28/08/2006
Cancer conference held at Queen's
Around 200 world-leading scientists have today descended upon Queen's University in Belfast, to discuss the cutting-edge advances in cancer tumour therapy, new energy sources and our understanding of some of the drivers of global climate change.
Delegates from over 20 countries around the world, including many participants from Germany, Japan and the United States, have gathered at Queen’s for the 13th International Conference on the Physics of Highly Charged Ions.
The prestigious event, which will be held on the campus from today until to Friday September 1, is taking place in Ireland for the first time.
Keynote speakers include Professor John D Gillaspy from the National Institute of Standards and Technology in Maryland, along with Professor Melvyn Folkard from the Gray Cancer Institute in England.
Professor Gillaspy will discuss how the use of highly charged ions in radiotherapy can lead to more effective cancer treatment, while Professor Folkard will present the latest research findings on the effects of exposure of cells and tissue to cancer-causing ionising radiation.
The speakers will also discuss how radiobiological research seeks to improve our understanding of how ionising radiation interacts with living systems and to assess the risks associated with occupational and environmental levels of radiation, which are presently not well understood.
The conference has been organised by academics from Queen's in partnership with colleagues from University College Dublin and Dublin City University.
Co-chair of the organising committee Queen's Professor Bob McCullough said: "At Queen’s research in the field of highly-charged ions is a major part of the research programme of our new International Research Centre for Experimental Physics, IRCEP, which was opened just last year and we are therefore delighted to be hosting this conference.
"International collaborative research in highly charged ions is playing a major role in extending the frontiers of knowledge and generating exciting new discoveries and avenues of investigation. This is illustrated by our programme here at Queen's University which is now part of a major EU programme on the applications of highly charged ions in medicine and engineering."
The event has been part-funded by the International Fund for Ireland through financial assistance administered by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and is supported by the Journal of Physics B: a journal of the Institute of Physics.
(EF/KMcA)
Delegates from over 20 countries around the world, including many participants from Germany, Japan and the United States, have gathered at Queen’s for the 13th International Conference on the Physics of Highly Charged Ions.
The prestigious event, which will be held on the campus from today until to Friday September 1, is taking place in Ireland for the first time.
Keynote speakers include Professor John D Gillaspy from the National Institute of Standards and Technology in Maryland, along with Professor Melvyn Folkard from the Gray Cancer Institute in England.
Professor Gillaspy will discuss how the use of highly charged ions in radiotherapy can lead to more effective cancer treatment, while Professor Folkard will present the latest research findings on the effects of exposure of cells and tissue to cancer-causing ionising radiation.
The speakers will also discuss how radiobiological research seeks to improve our understanding of how ionising radiation interacts with living systems and to assess the risks associated with occupational and environmental levels of radiation, which are presently not well understood.
The conference has been organised by academics from Queen's in partnership with colleagues from University College Dublin and Dublin City University.
Co-chair of the organising committee Queen's Professor Bob McCullough said: "At Queen’s research in the field of highly-charged ions is a major part of the research programme of our new International Research Centre for Experimental Physics, IRCEP, which was opened just last year and we are therefore delighted to be hosting this conference.
"International collaborative research in highly charged ions is playing a major role in extending the frontiers of knowledge and generating exciting new discoveries and avenues of investigation. This is illustrated by our programme here at Queen's University which is now part of a major EU programme on the applications of highly charged ions in medicine and engineering."
The event has been part-funded by the International Fund for Ireland through financial assistance administered by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and is supported by the Journal of Physics B: a journal of the Institute of Physics.
(EF/KMcA)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
23 June 2005
Queen's opens £9 million physics centre
A £9 million state-of-the-art facility, which will act as a centre for world-class international physics research, has been officially opened by Queen's University.
Queen's opens £9 million physics centre
A £9 million state-of-the-art facility, which will act as a centre for world-class international physics research, has been officially opened by Queen's University.
28 October 2004
UU launches world-class researchers search
The University of Ulster has launched a campaign to attract world-class researchers to Northern Ireland as part of new research institute structures. The University is establishing 13 new research institutes as part of a strategic initiative to develop its position as a centre for outstanding research.
UU launches world-class researchers search
The University of Ulster has launched a campaign to attract world-class researchers to Northern Ireland as part of new research institute structures. The University is establishing 13 new research institutes as part of a strategic initiative to develop its position as a centre for outstanding research.
16 February 2006
University to receive award for 'pollution solution'
Queen's University in Belfast has today received a top award for its pioneering work on environmentally friendly technology. The Queen's University's Ionic Liquids Laboratories (QUILL) Research Centre has created an exciting new 'green' technology, which has the potential to impact on the daily lives of everyone around the world.
University to receive award for 'pollution solution'
Queen's University in Belfast has today received a top award for its pioneering work on environmentally friendly technology. The Queen's University's Ionic Liquids Laboratories (QUILL) Research Centre has created an exciting new 'green' technology, which has the potential to impact on the daily lives of everyone around the world.
09 October 2018
University Experts Warn Brexit Will Stall Cancer Research
Experts have predicted that Brexit will cause a deadly blow to lifesaving cancer research throughout the UK due to a possible "medical manpower crisis". The warning comes from leading experts at Queen's University Belfast who anticipate a "catastrophic Brexit effect" on lifesaving research and cancer care.
University Experts Warn Brexit Will Stall Cancer Research
Experts have predicted that Brexit will cause a deadly blow to lifesaving cancer research throughout the UK due to a possible "medical manpower crisis". The warning comes from leading experts at Queen's University Belfast who anticipate a "catastrophic Brexit effect" on lifesaving research and cancer care.
18 December 2014
Queen's Research In UK's 'Top 20'
Queen's University Belfast has been ranked among the top 20 UK university's for its research quality and impact. It follows a UK-wide research assessment of higher education institutions. In addition, more than 75% of the university's researchers are undertaking world-class or internationally-leading research.
Queen's Research In UK's 'Top 20'
Queen's University Belfast has been ranked among the top 20 UK university's for its research quality and impact. It follows a UK-wide research assessment of higher education institutions. In addition, more than 75% of the university's researchers are undertaking world-class or internationally-leading research.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.