Archived Newsletters

AUSTRALIAN SOCIETY FOR BIOPHYSICS

Newsletter 2002/4

ASB News

Welcome to the fourth ASB Newlsetter for 2002.

The most important issue relevant to the Society is our 2002 conference. A note from Paul Gooley, chair of the ASB 2002 Organising Committee is included below. You should have received the call for registration and abstracts in an email sent on July 25th.

Our Treasurer, Frances Separovic, has circulated membership renewal notices to those whose membership fees are due now. If you haven't already done so, please get back to her in the near future. Or, if you are a a recipient of this newsletter and not a member of ASB but would like to join, please contact Frances Separovic (fs@unimelb.edu.au). She'll be delighted to sign you up.

1. ASB 2002 Conference

The 2002 Annual Conference will be held at the University of Melbourne in late November (Friday-Saturday, November 29-30th). It will follow the Australian Health & Medical Research Congress, which runs November 25-29th (http://www.asnevents.net.au/congress/).

 We have a number of themes for our conference: Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics, Fluorescence, Bionanotechnology, Photosynthesis (Real and Artificial), Biomaterials, Protein Folding, and Ion Channels and Membranes. Plenary speakers will be Art Palmer (Columbia) and Frank Caruso (Max Planck).

 We now invite submission of abstracts for orals and posters. Please note the closing date for abstracts is October 1st. The closing date for registration is November 1st. Details regarding registration, accommodation and abstract submission are in the attachments emailed a few weeks ago. Or you can download them from the ASB website: www.anatomy.usyd.edu.au/ASB/

2. Bob Robertson Medal

2002 will see the inauguration of an invited lecture at our Annual Conference in honour of Sir Rutherford (Bob) Robertson's contribution to biophysics in Australia, as well as to Australian science generally. Awardees will be presented with a medal and a cheque at the Annual Conference and will present a lecture at that conference.
Nominations have now closed and are being considered by a selection committee.

3. ASB 2004 in Perth?

If you didn't get around to contacting Boris Martinac about what you'd like to see for the 2004 conference, here's a reminder:
Preparations for the ComBio 2004 in Perth have started, with the formation of the local Organizing Committee. Local members of the ASBMB and ASB discussed the possibilities of the ASB 2004 Meeting becoming a part of the ComBio. It was suggested that the ASB be a part of ComBio, similar to what the ASBMB, ANZSCDBI and ASPP/ASPS did in the past, i.e. have a combined conference (combined sessions and topics), but keep the individual society events separate (e.g. conference dinner, award ceremonies, poster sessions, annual meeting). From a scientific standpoint it would be of advantage to be a part of ComBio as opposed to running as a satellite as was done in the past. Taking into account, however, that the cost could be a significant factor in making a decision of being part of ComBio, a possible downside could be if the registration for ComBio were too much for the ASB members who were not attracted to the rest of ComBio. ASB members are asked to express their opinions and comment on their preference (i.e. being part of ComBio or not) for the ASB Meeting in 2004 in Perth. Boris' full contact details are at the end of this newsletter. His email is bmartinac@receptor.pharm.uwa.edu.au

Meeting Reports & Other News

Contributions welcome!

Upcoming Events

1. XXth ICMRBS Conference

The 20th International Conference on Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems will be held at the Fairmount Royal York, Toronto, Canada, August 25-30th. Although the deadline for abstract submission has passed, registrations will be accepted up to the date of the conference.
Contact:
XXth ICMRBS Conference,
1201 Don Diego Avenue,
Santa Fe, NM 87505
Tel: (505) 989-4735
Fax: (505) 989-1073
office@ICMRBS.org
Web site: www.ICMRBS.org

2. ComBio2002

29 September - 3 October 2002, Darling Harbour, Sydney For further information visit : www.asbmb.org.au/combio2002
On-line registration and abstract submission are now available via the website. The abstract deadline was Friday, July 5th.

3. Conference in Europe

BBS meeting "Recent innovations in biological solid state NMR" in Oxford, September 2 -3 2002 (http://www2.bioch.ox.ac.uk/~eliz/NMR/index.html)

4. The Metabolic Regulation of Cell Hydration in Norm and Pathology

UNSESCO Chair in Life Sciences - Life Sciences International Educational Center in October 2002, Yerevan, Republic of Armenia.
More detailed information about UNESCO Chair in Life Sciences can be found at homepage: www.sci.am/~biophys/biomed
Please contact:
Prof. Sinerik Ayrapetyan, President
UNESCO Chair in Life Sciences - Life Sciences
International Educational Center
Avan - Acharian St. 31,
375040 Yerevan,
Republic of Armenia
Tel/Fax: 3741 624 170.
E-mail: biophys@ipia.sci.am

5. 6th International Congress of Comparative Physiology and Biochemistry

2-7 February 2003. La Trobe University, Mt Buller, Australia
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN
Please use the hyperlink for information on the scientific programme, registration, accommodation and deadlines. www.zoo.latrobe.edu.au/iccpb

6. International Society for Toxinology World Congress

The 14th World Congress on Animal, Plant and Microbial Toxins will be held in Adelaide, September 14-19, 2003. For further information, contact Julian White (toxinaus@wch.sa.gov.au).

Notices & Special Reports

Contributions welcome.

International News

1. We are continuing to explore the possibility of joint meetings with biophysics societies in Asia and Europe.

There will be an Asian regional biophysics conference in 2003 in Taiwan, and we are hoping to have some representation from Australia. We have just received the following information from Chun-Hung Lin (Hans), Secretary-General, The Biophysical Society of Taiwan:
'The Fourth East Asia Biophysics Symposium (EABS) will be held from May 20-23, 2003 in Taipei, Taiwan. On behalf of the Biophysics Society of the Republic of China, I would like to welcome you to participate in this exciting event. The 4th EABS is estimated to attract more than 500 participants, and we plan to have 6 plenary lectures as well as 52 invited talks. We have also invited Prof. Lubert Stryer of Stanford University for the opening lecture. The countries of the invited speakers will not only cover Japan, Korea, Taiwan and China (the original founding countries), but also include other pan-Asian countries such as Singapore, Australia and India. We hope that the symposium will facilitate more cross talks among pan-Asian countries."

2. IUPAB News

I have just received a hard copy of the latest IUPAB News (No. 47, July 2002). Its contents can be viewed at: http://www.iupab.org.
Also received was the Inter-Union Bioinformatics Report, edited by Herman Berendsen. It's also available via the IUPAB website.

FASTS

1. FASTS Newsletter for June.

IN SUMMARY
1. THE PRIME MINISTER AND THE "SECOND LEG"
2. PRIME MINISTER'S SCIENCE COUNCIL
3. NATIONAL RESEARCH PRIORITIES CONSULTATIVE PANEL
4. HIGHER EDUCATION REVIEW
5. WORKSHOPS FOR MEMBER SOCIETIES
6. SCIENCE MEETS PARLIAMENT DAY
7. NEW EDITION OF FASTS' POLICY DOCUMENT
8. STATE GOVENMENTS' GROWING INTEREST IN SCIENCE
9. FASTS' WEB SITE

1. THE PRIME MINISTER AND THE "SECOND LEG"

The $2.9 billion dollar Innovation Statement was launched in January 2001. At the time FASTS welcomed the funding boost as a promising first step.
But it needs far more than $2.9 billion over 5 years to allow Australia to catch up to the average OECD expenditure in science and research.
Recently I wrote to the Prime Minister asking him what his Government was planning to do about the next step, the "second leg" of the Innovation Statement. The letter read in part:
"We are concerned that some elements in your Government may regard science and technology as a job that was completed with the announcement of "Backing Australia's Ability". Our concern was heightened when you outlined the priorities for your Government in a speech to the Liberal Party Federal Council on 13 April, and science and technology was not among them."
The Prime Minister has responded, saying that his Government is still monitoring the outcomes of the initiatives announced in 2001. He goes on to say:
"It would, however, be premature for PMSEIC to consider a 'second stage' package of spending measures before the current initiatives have been implemented fully and evaluated."
FASTS will continue to press for a proper national investment in science and research. You can read the full text of both letters on our web site: www.fasts.org

2. PRIME MINISTER'S SCIENCE COUNCIL

The first full PMSEIC this year was held on May 31, beginning with a dinner hosted by the Prime Minister. Although proceedings of PMSEIC and its Standing Committee are confidential, the text of three key presentations will be shortly available on the web.
The first dealt with sustainable production, pointing to the increasing need for a triple bottom line reporting within the corporate sector, and requirements by major importers of foods to have guarantees from their suppliers that sustainable production methods have been used. The Government has been asked to explore how such matters can most appropriately be handled.
The second was on biodiversity and questioned whether current government policies were coordinated in this regard; and the third dealt with aquaculture and the export opportunities that this offered.
Whilst all three presentations looked at economic considerations as well as scientific ones, there was the overriding theme that good science would be necessary for these areas to be properly addressed.
The Council was also briefed on progress with Backing Australia's Ability and on the Higher Education Review and the National Research Priorities processes.

3. NATIONAL RESEARCH PRIORITIES CONSULTATIVE PANEL

The Government is determined to maximise the return to Australia of our research efforts, by concentrating research in areas where we have a competitive advantage and putting new efforts into areas of weakness where we should have a stronger presence. FASTS supports this view.
The practicalities are interesting. I am a member of an eight-person consultative panel, along with FASTS' Board Member Melissa Little (both of us serving in a personal capacity). The Panel is chaired by Chief Scientist Robin Batterham. We have been split into two groups, with each conducting consultative meetings throughout Australia (dates and times are on the FASTS' web site).
There are two stages of the process, and two important dates for submissions:
a. determining the framework for setting national research priorities (submissions close 28 June)
b. views on what these priorities are (submissions close 9 August)
The Government intends to have priorities in place for the 2003 Federal Budget.
There appears to be common acceptance that it is appropriate for the Government to set national research priorities and that these should be both thematic and inspirational and should not direct funding to the exclusion of other promising areas of good science.
In another part of the process, Science Minister Peter McGauran consulted FASTS directly. He hosted a dinner at Parliament House for 8 members of the FASTS' Board and Executive, to discuss informally these two matters

4. HIGHER EDUCATION REVIEW

I am a member of the Higher Education Review Reference Group. The first meeting in May was primarily to discuss the process to be adopted, and to offer initial comment on Higher Education at the Crossroads.
DEST officers are now preparing five issues papers which will form the basis for national debate on higher education issues.
In the light of these it will be important for FASTS and its Member Societies to make submissions in which the importance of science is highlighted, both in terms of the need to produce scientists and mathematicians and for universities to participate fully in the national research effort.
I would appreciate Member Societies forwarding a copy of any submissions they may make to the FASTS office, so that I can read them personally.
Submissions close on 28 June; and further information about making them is at: http://www.dest.gov.au/crossroads/how_sub.htm

5. WORKSHOPS FOR MEMBER SOCIETIES

I am pleased to announce that our proposal to run capacity-building workshops for our Member Societies has been successful. The first stage will be to establish the content of the workshops. What do you as office-bearers of our Member organisations need to make your jobs easier in these challenging times? How would you like the workshops to be organised?
We have a good broad indication of what our Members think from earlier surveys, but now we need to refine these ideas.
Over the next few days FASTS will be contacting all Presidents of Member Societies, first by email and then by phone, to work out how each Society might take advantage of these workshops.
We expect to offer the first workshops by about September.

6. "SCIENCE MEETS PARLIAMENT" DAY

This event will be on Tuesday-Wednesday 12-13 November in Canberra.
It has several new features this year, including a science-industry-Parliamentarians dinner on Wednesday night, at prestigious Members' Dining Room at Old parliament House.
SmP provides an interesting opportunity to run regular business meetings of your Society, or to hold side meetings like last year's discussions on biotechnology and Nanotechnology. Please discuss these with the FASTS' office.
Full details of the program are on our web site.
Here are some comments from last year's participants:
  • Very well organised. The impact is becoming obvious.
  • The pollies are taking this seriously. I have no doubt that past SmPs have helped put science on the political agenda.
  • A fantastic experience. I'm glad I came and congratulations to FASTS for making it possible!
  • Both MPs were cordial. The level of interest in science was high and unexpected to me
    • And one from an obvious masochist:

    7. NEW EDITION OF FASTS' POLICY DOCUMENT

    The fourth edition of the FASTS' Policy Document will be launched later this year.
    One of the most comprehensive statements on science policy, the document will cover all aspects of science from education, to research training, funding for science and research, and innovation.
    Ken Baldwin is coordinating the production of the document as Chair of the Policy Committee. A draft will be considered by the FASTS' Board next month, and all Member Societies will have the opportunity to comment on the draft before it goes to print.
    Launch of the revised policy is scheduled for mid-September.

    8. STATE GOVENMENTS' GROWING INTEREST IN SCIENCE

    It's wonderful to see State Governments competing over the new synchrotron, instead of those disputes about who will host golf tournaments or the Australian Grand Prix.
    An illustration is the recently-reported size of the State delegations attending the world's biggest Biotechnology Conference in the US - 140 delegates from Victoria and 90 from Queensland, with both delegations headed by the premier.
    SA Premier Mike Rann will also be there, along with delegations from all other States and the Federal Government.
    NSW will not be sending the Premier, and not even the Science Minister - because it stands alone among all States in not having one. This mirrors the low profile of science in the Premier State. The expansive budget NSW announced this month contained many spending initiatives, but little to stimulate the research an innovation community.
    One hopes State efforts will also contribute to a national vision and priority setting.

    9. FASTS' WEB SITE

    Our web site should be a central source of information on science policy. As well as carrying the latest information on events such as "Science meets Parliament" Day, the site also links readers to information on current issues like the research priority-setting exercise.
    All our media releases are there, as well as speeches and feedback from our events at the National Press Club.
    We are putting more resources into the site (at: www.fasts.org) and will soon be upgrading to a new design. Suggestions and comments welcome.

    Chris Fell. President
    20 June 2002

    FASTS contact details:

    Mr Toss Gascoigne
    Executive Director
    Federation of Australian Scientific and Technological Societies
    PO Box 218
    DEAKIN WEST ACT 2600
    AUSTRALIA
    Phone: +61 2 - 6257 2891 (work); +61 2 - 6249 7400 (home)
    Fax: +61 2 - 6257 2897
    Mobile: 0408 704 442
    Email: fasts@anu.edu.au (Toss Gascoigne)
    Web address: http://www.FASTS.org

    Job Vacancies and Notices

    We have implemented a Jobs page on the ASB website (www.anatomy.usyd.edu.au/ASB/Jobs/), which is now being looked after very ably by Adelle Coster (A.Coster@unsw.edu.au).  Please send notices to asb@anatomy.usyd.edu.au.
    Currently the following positions are on the site:
     1. Postdoctoral Research Officer in NMR, Walter & Eliza Hall Institute, Melbourne.
     2. Various positions at the Centre for Biophotonics and Laser Science The University of Queensland, Brisbane.
    Ray Norton
    President, Australian Society for Biophysics.
    August 8, 2002

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    If you have any comments or suggestions about the web page please email asb@anatomy.usyd.edu.au

    Last updated on 9 August 2002