Future Meetings

Sir Francis Avery Jones BSG Research Award 2009

Applications are invited by the Education Committee of the British Society of Gastroenterology who will recommend to Council the recipient of the 2009 Award. Applications should include:

  1. A manuscript (2 A4 pages ONLY) describing the work conducted.
  2. A bibliography of relevant personal publications.
  3. An outline of the proposed content of the lecture, including title.
  4. A written statement confirming that all or a substantial part of the work has been personally conducted in the UK or Eire.

Entrants must be 40 years or less on 31 December 2008 but need not be a member of the Society. The recipient will be required to deliver a 30 minute lecture at the annual meeting of the Society in Glasgow in March 2009. Applications should be composed electronically in Word or Rich Text format and emailed as an attachment to the BSG Office by 31st December 2008.

ASNEMGE Young Investigators

The Young Investigators Compendium was recently published on the ASNEMGE homepage. The research compendium contains research and publication guidelines for young investigators in the field of Gastroenterology and connected disciplines, but will also be useful for those with other fields of interest. The compendium can be downloaded from:

This manual will be continuously updated following suggestions by users, authors, and any others being interested in postgraduate teaching of Young Investigators in Gastroenterology and Hepatology.

ASNEMGE Workshops

Young Investigator Meetings 2007/8:

  • One Day Workshop (UEGW Vienna), October 19, 2008 – Vienna, Austria

Call for Research Workshop Proposals

The BSG Research Committee welcomes proposals for small, focused Research Workshops in any area of Gastroenterology. Please e-mail the Research Committee on research@bsg.org.uk (using header BSG Research Committee) with your proposal (minimum requirement is a title, summary of areas to be covered and preliminary speaker and delegate list).

The following document contains guidelines for the preliminary organisation of Research Workshops:

Previous Research Meetings

The Immune Basis of Liver Disease - A BSG Research Workshop

A workshop on liver immunology was held at the University of Birmingham on 9th and 10th June 2008 organised by David Adams on behalf of the Research Committee.

The aim was to produce an interactive workshop covering basic immunology related to the liver through to animal models of liver disease and human disease pathogenesis. On these terms all agreed the workshop was a success with vigorous discussion and several new collaborations formed during the two days. After a thought-provoking introduction from Cliona O’Farrelly covering the evolution of the hepatic immune system and how our concepts of liver immunology have changed over the last decade the first session covered aspects of innate immunity. The role of intrahepatic γδ T cells in regulating immune responses to pathogens was covered by Simon Carding and Salim Khakoo outlined the role of NK cells in liver injury and in hepatitis C infection. Andy Stagg provided an update on human dendritic cell biology and the critical role played by the microenvironment and microflora in shaping immune responses and John Iredale reported the complex roles played by macrophages in liver inflammation both in driving liver damage and promoting tissue repair. David Adams suggested that fibroblasts regulate lymphocyte recruitment to the liver thereby directly linking fibrosis and inflammation. The first session of the second day focussed on antigen presentation in the liver. Percy Knolle presented new data on the ability of sinsuoidal endothelial cells and hepatocytes to induce immune tolerance and the role of specific molecules such as B7-H1 in these processes and Angus Thomson discussed the nature and function of intrahepatic dendritic cells and the role played by pathogens, cytokines and adapter molecules such as DAP-12 and STAT-3 in their maturation and function. Wing-Kin Syn presented novel data on the role of the hedgehog pathway in regulating liver regeneration through effects on NKT cell activation and function and Bertus Eksteen discussed links between the mucosal immune system and the liver and how dysregulation of this can lead to uncontrolled inflammation in the liver.

Paul Klenerman started a session on viral hepatitis by reporting that the phenotype of antigen-specific T cell may predict outcome in hepatitis C infection; he described a novel subset of HCV-associated lymphocytes that express CD161 and the chemokine receptor CXCR6. Dermot Kelleher described immune escape in the Irish cohort of HCV-infected mothers and then went onto to show how HCV viral proteins can modulate lymphocyte migration through PKCβ mediated effects on integrin activation and chemokine secretion. Mala Maini reported that Bim can mediate the deletion of antigen-specific T cells in patients who fail to clear HBV and that a lack of arginine leads to low levels of TCRζ after T cell activation and a failed effector response.

In a session covering disease pathogenesis Mark Thurz reported that polymorphisms and SNPs in immune associated genes may contribute to the outcome of viral hepatitis and that mutations in genes associated with coagulation are associated with accelerated fibrosis. Diego Vergani reviewed current understanding of autoantigens in autoimmune hepatitis and showed how defective regulatory T cell function contributes to disease development. David Jones reviewed autoantigens and trigger factors in PBC and presented data on novel animal models that may elucidate pathogenesis. Giesa Tiegs discussed the pathogenesis of liver injury in murine concanavalin hepatitis and showed how the balance between regulatory and effector pathways is critical in determining outcome. John Kirby discussed how TGFβ and SMAD signalling can drive inflammation-induced fibrogenesis by the process of epithelial to mesenchymal transition. Finally Kevin Maloy presented exciting new data on the interactions between the Th17 associated cytokines IL22 and IL23 and the generation of regulatory T cells and Th17 inflammation.

All agreed that the workshop had been a success and that the informal and interactive nature had been highly conducive in promoting new collaborations and in allowing trainees to interact with leaders in the field. There was a strong opinion that this format should be repeated in the future.

Professor David Adams

November 2006: 'Pancreatitis and Calcium Signalling'

This widely advertised BSG/AGA research workshop was held at the Liverpool Medical Institution from 12-14th November 2006, with support from the Foundation for Digestive Health and Nutrition, Gastroenterology Research Group, Physiological Society and Solvay Healthcare. Still bereft of effective, specific therapy, pancreatitis was the sole focus for 50 hugely supportive delegates plus UK as well as USA trainees at our first ever international meeting devoting two whole days to the latest fundamental bioscience in the field, the flowering of which should lead to therapeutic fruit.

Within the aura of the semicircular tiered and galleried auditorium of 1837 in the Grade II* listed Liverpool Medical Institution we covered physiological and pathological calcium signalling, interacting signalling mechanisms, premature digestive enzyme activation, NF kappa B, cytokines, immune mechanisms, mitochondrial injury and cell death pathways.

Much of the most relevant and very best research was presented by Michael Duchen (UCL), Oleg Gerasimenko (Liverpool), Anna Gukovskaya (UCLA), Ilya Gukovsky (UCLA), Andrew Halestrap (Bristol), Markus Lerch (Griefswald), Pierluigi Nicotera (Leicester), Anant Parekh (Oxford), Rosario Rizzuto (Ferrara), Miklos Sahin-Toth (Boston), Ashok Saluja (Minneapolis), Alexei Tepikin (Liverpool) and Pedro Verdugo (Washington). Shmuel Muallem (Texas) challenged everyone in the Physiological Society’s Lecture – and enlivened many discussions - on how close we might be to solving pancreatitis. Stephen Pandol (UCLA) and Ole Petersen (Liverpool) overviewed much important work and gave excellent co-direction to the whole symposium. The renaissance ambience was realised in the palazzo style of the otherwise pleasantly minimalist Hope Street Hotel – ideally named for new treatments and ideally sited for walking in the city’s cultural quarter between two grand cathedrals – and in Paul Askew’s London Carriage Works, Liverpool’s top restaurant (Good Food Guide 2006). Don’t you wish you had chosen not to wait until Liverpool is European Capital of Culture in 2008 but had come to the most enjoyable meeting on pancreatitis to date!

Professor Robert Sutton

June 2005: 'Epithelial Differentiation in the Gastrointestinal Tract'

A successful BSG Research Workshop on Epithelial Differentiation in the Gastrointestinal Tract was hosted at Imperial College London, St Mary's Campus, on 15th June 2005. The workshop, coordinated by Drs Bryan Warren and Marjorie Walker covered a wide spectrum of topics on stem cells and metaplasia. Differentiation of intestinal cells and the role of stem cells were covered by Professor Nicholas Wright, Bart's and the London, with Dr Jason Mills, Washington University School of Medicine. Cell-cell interaction and cell-matrix interactions were discussed by Dr Peter Clark from Imperial College, London and Dr Karl Matter, University College London. Afternoon sessions included a discussion on metaplasia in the gut and other organs Dr Rebecca Harrison, Leicester and Professor Andrea Varro, University of Liverpool, Dr Karen Oein, CRUK, Glasgow talked on the role of Gastrokine 1 in mucosal protection. Therapeutic manipulation of metaplasia was discussed by Professor Jan Jankowski. Leicester. The role of CDX was then explored by Dr Jonathan Quinlan, University of Bath. A lively general discussion of proceeding was held and continued over dinner. All agreed this was a good forum for research discussions and future links were forged.

June 2004: 'Immune-epithelial interactions in the GI tract'

This Workshop at Trinity College Dublin in June brought together scientists working in basic and applied aspects of GI immunity to focus on key questions relating to the cross-talk between cells of the immune system and the epithelium.

The meeting was introduced with an overview of GI immunity by Prof Fergus Shanahan, followed by considerable discussion of the role of transforming growth factor and its latency associated peptide, both at a basic molecular level and in terms of its role in the regulation of mucosal immunity with contributions from Profs Marshall, Mills and MacDonald. Dr Karl Matter elegantly described the generic functions of epithelial barriers and Dr Ana Terres outlined the mechanisms whereby infectious agents can subvert barrier function to facilitate invasion. Prof Luke O’Neill provided a keynote talk on the functioning of innate immunity at the mucosal barrier. This presentation encompassed a major discussion on the role of members of the toll family and their downstream adaptors, MYD88 and MAL-TIRAP in modulating mucosal immunity and of the implications for the pathogenesis of human IBD, where mutations in the innate immune pathway, specifically in NOD2 gene, are associated with the development of Crohn’s disease. Profs Carding and Mahida further detailed the role of innate immunity in mucosal defensive barriers. Further sessions focused on how the mucosal immune response was organised and in particular how specific cellular types hold to the epithelium were distributed in specific locations and developed a functional capacity. Prof Hugh Miller related the function of mucosal mast cells to modulation of latent TGFb through the molecule avb6. In addition, he discussed further the role of b6 integrin in the regulation of GI immunity and discussed how this function might be regulated by a TGFb. Dr Dominique Kaiserlian, Dr John Klein and Prof Cliona O’Farrelly focused on the role of the dendritic cells, IELs and NK cells respectively in the regulation of mucosal immunity and Dr Holm Uhlig discussed his fascinating studies on the role of regulatory T cells in the GI tract and their potential involvement in mucosal inflammation. Lastly Prof Dermot Kelleher, Dr Joanne Pennock, and Dr Andrew Stagg outlined the principles underlying their research in migration and development of specific cell populations in the gut.

Areas of thematic interest, which were identified for further study, included the specific role of transforming growth factor activation in the regulation of mucosal immunity, the innate immune system and actors regulating the organisation and compartmentalisation of the gut immune system.

October 2002: 'Cellular signalling mechanisms as targets for chemoprevention of gastrointestinal malignancy'

On behalf of the BSG Research Committee, Drs Mark Hull and Jean Crabtree recently organised a second BSG Research Workshop at the Royal Society of Medicine, London on 11 October 2002. Twenty-seven delegates contributed to a successful series of presentations and informal round table discussions on diverse aspects of the biology of GI epithelia pertaining to cancer chemoprevention therapy. As well as established researchers from the UK, the delegate list included several speakers from abroad including Drs Rick Peek and Rifat Pamucku (representing the Gastroenterology Research G roup of the AGA) and Professor Michael Naumann (Magdeburg, Germany). Several TiGs delegates, who had previously had little exposure to research,were also able to attend.

The morning sessions covered general aspects of GI cancer research techniques, including animal models and in vivo microscopy, followed by an exploration of the mechanistic links between chronic inflammation and malignant change throughout the GI tract. Topics covered in the afternoon included important second messenger signalling pathways, the potential for dietary components to inhibit cell signalling and the mechanisms of action of NSAIDs.The meeting concluded with an excellent overview by Professor Alex Markham (Leeds). In the evening, delegates tested the effects (preventative or otherwise) of imbibing the red grape constituent resveratrol, whilst continuing informal discussion in a nearby Italian restaurant.

June 2001: The John Calam BSG Research Symposium - 'The interface between H. pylori and the gastric epithelium: molecular cross-talk'

The research committee recently sponsored a workshop entitled ‘The interface between H. pylori and the gastric epithelium: molecular cross-talk’, at the Royal Society of Medicine.

The purpose of BSG workshops is to stimulate research and collaboration in specific areas by involving workers from outside gastroenterology, and to provide a forum where young researchers can meet established workers. The first such workshop, described here, was named in honour of John Calam, Professor of gastroenterology at the Hammersmith Hospital. John was ill at the time, and has subsequently died. He would have been a major contributor.

The workshop was split into two main sections: (a) how H. pylori adapts and survives at the gastric epithelial cell surface and (b) the effect of H. pylori on epithelial cells. In the morning, Gordon Dougan (London) showed how comparison of the H. pylori genome with genomes of enteric bacteria provided insights into H. pylori lifestyle and how poor bacterial adaption to specific human hosts could result in disease. Dave Kelly (Sheffield) talked about the microaerophilic nature of H. pylori, and how specific H. pylori enzymes protected it against oxidative stress induced by inflammation. Kim Hardie (Nottingham) discussed quorum sensing – how bacteria talk to each other – and provided early evidence for such a system in H. pylori.Tony Moran (Galway) discussed the human-like blood group antigens expressed on the surface of H. pylori and their possible role in survival and pathogenesis. John Atherton (Nottingham) talked about recent research on the virulence factors VacA and CagA and how they induced cellular changes and disease. Nigel Saunders (Oxford) discussed how H. pylori had acquired many genes from foreign sources, largely other bacteria, and suggested that these genes were often important in virulence. Finally, Brendan Wren (London) discussed the Campylobacter jejuni genome project, and compared the closely-related C. jejuni and H. pylori genomes. He showed that the essential biology of the two bacteria was similar, but that they had evolved divergently to fit their different ecological niches.

After lunch, we moved to the epithelial response. Jean Crabtree (Leeds) showed the power of human cDNA array analysis in defining global epithelial responses to H. pylori. Marguerite Clyne (Dublin) discussed the H. pylori–induced signalling changes in primary epithelial cells and demonstrated the importance of bacterial adherence in inducing these changes. Steven Moss (Brown University, Providence) showed that dysregulation of epithelial cell apoptosis by H. pylori led to hyperproliferation and suggested how this could lead to carcinogenesis.Alastair Watson (Liverpool) described how COX2 inhibition in vivo can prevent colonic cancer growth and showed how in vitro experiments, which often use artificial conditions, can be misleading. Mark Hull (Leeds) presented data on different expression patterns of COX2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase in large bowel neoplasia, and discussed the relevance of this to the stomach. Graham Dockray (Liverpool) described how gastrin upregulates various paracrine messengers and hence regulates epithelial organisation, and how dysregulation of this system might lead to gastric atrophy. Finally, Emad El-Omar (Aberdeen) presented his work on cytokine polymorphisms and gastric cancer, and discussed the likely mechanism of increased inflammation leading to gastric hypochlorhydria and atrophy. The meeting was a great success in achieving its stated aims.

 

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