'Civic Republicanism and Public Morality' 06 November2006 – Dr. Garret FitzGerald, former Taoiseach and current Chancellor of the National University of Ireland, will deliver a seminar entitled 'Civic Republicanism and Public Morality,' at NUI Galway at 3pm on Tuesday, 14 November. Dr. Fitzgerald's talk will draw on a chapter from his recent book, 'Ireland in the World: Further Reflections', and on his recent address to the Annual Conference of National Principals and Deputy Principals of Second-Level Schools. Dr. Garret FitzGerald will speak as part of a keynote seminar series hosted and sponsored by the Community Knowledge Initiative (CKI) at NUI Galway. Focusing on themes related to civic engagement and active citizenship, this keynote series is being offered as a response to the increased alienation and declining social commitment that is common in today's communities, and will host a number of high profile people who are knowledgeable in these areas. Dr. Garret FitzGerald is a former Foreign Minister and Taoiseach and is currently the Chancellor of the National University of Ireland and presides over its Senate. He has been a weekly columnist in the Irish Times for the last 50 years, is Chairman of the Future of Europe Committee of the Institute of European Affairs, as well as President of the Institute, and is also a Director of the Irish Chapter of Transparency International, Age Action Ireland and the Greater European Fund. The Community Knowledge Initiative (CKI) is a project at NUI Galway that promotes partnership with communities and endeavours to enhance social commitment within communities. Funded by philanthropic donations, the CKI hopes to reinvigorate the civic mission of higher education in Ireland, putting communities at the centre of debate. "We are delighted to have Dr. FitzGerald speak with us and hope it will be an educational and informative event for people of the Galway community," said Lorraine McIlrath, CKI Project Coordinator. Those interested in attending this keynote address should email mary.bernard@nuigalway.ie or call contact Mary Bernard on 091 493823 for a free ticket. For further information, please contact Lorraine McIlrath, CKI Project Coordinator at 091 495234 or email lorraine.mcilrath@nuigalway.ie or Christina McDonald Legg, christina.legg@nuigalway.ie -ends-

Stem Cell Sciences plc (AIM:STEM), the global biotechnology company focused on the commercialisation of stem cells and stem cell technologies in research and novel cell-based therapies, is pleased to announce that the Group s Neural Stem Cells (NS cells) will enter preclinical testing for spinal cord injury in a groundbreaking collaboration with the world-renowned Regenerative Medicine Institute (REMEDI) at NUI Galway. The initial study will examine the ability of the NS cells to provide functional improvements in models of spinal cord injury at REMEDI. Spinal cord injury affects more than 25 million people worldwide, with 130,000 new cases reported each year. It represents a considerable social and economic cost to both families and countries. "It's a really exciting opportunity for us to test our NS cells in preclinical models of spinal cord injury", said SCS's Chief Scientific Officer, Dr Tim Allsopp. "We will examine how the cells remain viable, engraft and support natural repair processes. We are really pleased to be collaborating with NUI Galway's Regenerative Medicine Institute". Stem Cell Sciences' NS cells are unique in that they can be grown in serum-free and feeder-free cell culture conditions. Potentially, this makes them very effective when used in a variety of cell-based therapeutics. Professor Frank Barry, REMEDI's Scientific Director and a world-leading scientist in stem cell therapy, said: "For REMEDI to be able to evaluate a 'best in class' neural stem cell in conjunction with a world-leading company is a great opportunity for us, and underscores the efforts we are making in Ireland in finding novel therapeutic solutions for currently incurable conditions." Initial study results are expected in the first quarter of 2007. If this study proves successful, Stem Cell Sciences and REMEDI plan to expand the collaboration with more extensive testing. "It would be a great step forward if we demonstrate efficacy for our NS cells in this model" said Dr Peter Mountford, Chief Executive Officer of SCS. "With our capabilities in novel cell culture media development and stem cell uses in drug discovery, our next step was always to move into pre-clinical trials of illness and disease, using the NS cells." Dr Daniel O'Mahony, Director of Technology Transfer at NUI Galway said, "We are bringing together two technology leaders in their respective fields in the development of new treatments for spinal cord injury. This collaboration between REMEDI and SCS reinforces our commitment to industrial collaborations and to progressing technologies from the laboratory to the market place." -ends – For further information, please contact: Stem Cell Sciences plc 01316629829 Hugh Ilyine, Chief Operating Officer Sue Furber, Director of Finance & Company Secretary Regenerative Medicine Institute (REMEDI) +353 091 495198 Ita Murphy MSc, Communications and Outreach Manager Weber Shandwick|Square Mile 020 7067 0700 James White Notes to Editors Stem Cell Sciences plc (SCS, AIM: STEM) is a global biotechnology company, established in Melbourne, Australia in 1994, providing products in the burgeoning stem cell research and drug discovery markets, in addition to the targeted development of cell-based therapies for neurodegenerative disease and injury. The Company has established a leading intellectual property (IP) and technology portfolio that enables the commercial application of stem cells in drug discovery, providing the Company with early-stage revenue streams and technology development for at scale cell production of SCS cell-based therapeutics. SCS principal focus is in neurological disease. Revenues in the neurotech market, including pharmaceuticals, devices and diagnostics, grew 10% in 2005 to US$110 billion*. SCS operates as a group of independent operations with laboratories in Scotland, Japan and Australia, each of which is affiliated with an academic centre of excellence. These include the Institute of Stem Cell Research (ISCR), Edinburgh, UK, RIKEN Centre for Development Biology, Kobe, Japan and the Australian Stem Cell Centre, Melbourne, Australia. SCS has four business units focused on key sustainable business strategies. SC Proven® provides cell culture media (liquid formulations) and reagents that enable the growth and differentiation of stem cells. The first commercially available product, a novel, serum free, stem cell growth medium, has been exclusively licensed for manufacture and marketing to Chemicon, part of Millipore Corporation. SC Licensing licenses SCS proprietary technologies, such as Internal Ribosome Entry Site (IRES) and Stem Cell Selection, for application in laboratory-based research and discovery. SCS has licensed technology to major pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies including Pfizer, Sanofi Aventis, GSK, Deltagen Inc and Lexicon Genetics Inc. SC Services provides specialised stem cell production for basic research and drug discovery, including high-throughput applications. SC Therapies' goal is to develop safe and effective cell-based therapies for currently incurable diseases. SCS is conducting preclinical evaluations of its neural stem cell lines in a number of therapeutic applications. The first preclinical programme is being undertaken by SCS' Japanese affiliate, which recently announced the exclusive licensing of human multi-potent adipose-derived stem (hMADS) cells for therapeutic purposes. SCS KK will conduct preclinical studies for the treatment of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy in 2006. For further information on the company please visit www.stemcellsciences.com

02 Samhain 2006: Seolfaidh Peadar Mac an Iomaire, Príomhfheidhmeannach Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge, an DVD Claíocha Arda, ina bhfuil cur síos ar shaol agus ar shaothar Mháirtín Uí Chadhain ag Oireachtas na Gaeilge i nDoire ar an Satharn, 4 Samhain 2006 ag 2.30 i.n. sa Millennium Forum. Tugann Claíocha Arda spléachadh ar an bhfís gheal ar chaith Máirtín Ó Cadhain a shaol léi. Tá an DVD Claíocha Arda eisithe ag Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge, Ollscoil na hÉireann, Gaillimh mar chuid den chomóradh 100 bliain ar bhreith Mháirtín Uí Chadhain. Mhair Máirtín Ó Cadhain le linn don chéad naoi mbliana don craoladh teilifíse in Éirinn. Dá réir níl an oiread taifead físe dó ar fáil. Tugann an DVD seo an chuid is fearr de chartlann RTÉ le chéile. Tugtar deis cainte don Chadhnach féin cur síos ar a óige, a scolaíocht, poblachtánachas, tús na scríbhneoireachta, litríocht, agus síol na scéalaíochta - an grá! "Silim gan an grá níl aon scéalaíocht" a dúirt Máirtín. Úsáidtear ceol le Shostakovich, fear eile a bhfuil comóradh 100 bliain a bhreithe i mbliana, coinséartó cáiliúil uimhir a trí de chuid Rachmaninov, agus píosa le Stravinsky, d'fhonn atmaisféar a chruthú leis na pictiúir dhubha agus bhána. Bhí teanga na Rúise ag Ó Cadhain agus chuir sé spéis in obair na mórscríbhneoirí Rúiseacha ar nós Dostoevsky, Chekhov agus Maxim Gorki. Léirítear sliocht as pièce de résistance Uí Chadhain Cré na Cille agus déantar trácht ar fhoinse an úrscéil agus a charachtair sa DVD. Threabh Máirtín Ó Cadhain iomaire na litríochta Gaeilge san aois seo caite. D'fhág sé oeuvre atá i gcroílár litríocht na hÉireann. Is é Claíocha Arda a scéal is a dhán. Dúirt Peadar Mac an Iomaire "is inspioráid an scannán seo do dhaoine óga agus do dhaoine nach bhfuil chomh hóg le léiriú a fháil ar dhílseacht agus ar dhúthracht an fhir seo ar son a mhuintire féin. Ag an am céanna, ní raibh na hacmhainní faoina lámh lena linn a thabharfadh an deis dó féin agus don mhuintir sin a bhí gar dá chroí iad féin a chumasú mar ba mhian leis". Tá líon teoranta cóipeanna den DVD (500 cóip) le díol ón 7 Samhain 2006 ar aghaidh ach teagmháil a dhéanamh le hAcadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge 091 492428 nó caitriona.nichoirbhin@oegaillimh.ie CRÍOCH

02 November 2006: Geraldine Kennedy, editor of the Irish Times, will officially open the Moore Institute for Research in the Humanities and Social Studies at NUI Galway on Tuesday 7 November. The institute provides scholars an opportunity to engage in research and innovative thinking to promote the better appreciation of human cultural and social achievements in past centuries, and the enrichment and improvement of our world today. It is called after the Moore family of Moore Hall in County Mayo whose members, in successive generations, sponsored such change in the west of Ireland over the course of four centuries. The official opening will be followed by the inaugural lecture at the Institute entitled 'The Natural History of the Atlantic World'. This is a free event to which the general public are invited. In this illustrated lecture Professor Nicholas Canny, Academic Director of the Moore Institute, will investigate how, between the 1560s and the1720s, scientific writers in Northern Europe absorbed new knowledge about the peoples and resources of the Americas that had come within their reach through the process of discovery and exploration. Speaking about the new Institute, President of NUI Galway, Dr. Iognáid Ó Muircheartaigh commented, "Research in the humanities is more important than ever in our Irish society which has changed so rapidly over the last number of years and continues to evolve on many levels. The social sciences allow us to understand not only our own culture, but also our responsibilities as citizens of the global village. The Moore Institute will develop the best scholars from around the world and imbue them with the knowledge and skills necessary to contribute to Ireland's social and economic fabric." The opening of the Institute will also be marked by seminars on the morning of the 7 November at NUI Galway on topics such as Connacht Landed Estates 1700-1920; Thomas Moore Hypermedia Archive and TEXTE - Transfer of Expertise in Technologies of Editing. -ends- Information for Editors : The Natural History of the Atlantic World. In this illustrated lecture Professor Nicholas Canny, Academic Director of the Moore Institute, NUI Galway, will investigate how, between the 1560s and the 1720s, scientific writers in Northern Europe absorbed new knowledge about the peoples and resources of the Americas that had come within their reach through the process of discovery and exploration. He will also consider how successive authors of texts suggested how more efficient use might be made of these resources for the betterment of all humanity. He will commence by explaining that the terms Natural History and Cosmography, which were in common use during these centuries, corresponded roughly with the terms Anthropology and Ethnography as these are used today meaning the study of human beings in relation to their natural environments. The lecture will commence with the attempts made by French, English and Dutch adventurers to establish settlements in Brazil, Florida, and on Roanoke Island (off the coast of North Carolina) during the late sixteenth century and on how these were reported upon both individually by participants and compositely in the illustrated 4 volume America by Theodore de Bry published from Frankfurt and translated into most major European vernaculars as well as in Latin during the early decades of the seventeenth century. From there it will proceed to discuss how for a brief interlude after 1604, a year that marked the cessation of military hostilities between Spain and several of the Northern European powers, adventurers from these countries first began to spill over into the Americas and then to take account of earlier Natural Histories of the Americas that had been written by Spanish authors. This will lead to a discussion of Natural Histories composed by a sequence of French and English authors who emulated these Spanish model texts. These more recent authors wrote principally of the peoples and resources of the islands of the West Indies and of the coastal areas of Canada. Special attention will be given to the writings of the French Dominican priests J.B. Du Tertre and J.B. Labat but the lecture will culminate with a consideration of the contribution to Natural History, and particularly that of the island of Jamaica, made by Sir Hans Sloane at the outset of the eighteenth century. This will show how he absorbed everything that had been written by his predecessors of whatever nationality, and it will make the case for Sloane being considered the first modern scientist. The lecture will be organized around the appraisals made by these authors of the resources that America offered to Europe, and around the illustrations they provided of plants, animals, and peoples in the places with which they had become familiar. It will take account both those that were native to the areas and those that had been introduced by Europeans and Africans from other parts of the globe. Attention will also be given to the descriptions and illustrations successive authors supplied of the production and processing of marketable commodities notably tobacco, cotton, cassava, sugar, fish and furs.

01 November 2006: World renowned entrepreneur and business leader Stephen Allott is to give a seminar at NUI Galway entitled, "From Science to Growth: Why Technology Transfer is Not Enough?" Stephen Allott is Chairman of Trinamo Limited, a management consultancy and security software reseller, which he co-founded in 2004, and former President of IT company Micromuse. The seminar, which is being run by the University's Centre for Innovation and Structural Change, will take place on Tuesday 7 November at 6.00pm in room BS118 at the J.E. Cairnes Graduate School of Business & Public Policy, NUI Galway. At the event, Stephen will also launch Strategic Management of Technology Transfer: The New Challenge on Campus written by Dr. James Cunningham and Mr. Brian Harney published by Oak Tree Press. The seminar will address the correlation between investment in scientific research and economic growth. Traditionally, more science does lead to more growth but Allott will question the exact mechanisms by which one leads to the other. He will investigate the relative impact of 'People Centric' mechanisms (entrepreneurs, recruitment by businesses of bachelor graduates and applied development work undertaken by PhDs employed in industry) compared to "Idea Centric" mechanisms (technology transfer via licensing and spin-outs). Allott, who also serves as City Fellow at Cambridge University, suggests that the economic impact of academic research could be substantially increased by using a focused range of People Centric initiatives to complement technology transfer programmes. For business people, the talk will outline how to obtain value from university interactions. Those wishing to attend the event should email Dr. Willie Golden, (willie.golden@nuigalway.ie) Director, Centre for Innovation and Structural Change or telephone 091 492817. -ends- Notes to Editors: Stephen Allott is both a business and a non-profit entrepreneur. After graduating from Trinity College, Cambridge with a degree in law, he practised at the Bar in private practice and then as in-house counsel with Babcock, Rank Xerox and Sun Microsystems. He then worked for McKinsey as a strategy consultant in telecoms and technology before joining Micromuse in 1995. At Micromuse he was President, CFO and a main board director, leading the NASDAQ flotation. From 2001 to 2004 he was a full time Visitor at the Cambridge University Computer Laboratory where he founded the Computer Laboratory Graduate Association (www.camring.ucam.org). In 2004 he co-founded Trinamo Ltd., which has two divisions, a management consultancy for software companies and a security software reseller (www.trinamo.com)