Academy of Sciences, Czech Republic

tbc Dr C A Akdis, Weiss Institute, Switzerland

tbc Dr Adam Cohen, Leiden University, The Netherlands

Recent Advances in Drug Transporters and their Polymorphisms

Organiser: Prof. Eeva Moilanen, University of Tampere, Finland

Speakers: Transporters in the Cardiovascular System: Physiological and Pharmacological Functions Prof. Heyo K Kroemer, Ernst Moritz Arndt University, Germany

The Role of Serotonin Transporters in Pulmonary Haemodynamics Prof. Mandy MacLean, University of Glasgow, UK

Impact of OATP Transporters on Drug Disposition Dr Nikko Niemi, University of Helsinki, Finland

Drug Transporters in the Human Blood-Placental Barrier Prof. Kirsi Vahakangas, University of Kuopio, Finland

12 EPAC: A Novel Signalling Factor in the Pulmonary and Cardiovascular Systems

Organiser: Dr Martina Schmidt, University of Gröningen, The Netherlands

Speakers: The Role of Epac1 in Endothelial Cell-Cell Junction Formation Prof. Johannes L Bos, UMC Utrecht, The Netherlands

Compartmentalized cAMP Signalling in Cardiac Myocytes Dr Manuela Zaccolo, University of Glasgow, UK

Regulation of Anti-Infl ammatory Signalling by Epac in Vascular Endothelial Cells Dr Stephen Yarwood, University of Glasgow, UK

Epac in Airway Development and Biology Dr Martina Schmidt, University of Gröningen, The Netherlands

Imaging Technology in Drug Research and Development

Organiser: Dr Izaak Den Daas, Xendo Drug Development B.V, The Netherlands

Speakers: Molecular Imaging of Gene Expression in the Living Dr Georges Vassaux, Institut des Maladies de l’Appareil Digestif 1, France

Positron Emission Tomography: the Conceptual Idea Using a Multi Disciplinary Approach Dr Anne M.J Paans, University Medical Centre Groningen, The Netherlands

Functional Neuroimaging Studies of Studies of Emotion Processing Dr Andre Aleman, University of Groningen, The Nether- lands

Neuroimaging as a Tool in Early Drug Development and Experimental Medicine Dr Peter de Boer, Johnson & Johnson, Belgium

13 Pharmacology and Functional Roles of KCNQ Potassium Channels

Organiser: Prof. Alison Gurney, University of Manchester, UK

Speakers: KCNQ4 Channels and Progressive Hearing Loss Prof. Thomas J Jentsch, FMP Leibniz Institute, Germany

KCNQ Channels in Smooth Muscle Dr Ian Greenwood, University of London, UK

Neuronal KCNQ Channels Prof. David Brown, University College, UK

KCNQ Channel Modulators Dr Søren-Peter Olesen, University of Copenhagen, Denmark

Issues and Challenges of Receptor Allosterism in Drug Discovery

Organisers: Dr Chris Langmead, GlaxoSmithKline, UK Dr Martyn Wood, GlaxoSmithKline, UK

Speakers: Overview of Allosterism in Drug Discovery Prof. Arthur Christopoulous, Monash University, Australia

Developing Allosteric Modulators of Ion Channels Dr Pierre Paoletti, CNRS, France

Developing Allosteric Modulators of GPCRs Dr Emmanuel LePoul, Addex Pharma SA, Switzerland

Assay Design and Data Analysis Dr Chris Langmead, GlaxoSmithKline, UK

14 SATELLITE MEETINGS

INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP ON METHODS IN CARDIOVASCULAR PHARMACOLOGY FRIDAY 18 – SATURDAY 19 JULY

. A WORKSHOP FOR YOUNG PHARMACOLOGISTS . NO REGISTRATION FEE . ACCOMMODATION AND MEALS PROVIDED BY THE BRITISH PHARMACOLOGICAL. SOCIETY . PRIZE FOR BEST POSTER

This Workshop will focus on modern methods in cardiovascular pharmacology, from single cell fl uorescence and electrophysiology to myography and whole heart dynamics. It is aimed at scientists at an early stage in their careers, primarily postgraduate students and postdoctoral fellows within 3 years of starting their fi rst post. The programme will include lectures, poster presentations, and practical demonstrations of related techniques. Applicants are required to submit an abstract and present a poster, based on their own work. A prize will be awarded for the best poster, which must also be pre- sented at the main EPHAR meeting.

All lectures, posters, and discussions will be in English.

Speakers: David Beech (Leeds, UK) Fabien Brette (Manchester, UK) Mark Boyett (Manchester, UK) Halina Dobrzynski (Manchester, UK) Kim Dora (Bath, UK) Ian Fearon (Manchester, UK) Rodolphe Fischmeister (Paris, France) Alison Gurney (Manchester, UK) Per Hellstrand (Lund, Sweden) Kath Hinchliffe (Manchester, UK) Holly Shiels (Manchester, UK)

DEMONSTRATIONS Demonstrations to small groups of participants will include:

SMALL VESSEL WIRE MYOGRAPHY PRESSURE MYOGRAPHY FLUORESCENCE IMAGING ISOLATED PERFUSED HEART PATCH CLAMP OF MYOCYTES CELL ISOLATION TECHNIQUES

15 SEROTONIN CLUB THURSDAY 17 JULY - SATURDAY 20 JULY

The Serotonin Club is holding a satellite meeting to EPHAR 2008 at Keble College, Oxford from 17 to 20 July 2008. Keble College is in the heart of the city, directly opposite the University Museum and University Parks and a gentle stroll from the Sheldonian Theatre, Bodleian Library, covered market, and the historic pubs of St Giles. The college provides state-of-the-art conference facilities and modern accommodation in idyllic surroundings. Meals will be taken in the magnifi cent Dining Hall, which is one of the largest and most impressive in the University. Registration will open on 17th July with a welcome reception in the evening. The meeting commences on Friday 18th July and will include both the Page and Rapport plenary lectures and consist of a full programme of symposia and free communications on all aspects of both central and peripheral serotonin research. The meeting will close at 13.00 on Sunday 20 July. Accommodation for delegates will be in Keble College, which has both single and double rooms with en suite facilities. This arrangement has allowed registration and accommodation costs to be negotiated as a package at a very favourable rate.

PLENARY LECTURES

Page Lecturer: Jöel Bockaert (University Montpellier)

Rapport Lecturer: Dennis Murphy (NIMH, Bethesda)

SCIENTIFIC PROGRAMME

. Maternal, epigenetic and genetic infl uences in seroton- ergic development and predisposition to mental illness

. Serotonin and the GI tract . Serotonin mechanisms in the pathophysiology and treatment of clinical depression

. Genetic, pharmacological and environmental infl uences on serotonergic regulation of mood and anxiety

. Recent important advances in understanding serotonergic hallucinogenic effects and mechanisms

. Serotonergic approaches to novel antipsychotic drugs 16

. How to adapt: Stories from the life of the 5-HT2C receptor . Cardiac serotonin receptors – new roles in cardiac physiology and pathophysiology

. Serotonin and development: New insights into an old molecule

. Tryptophan hydroxylase 2: from biochemistry to behaviour

. Modelling mental illness using serotonin receptor knockout mice

. Modulation of serontonergic function in schizophrenia can improve cognitive function: fact or fi ction

. Novel aspects of serotonergic signalling

. Biology and genetics of the 5-HT transporter

. 5-HT Imaging in health and disease

. The vasculature and 5-HT receptors and systems All titles are provisional and may be subject to change before the fi nal Congress programme is published. Please visit the Congress website for the most up-to-date programme.

Congress Secretariat: GENERAL EPHAR 2008 Congress INFORMATION BPS Offi ce 16 Angel Gate City Road London EC1V 2PT tel: +44 (0)20 7417 0111/7239 0188 fax: +44 (0)20 7417 0114 email: [email protected] http://www.ephar2008.org

POSTER PRESENTATIONS AND ORAL COMMUNICATIONS There will be a full poster session and parallel oral communications on each of the 4 days of the science programme (Monday 14 July to Thursday 17 July inclusive). In addition, two abstracts will be selected and invited for presentation within each symposium.

SUBMISSION OF ABSTRACTS Abstracts can be submitted online via the Congress website. To submit an abstract, all authors must fi rst create a user name and password in order to proceed with a submission. On completing this, authors will receive an email providing a unique log in and a direct link to the 17 abstract submission system. Full abstract submission guidelines are provided on the website.

Deadline for submission of abstracts: 20th March 2008.

VENUE Manchester is a city steeped in history, with a rich culture, and a cosmopolitan outlook. This vibrant modern metropolis, dating back to Roman times, came to prominence in the Victorian era. Over the last fi fteen years it has become one of the most exciting and interesting destinations in the UK. New and innovative multi-million pound developments have transformed vast areas of Manchester to provide top class entertainment complexes and public open spaces.

The EPHAR 2008 Congress will be held at University Place, a brand new conference venue on busy Oxford Road, close to the city centre. The ultramodern building will include the largest lecture theatre in Manchester, an 1100-seat auditorium, which can be divided into 600 and 300-seat theatres to offer maximum fl exibility.

FEES

The registration fee will include access to all scientifi c sessions, the trade exhibition, a ticket to the Welcome Reception on Sunday evening (there is a limited number of tickets, which will be available on a fi rst-come, fi rst served basis), refreshments, and lunch.

Early bird Full Registration £100.00 (by 20th March 2008) Late Full Registration £175.00 (by 7th July 2008) On-site Full Registration £275.00

Early bird Student Registration £50.00 (by 20th March 2008) Late Student Registration £90.00 (by 7th July 2008) On-site Student Registration £125.00

18 Serotonin Club Satellite Meeting Fees

Early Bird Registration £500 (Late registration, 20th March - 15th May) £550 Symposium Speaker £250 Speaker/Chair plus social attendee all inclusive registration (twin room) £600 Social attendee (opening reception and offi cial dinner only) £80 Registration only (not accommodation required) £400

The Serotonin Club Satellite Meeting registration fee will include access to all scientifi c sessions, 3 nights accommodation in a bedroom with en-suite facilities, and all meals. Please note a limited number of twin rooms are available for allocation to speakers/chairs accompanied by a partner. A list of suitable Hotel and Bed & Breakfast accommodation for others bringing partners and families will soon be made available on the Serotonin Club website www.serotoninclub.org

Payment Applications both for EPHAR 2008 and the Serotonin Club Satellite must be made online and payment by credit or debit card will be required before registration can be confi rmed. All major credit/debit cards are accepted via our secure site including American Express, MasterCard, Visa and Maestro and no card fees will be charged.

Registration All delegates must register online in advance to guarantee a place at the Congress. Online registrations for both EPHAR 2008 and the Serotonin Club will open via the Congress website in February 2008. The deadline for early bird registration is 20th March 2008. Online registration for both meetings will close on 7th July 2008; after this the on-site registration fee will apply. If you haveany special requirements or cannot use the online registration process, please email meetings@bps. ac.uk

Refunds In the event of cancellation, refunds cannot be made after 21st March 2008.

19 Bursaries The British Pharmacological Society is underwriting bursaries for delegates attending EPHAR 2008 to assist with travel, accommodation, sustenance and registration expenses. To apply for a bursary, you will need your EPHAR 2008 Abstract Reference Number and you will also need to complete and submit an online Bursary Application Form, which can be found at www.ephar2008.org

Students who have been members of the British Pharmacological Society for one year and are making communications (oral or poster) at EPHAR 2008 may also be eligible to apply for a fi nancial grant from the Society’s Bain Fund. Full details of the Bain Fund can be obtained at www.bps.ac.uk/About BPS/Study Awards

Bursary Eligibility: Important notes 1. To be eligible for a Bursary, you MUST a) be the fi rst and presenting author and b) have submitted an abstract for inclusion in the meeting. Applications for Bursaries will not be accepted unless presenting authors have submitted their abstract online. The deadline for abstract submission is 20th March 2008.

2. Preference will be given to younger applicants (PhD or equivalent students and researchers of up to fi ve years postdoctoral or post-MD status), although applications from established investigators will also be considered.

3. The Bursary Awards Committee will consider awarding up to Forty Special Bursaries covering the full cost of attendance at EPHAR 2008 to applicants whose abstracts are selected for inclusion in the Twenty Congress Symposia (Two abstracts per Symposium – see Scientifi c Programme for Symposium details). If you are selected for one of these Special Bursaries, the Bursary Awards Committee will contact presenting authors direct.

4. The deadline for Bursary applications is 20th March 2008. All Bursary applications will be acknowledged immediately. If your application is successful you will be notifi ed of the amount awarded by email by 4th April 2008.

5. Bursary payments will only be made at the Congress in Manchester. Bursary cheques will be provided in Pounds Sterling, Euros or United States Dollars and encashment facilities at a local bank will be provided for those cheques issued in Pounds Sterling. 20 Trade Exhibition There will be a scientifi c trade exhibition in University Place, and refreshments and posters will be located alongside the exhibition. For further information about the exhibition or sponsorship opportunities please email: [email protected]

Climate British weather is unpredictable and the North is usually slightly cooler. Please be prepared for the possibility of cool and showery weather.

Accommodation The City is a major centre for international conferences and there is a wide variety of accommodation available in and around Manchester to suit every budget. Delegates are asked to make their own arrangements via the Accommodation Bureau, which will be available via the Congress website from January 2008. Accommodation is not included in the registration fee.

Accommodation Description Approximate Rate* Weston Hall, Student single room £45 per night Sackville Street with en-suite facilities Days Hotel, 3 star hotel single room £72.50 per Sackville Street night Thistle Hotel, 3 star £89 per night Portland Street superior hotel single room Palace 4 star hotel (a historical £98 per night Hotel, grade II for single Oxford Street listed building). All occupancy rooms are double MacDonald 4 star hotel (newly £120 per Hotel, developed, the hotel night for London Road boasts a striking single exterior, with glass occupancy frontage)

* At the time of printing; rates are not confi rmed.

21