The Society for Endocrinology BES 2010 conference kicks off on Monday 15 March in Manchester. This year promises to be an unmissable event, with a programme packed with workshops, symposia, poster sessions and satellites focusing on all things endocrine. We wanted to highlight some sessions taking place that you might find of particular interest. Please be aware of the early start on Monday morning so ensure you plan your journey to arrive in plenty of time. Registration opens at 09:00hrs.

Pharmaceutical Satellites - Satellite sessions flyer

Otsuka Satellite: Vaptans – a new therapy in action. The Otsuka sponsored satellite symposium to be held on Monday 15 March, 11:00 to 13:00 in Charter 3, will outline the use of oral vaptans and discuss the positive outcomes resulting from use of this exciting new therapy. The meeting will chaired by Professor John Wass (Oxford). Presentations will be given by Professor Joe Verballis (Washington, USA) and Dr Steve Ball (Newcastle-upon-Tyne), all experts in hyponatraemia.

Novo Nordisk Satellite – New modalities of treatment in type 2 diabetes. Chair: Dr Mark Evans (Cambridge). Speakers: Professor Chantal Mathieu (Leuven, Belgium) and Professor Richard Holt (Southampton). Monday 15 March 11:00 to 13:00, Charter A.

Interdepartmental peer review of clinical endocrine services - Flyer (pdf)

Professor John Bevan (Coordinator, Society for Endocrinology IPR Project) will explain how the Society for Endocrinology’s scheme works and describe the many positive outcomes that have come from the first 10 reviews. Very soon, peer review will be an important component of revalidation so ... this is your chance to comment on: What’s good and what could be improved with the current format? What should peer review concentrate on? How can more centres be encouraged to take part? Come and play your part in improving standards of endocrine care. The session will be chaired by Professor John Wass and will take place: Tuesday 16 March, 18:15 to 19:00, Exchange Auditorium.

Basic Science Meet the Expert Sessions

Following the success of previous clinical science sessions, this year the Society is introducing a number of Meet the Expert sessions in basic science. These are anticipated to be relatively informal discussions based around new basic science technologies. Topics include metabolomics in diabetes and obesity, using bioinformatics to aid research, and mutagenesis resources. Tuesday 07:15 to 08:00 and 17:00 to 18:00, Thursday 07:15 to 08:00.

Speciality Certificate Examination

In the UK, the Specialty Certificate Examination (SCE) is now a compulsory component of assessment for Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) for trainees whose specialist training began in or after August 2007. The first diet of the SCE in endocrinology and diabetes took place in May 2009 and the next exam will be held on 30 June 2010. Dr Mark Cooper (SCE in Endocrinology & Diabetes Examining Board Secretary) will give a brief update on the examination. Wednesday 17 March, 17:15 to 17:25, Exchange Auditorium.

A Showcase of Systems Biology - Showcase flyer (pdf)

With its unique ability to look at chemical interactions in a system as a whole, systems biology is becoming an increasingly useful research tool in the field of endocrinology. Chaired by Professor Julia Buckingham and featuring speakers from the academic and funding arenas, this session explains how the quantitative sciences are revolutionising medical research, and outlines additional funding sources that can be accessed through systems biology. 18 March, 10:00 to 12:00, Exchange Theatre.

Society for Endocrinology Special Interest Group Satellites - Satellite sessions flyer

We are delighted that three of the Society’s SIGs - Andrology, Pituitary and PCOS will be holding satellite sessions that will run in parallel on Wednesday evening starting at 18:15. Light refreshments will be available for those attending the meetings. Wednesday 17 March, 18:15 to 20:15.

Andrology – Charter A

Pituitary – Exchange Theatre

PCOS – Charter 3

For further details on all these meetings and the SfE BES meeting, please go to: http://www.endocrinology.org/meetings/2010/sfebes2010