The main objective of the Endocrine Network in Reproductive Endocrinology & Biology (ENREB) has been to establish a broad-based group in reproductive endocrinology as a platform for scientific meetings, collaborative research and teaching. It is intended to be one that will appeal to basic and clinical scientists in the field, as well as clinical endocrinologists.

To date, nearly 200 members of the Society for Endocrinology, including clinical endocrinologists and clinical and basic scientists, have signed up to ENREB. The specific aims of the Network include:

• input to the Programme Committee of the Society for Endocrinology BES conference regarding plenary lectures and symposia
• close collaboration with the Society for Reproduction and Fertility, encouraging collaborative research in reproductive endocrinology
• provision of a forum for teaching and training in reproductive endocrinology.

SUCCESSFUL EVENTS

The activities of ENREB were launched in 2014 by bidding for, and hosting, the successful European Society of Endocrinology Basic Endocrinology Course, focusing on reproductive biology. Since then we have proposed symposia at successive Society for Endocrinology BES conferences, which have been included in the programme.

ENREB has continued to organise meetings of ReproSouth, which have proved popular as a forum for presentation of work in progress by PhD and MSc students and postdocs. We are currently planning to organise a 1-day, interdisciplinary meeting on the transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) family in reproductive biology. We are also considering a plan to arrange a meeting on clinical aspects of reproductive endocrinology as either a stand-alone symposium or as a satellite meeting of the Society for Endocrinology BES conference.

ENHANCING COMMUNICATION

In addition to this, the Society circulates Network-specific newsfeeds to ENREB members detailing developments in research, funding, and clinical practice that are relevant to those working in the field of reproductive endocrinology and biology.

The first formal meeting of Network members was held at the Society for Endocrinology BES conference in 2015, and we hope to arrange another such meeting to discuss the future direction and activities of ENREB at this year’s event. There is still much to be done with respect to co-ordinating multi-centre research efforts, but there have already been suggestions from members of ENREB and the Society about research topics which might benefit from the Network’s support.

We look forward to developments in this area and we would very much welcome input from members about collaborative research as well as in supporting scientific meetings, teaching and training.

Steve Franks & Andrew Childs

Network Leads

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