Oct 29 2009
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Deafness: Emerging Strategies for a Cure (Stefan Heller, Stanford University)
Oct 20 2009
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The Stem Cell Charter
The Stem Cell Charter affirms that,
“[e]njoyment of the highest attainable state of health is one of the fundamental rights of every human being without distinction of race, religion, political belief, economic or social condition.” — WHO, Constitution (1946)
To that end, the Stem Cell Charter upholds the following principles:
- Responsibility to maintain the highest level of scientific quality, safety and ethical probity
- Protection of citizens from harm and the safeguarding of the public trust and values
- Intellectual Freedom to exchange ideas in the spirit of international collaboration
- Transparency through the disclosure of results and of possible conflicts of interest
- Integrity in the promotion and advancement of stem cell research and therapy for the betterment of the welfare of all human beings.
Oct 14 2009
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“ Dr. Venkatraman got a first degree in physics, switched to biology and won the Nobel prize in chemistry. Cutting Edge lies at the interface.
Oct 13 2009
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“ At present feeding a patient hamburgers is a lot cheaper than feeding cells growth media
The case for ectopic tissue growth.
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“ There’s no point in making a square heart.
PhD quote of the day from Prof. Alicia El Haj.
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“ Say what you’re going to do… and do it… again and again and again… in a controlled environment
The challenge of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)
Oct 01 2009
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PhD survival guide
Patrick Tomlin, writing in The Guardian, provides the five essential things any new doctoral student needs to know:
Adopt the correct attitude towards undergraduates. This is a complicated mixture of pity, disdain, condescension, benevolent indulgence and complete indifference. Don’t try to be like them, in any way. Don’t attempt to talk to them about the new Arctic Killers or Snow Monkeys song. The main point is that, at all times, you should mask your seething envy of their youth, freedom, good looks and future options.
Make an effort to get to know the non-academic staff and existing doctoral students on your programme. They’re the ones who know how things really work in the department.
Presumably, having got on to a PhD programme, you’re pretty bright. Now, come on, don’t be bashful, you are. But you have to get used to the fact that the other people around you now are likely to be as clever as, if not - gasp - cleverer than you. This realisation hit me about four weeks into term, during a seminar fairly closely related to my topic. Non-specialists who appeared to be about 12 were asking insightful and important questions. My sole contribution was to clarify whether something in the handout was a typo. It wasn’t. Get over it. Get used to being a small fish and realise that being around so many other people interested in the same stuff as you, and at the same level, is a fantastic resource.
If you’re moving somewhere where you don’t know anyone, try to make friends with people other than those in your department. Never-ending talk about your area and thesis will drive you insane.
Try to treat the PhD as a job. Hopefully, that way you will get plenty done without letting your research pervade every aspect and minute of your life. There’s no employer peeking over your shoulder or tapping a watch when you come in late, but you must develop an internal boss. If you struggle to do this, acquire a partner who can make a morning cup of tea both a gesture of love and a veiled threat. My steaming brew always seems to be saying to me: “I love you. Oh, and I’m getting up to go to work now, and I very strongly suggest you do the same.” ·
Sep 20 2009
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“ Well, these cells aren’t going to divide themselves…oh wait, they will! I mean half won’t move into a new culture dish w/out my help.
