Paul Hatton, Professor of Biomaterials Science at the University of Sheffield.

“I really enjoyed the Liverpool meeting and caught up with several ex-collaborators including Thomas Hartung. This will genuinely be a great event, I share your hopes that my colleagues will want to attend.”

Heard about ACTC but don’t really know what it means? Here is a quick 10 point guide with everything you need to know about the upcoming conference.

1. Advances in Cell and Tissue Culture (ACTC) is a small international conference to discuss leading research in cell culture.

ACTC is a three day event held annually.

It is an opportunity for researchers to present their work on in vitro cell culture and is a great opportunity for exchanging ideas. It is a ‘Gordon Style’ event, encouraging everybody to contribute by presenting a paper, a poster or running a discussion session.

This year ACTC will be held from the 22^nd -24^th May 2017, in Manchester, UK.

2. Key note speakers for ACTC 2017 include Dr Harvey Clewell (Scitovation, USA)and Professor Mark Cronin (Liverpool John Moores University, UK).

We have announced the preliminary programme including session titles and chairs, with further speaker announcements to follow. The speakers at ACTC can be both anyone from leading Professors to PhD students, ensuring the most recent and relevant research possible is presented.

Abstract submissions for poster and oral presentations are now open, and submission forms are on our website.

3. Everyone is welcome at ACTC.

The conference is accessible for academic, industrial, and student delegates. Just an interest in leading edge cell and tissue culture research is needed to enjoy and participate in the conference.

We encourage researchers at all levels of their career to either give an oral or poster presentation about their work, providing “junior researchers” with a great opportunity to gain valuable experience that will be important to progress your careers.

Drawing delegates from a variety of different research fields provides a great platform for discussion and often generates some great new ideas!

4. Manchester is a leading city for scientific research.

Manchester was the 2016 European city of science; it has a long standing reputation as a centre of leading edge scientific research. Famous scientists from Manchester include: Alan Turing, who decoded the enigma code during WWII, and John Dalton, founder of modern chemistry and atomic theory.

Manchester has the highest number of Nobel laureates in the UK apart from Oxbridge.

5. There is ample opportunity for socialising and networking during ACTC.

On Sunday 21^st there is a VIP event, on Monday 22^nd May we have an informal dinner at the conference venue and on Tuesday 23^rd May we host a Gala Dinner.

For ACTC 2017 the VIP event is a gin tasting session, hosted by the Gin Festival Company, followed by a two course meal at the MacDonald Hotel & Spa, the venue of the conference. This is an exclusive event for 30 delegates or sponsors, issued on a first come first serve basis. The session will include sampling five different gins and a talk on the history of gin and the distillation process.

The informal dinner is a three course meal held at the MacDonald Hotel & Spa.

The Dinner Gala will be hosted in the Hilton Hotel, offering a fine three course meal and spectacular views over the city of Manchester.

6. ACTC 2016 was great success!

Barcelona is a wonderful city, and we had a great time enjoying the beautiful weather and the latest scientific knowledge about advanced cell culture.

Key note speakers included Professor Ellen Fritsche, President of EUSAAT, Professor Thomas Hartung, Director of CAAT, and Professor Thomas Schupe, from the Institute of Regenerative Medicine.

7. Learn more about Quasi Vivo® at ACTC

ACTC is a great opportunity to learn more about Quasi Vivo® and in vitro flow systems. The Kirkstall team at the conference will be able to discuss the needs of your research and how Quasi Vivo® can help.

There is also a two day workshop, held at Manchester Metropolitan University on the two days immediately following the conference. This is a great opportunity if you want more specific and in depth understanding of the Quasi Vivo® flow system as well as plenty of hands on experience.

8. ACTC is competitively priced compared to other cell culture conferences.

Academic standard price is £312; Industry standard price is £540, and standard price is available until the 30^th April 2017. This includes access to scientific sessions, coffee breaks and lunch for all three days.

There is a delegate day rate of £180 for academics and £250 for industry if you are not available for all 3 days but would still like to attend.

9. Is there more information?

Below is a video interview with Simon Whawell, PhD, Reader in Oral Bioscience at the University of Sheffield, talking about his experiences at ACTC conferences.

10. Hear why previous delegates think you should attend ACTC 2017.  

Jamie Davies, Professor of Anatomy at the University of Edinburgh:

Paul Hatton, Professor of Biomaterials Science at the University of Sheffield.

“I really enjoyed the Liverpool meeting and caught up with several ex-collaborators including Thomas Hartung. This will genuinely be a great event, I share your hopes that my colleagues will want to attend.”

We hope this has answered all your questions about ACTC 2017, if not please don’t hesitate to get in contact.