‘The Ageing Cell’ hits the mark

The Babraham Institute’s international ‘Ageing Cell’ conference was heralded a huge success after receiving high praise from delegates and speakers alike. The event which was supported by the BBSRC and other sponsors, showcased the very latest Ageing research at a cellular level and brought together over 200 delegates to its campus and new conferencing facilities. 
 
In a programme designed to explore the intersections of research disciplines, the event did not disappoint. Delegates discussed research ideas and fostered new collaborations during the two-day event.
 
Babraham Institute Director, Prof Michael Wakelam (also a member of the organising committee) said “We are delighted with the Ageing Cell conference and subsequent feedback. This was the first event in our new conferencing facilities and our second conference on Ageing research. Given the extent of knowledge exchange achieved and the number of research ideas explored, we are certainly looking at the possibility of a repeat event.”
 
Four major themes were highlighted during the conference; Day 1 focused on the Ageing Stem Cell and also explored the effects of Ageing on Immune System, whilst Day 2 themes of Signalling and Epigenetics of the Ageing Cell revealed pioneering research on topics including the epigenetic clock and senescence. 
 

The themed sessions, focused Q&A and networking all encouraged significant knowledge exchange and new collaborations have already been cited. As one Babraham Institute Group Leader tells us;

“My group met one of our heroes in the ageing immunology field, Bonnie Blomberg, who visited our lab after the conference, provided invaluable advice, and is now a new collaborator.” 

 
The Babraham Institute and ‘The Ageing Cell’ has put Cambridge firmly on the map with this International conference. Calls for a repeat event are now being considered.
 
Linden Fradet on behalf of the Organising committee