Event of the Week
Environmental Genomics: Genes in the Environment
Church House Conference Centre, Westminster
April 16, 2007 10am-4pm

What can genetics tell us about environmental issues? The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) has invested £16.5 million to explore this question. Genes in the Environment concludes a five-year research programme that has examined the roles genes play in adaptation, environmental health, pollution, disease and ecosystems. A summary of the programme’s findings and achievements will be provided at this meeting, which is aimed at a general audience including government members, policy makers, regulators, industry, conservation bodies and the wider public.

Science business
A trio of industry gatherings loom. Life Science Alliances World 2007 (April 16–18) is a partnering event with an impressive list of speakers. The 3rd London Biotech Investment Forum (April 20, London Stock Exchange) is a networking opportunity for small companies to hook up with investors. Meanwhile, CEOs might consider attending the 2007 Bioleadership Summit, organised by the BioIndustry Association (April 19-20, contact the BIA for venue details).

Seminars
University College London have arranged a double seminar on cancer research for April 19. Kevin Harrington of the Institute of Cancer Research will discuss ‘physical and biological targeted therapy for head and neck cancer’, and the Sanger Institute’s Stephan Beck will describe reverse phenotyping.

Up in Mill Hill, the National Institute for Medical Research host a talk by Venki Ramakrishnan from the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge. He will discuss the use of crystallography to probe ribosomal structure and functional states.

Evening events
The Royal Institution’s series on polymathy continues on Wednesday, when John Whitfield talks about ‘science’s most successful failure’ D’Arcy Wentworth Thompson.

Finally, relax in the Dana Centre’s d.cafe on 18 April, where actors will imagine the world in 2025. A debate on future global issues such as ‘carbon credits, expensive fuel and global health inequality’ will follow.