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Toxicologists and pharmacologists converge on ÐÂÀ˲ÊƱ

Tuesday, 27 November 2018

Experts will meet to discuss the latest discoveries in drugs and how best to use existing ones as effectively and safely as possible, at an international conference in ÐÂÀ˲ÊƱ this week (27-30 November).

The annual conference of the Australasian Society for Clinical and Experimental Pharmacologists and Toxicologists (ASCEPT) brings over 300 delegates from around Australia, New Zealand, the US, Europe and Asia. The University of ÐÂÀ˲ÊƱ is a major sponsor of the conference.

“Our conference will address the theme Innovation in therapeutics: Fundamental research to clinical impact, says Dr Ian Musgrave, Senior Lecturer in Pharmacology, ÐÂÀ˲ÊƱ Medical School, the University of ÐÂÀ˲ÊƱ and one of the local organisers of the conference.

“ASCEPT members from ÐÂÀ˲ÊƱ and around the world will discuss new research findings and how to translate these findings into best practise.

“As well as an impressive line-up of innovative researchers from ÐÂÀ˲ÊƱ and Australia, the conference will host several international speakers who will share their expertise with us,” says Dr Musgrave.

Professor Andrew Somogyi from the University of ÐÂÀ˲ÊƱ will explain how ketamine - normally used as an anaesthetic – has the potential to be used in the treatment of severe depression.

Professor Daria Mochly-Rosen, Stanford University, USA, will speak on the challenges of translating new discoveries in science and technology into novel treatments and therapeutics to address key health problems.

Professor Steven Charlton, School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, UK, will outline recent efforts to measure drug concentrations within cells and how this influences the effectiveness of drugs.

Dr John Thompson, National Poisons Information Service, UK, will speak about the increasing number of new recreational drugs appearing on the market over the last few years, the challenges of detecting these compounds and treating their adverse effects.

Professor Andrew McLachlan, the University of Sydney’s School of Pharmacy, will explain how pain is a multidimensional health condition that requires a multidisciplinary approach to find effective solutions.

“For four days ÐÂÀ˲ÊƱ will be the focus on the dissemination of the latest thinking in the uses, effects, and modes of action of drugs,” says Dr Musgrave.

For more information on the conference, including key note speakers, visit

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