Ben Sykes Senior Programme Manager (Coordinator) UK National Stem Cell Network (UKNSCN)

1. Ethical & Legal Challenges to SC Research, 7 December 2007The UK National Stem Cell Network – A Progress Report Ben Sykes Senior Programme Manager (Coordinator) UK National Stem Cell Network (UKNSCN)

2. UK Government Stem Cell Initiative(Pattison Report) The Government should allocate additional funding to establish The UK Stem Cell Cooperative, to maximise the cross-fertilisation between those involved in the sub-disciplines of UK stem cell research. • Pattison Report (published December 2005) Recommendation 10 • mature science base, but……. • fragmentation of UK research • insufficient cross-disciplinary research • existing regional stem cell networks • national (UK-wide) focus required • Lead organisation: BBSRC – Biotechnology & Biological Sciences Research Council • Six-week on-line consultation closed end May 2006 • 3 models of operation proposed: • Cooperative based at the UK Research Councils with internationally-recognised director • Cooperative based within a regional stem cell network • Cooperative based in a new Scientific Society

3. Community Consultation 5 July 2006 • Chair & Facilitator: Lord Naren Patel of Dunkeld • 75 delegates attended • No consensus on proposed models • Patel interim proposal: establish Steering Committee with independent Chair • 2 years in first instance, hosted by Research Councils • possible relocation and evolution of activities thereafter • title to be adopted: UK National Stem Cell Network • community to nominate Chair and members Life affords no higher pleasure than that of surmounting difficulties, passing from one step of success to another, forming new wishes and seeing them gratified Dr Samuel Johnson, 1709-1784 ENGLISH LEXICOGRAPHER & CRITIC

4. Agreed Network Role • coordination of existing activities through sharing of expertise and technology • national focal point for communication with the media and the public • national focal point for interaction with overseas researchers • “national voice” to policymakers and regulators • facilitation of interactions to promote uptake and use of stem cells by the scientific, business and medical communities, particularly in the areas of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine • financially accountable to the UK Stem Cell Funders’ Forum and Cross-Council Stem Cells Coordination Committee

5. What the Network Will Not Do…. • sponsor scientific research • broker exploitation activities • replace or replicate the existing activities of the regional networks

6. Specific Activities (I) • establish Network Steering Committee and hold quarterly meetings in the first year • prepare strategy and action plan • establish a website with an appropriate URL (non-Research Council affiliated) • organise a formal launch event • publish a quarterly newsletter

7. Specific Activities (II) • circulate a regular events e-bulletin • establish a UKNSCN annual science meeting • compile a website database of Government-funded and charity-funded stem cell research • recruit contacts for the Network E-mail correspondence list – currently approaching 500 • secure the hosting of ISSCR2009 in the UK • provide annual reports to the UK Stem Cell Funders’ Forum and Cross-Council Stem Cells Coordination Committee

8. Criteria for Appointment of Steering Committee Primary • frequency of nomination by community • representation of experts in all stem cell types Secondary • geographic representation • gender representation

9. Network Steering Committee Chair: Lord Naren Patel of Dunkeld Members (8): Prof Sir Martin Evans FRS, Cardiff [animal models] Prof Jon Frampton, Birmingham [human adult stem cells] Dr Chris Mason FRCS, UCL [stem cell bioprocessing] Prof Roger Pedersen, Cambridge [human ES cells] Prof Dame Julia Polak FRS, Imperial [translational research] Prof Brian Salter, UEA [ethics, regulation & social science] Prof Michael Whitaker FIBiol, Newcastle [basic cell biology] Mr Hugh Ilyine, Stem Cell Sciences Ltd [industry user]

10. Funding • Minimum £150k per annum for three years: • Biotechnology & Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC): £50kpa • Medical Research Council (MRC): £50kpa • Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC): £25kpa • Economic & Social Research Council (ESRC): £25kpa • Beyond 2009 – possibility of further Government funding through Spending Review/fundraising Staff + Annual Meeting: £100kpa Other Network activities: £50kpa

11. Network Evaluation • independent consultation to canvass community views • identify strengths and weaknesses of existing model and location • December 2008 community consultation to discuss future Network operation • January-March 2009 – implement agreed plans

12. Outputs to Date..... • October 2006: secretariat established (initially at UK Research Councils in Swindon, UK) • November 2006: Steering Committee appointed – all first choice nominees agreed to serve (first press release) • December 2006: decision to hold ISSCR2009 in London at ExCel Centre, 9-11 July – UKNSCN coordinated bid, securing over £500k funding (second press release) • April 2007: website launched: http://www.uknscn.org • 18 April 2007: Ministerial launch event (third press release) • 3 May 2007: House of Lords Stem Cell Debate • 17-20 June 2007: ISSCR2007 Exhibition, Cairns, Australia • July 2007: Notice of first annual science meeting – 9-11th April 2008, Edinburgh Conference Centre at Heriot-Watt University (300-400 delegates) (fourth press release) • November 2007: publication of first UKNSCN newsletter (imminent)

13. Contact Information Senior Programme Manager: uksa@uknscn.org Press Officer: ukpo@uknscn.org