Spaces of Stem Cell Science: Exploring Processes of Translational Research
Abstract
The proposed research examines the processes of translational research in stem cell science. The goal is to make an important contribution to the development of interdisciplinary understanding across the social and the biomedical sciences. The project develops the current ESRC Stem Cell Initiative research: 'Mapping stem cell research in action: an ethnography of the bench-bedside interface'. This research focuses on cell transplantation in the fields of diabetes and liver disease, and explores the social science themes of ethics, expectations, the body, and science and technology studies (STS). In contrast, the proposed research will focus on 'disease in a dish' approaches to stem cell translation (i.e. stem cells as tools for unravelling mechanisms of disease and for drug development) in the fields of neuroscience and diabetes. The new themes of risk, Bourdieu and geographies of science continue theoretical and methodological blending of STS and medical sociology. The project will combine new ways of writing about current data with additional research on some of the themes which have emerged during this qualitative work.
The Fellowship aims to develop a programme of research through six interrelated objectives which:
1. Explore views from the bench and the bedside on risk, stem cells, and cell transplantation.
2. Use Bourdieu's concepts of field, habitus and different forms of capital, as a novel way of understanding stem cell science and translational research.
3. Examine the spaces of stem cell science, and develop a stream of research on the geographies of stem cell research and translational processes.
4. Investigate neuroscientists' expectations of stem cell science, particularly the differing speeds of translation of embryonic, fetal and neural stem cells from the lab to the clinic.
5. Study models of stem cell science, particularly 'cell transplantation' and 'disease in a dish' as competing paradigms of translational research.
6. Compare and contrast scientists' views of stem cell science and translational research in California and the United Kingdom .
Fieldwork will largely be undertaken in stem cell labs and networks in the United Kingdom and California. Access has been obtained from the directors of two major embryonic/adult stem cell labs and their associated centres and networks, in these two locations. This research includes 20 in-depth interviews with leading stem cell researchers.
This Fellowship builds on research collaboration with the four 'mapping stem cell innovation' coapplicants: Prof Williams (Medical Sociology, KCL), Professor Michael (Sociology of Science & Technology, Goldsmiths), Professor Farsides (Bioethics, Sussex), and Professor Cribb (Ethics & Public Policy, KCL), and adds a collaboration with Dr Demeritt (Geography of Science, KCL). The study will continue to develop links with local, national, and global networks of social and bioscience stem cell researchers, the UK Stem Cell Initiative and the 'Social Science Stem Cell Network' in California (particularly with UCSF/UCB).
This study will be of direct benefit to government, advisory bodies and user groups, and will contribute to public debate about stem cell research and therapies.
Contacts
Outputs
This fellowship webpage only includes outputs produced after November 2006.
A wide-range of outputs from my previous ESRC SCI project can be found at:
http://www.york.ac.uk/res/sci/projects/res340250003williams.htm
Website
www.kcl.ac.uk/schools/sspp/interdisciplinary/cbas
Poster
http://www.york.ac.uk/res/sci/posters/wainwrightfellowship.pdf
Publications (2007 onwards)
Williams, C. & Wainwright, S.P. (2010) Sociological reflections on ethics, embryonic stem cells and translational research. In Campbell, A.V. & Capps, B.J. (Eds) B ioethics and the Global Politics of Stem Cell Science: Medical Applications in a Pluralistic World, London: Imperial College Press, and Singapore: World Scientific Publishing (in press).
Wainwright, S.P. Williams, C. Michael, M. &.Cribb, A. (2009) Stem cells, translational research and the sociology of science. In Atkinson, P. Glasner, P. & Lock, M. (Eds) Handbook of Genetics & Society: Mapping the New Genomic Era. London: Routledge (in press).
Wainwright, S.P. Michael, M. & Williams, C. (2009) Shifting paradigms? Reflections on regenerative medicine, embryonic stem cells and pharmaceuticals. In Williams, S.J. Gabe, J. & Davis, P. (Eds) Pharmaceuticals & Society: Critical Discourses & Debates , Sociology of Health & Illness Monograph, Oxford: Blackwell.
Wainwright, S.P. Michael, M. & Williams, C. (2008) Shifting paradigms? Reflections on regenerative medicine, embryonic stem cells and pharmaceuticals. Specal Issue on 'Pharmaceuticals & Society: Critical Discourses & Debates', Sociology of Health & Illness 30 959-974.
Cribb, A. Wainwright, S.P. Williams, C. Michael, M & Farsides, B. (2008) Towards the applied: the construction of ethical positions in stem cell translational research. Medicine, Health Care & Philosophy 11 351-361.
Wainwright, S.P. & Williams, C. (2008) Spaces of speech and places of performance: an outline of a geography of science approach to embryonic stem cell research and diabetes. Special Issue, ‘Stem Cell Spaces, Places and Flows’ New Genetics & Society 27 161-173.
Williams, C. Wainwright, S.P. Ehrich, K. & Michael, M. (2008) Human embryos as boundary objects? Some reflections on the biomedical worlds of embryonic stem cells and pre-implantation genetic diagnosis. New Genetics & Society 27 7-18.
Michael, M. Wainwright, S.P.& Williams, C. (2007) Temporality and prudence: on stem cells as ‘phronesic things’. Special Issue on 'Time-Politics of Technology', Configurations 13: 373-394.
Wainwright, S.P. Williams, C. Michael, M. Farsides, B. & Cribb, A. (2007) Remaking the body? Scientists’ genetic discourses and practices as examples of changing expectations on embryonic stem cell therapy for diabetes . New Genetics & Society 26: 251-268.
Wainwright, S.P. Williams, C. Cribb, A. Farsides, C. & Michael, M. (2007) Ethical boundary-work in the embryonic stem cell laboratory. In de Vries, R. et al (Eds) The View from Here: Bioethics and the Social Sciences, SHI Monograph, Oxford : Blackwell .
Michael, M. Wainwright, S.P. Williams, C. Farsides, B. & Cribb, A. (2007) From core set to assemblage: on the dynamics of exclusion and inclusion in the failure to derive beta cells from embryonic stem cells. Science Studies 20 : 5-25.
Conference and seminar presentations
1. Wainwright, S.P. (2006) Philosophical and sociological perspectives on the ethics of human embryonic stem cell research. Associate of King?s College (AKC) Programme, Department of Theology & Religious Studies, King?s College London (7th December).
2. Wainwright, S.P. (2006) Selling qualitative research to quantitative researchers? Social research on stem cell science as an exemplar. 'Ethical Issues in Qualitative Research Conference', Centre for Medical Law & Ethics, King’s College London (20 February).
3. Wainwright, S.P.& Williams, C. (2007) Shifting targets: scientific and moral debates on embryonic stem cell research and diabetes . The times of cloning; historical and cultural aspects of a biotechnological research field, Max Planck Institute for the History of Science, Berlin, Germany (1-4 March)
4. Wainwright, S.P. Williams, C. & Michael, M. (2007) The evolution of a revolution? Reflections on scientists’ and clinicians’ changing views and practices on embryonic stem cells as a cure for diabetes. 4th CESAGen & CSG International Conference: ‘Genomics and Society – Retrospects and Prospects’ The Royal Society, London (26-28 March)
5. Wainwright, S.P. Williams, C. & Michael, M. (2007) Shifting paradigms? Bourdieu, the sociology of expectations and the pharmaceuticalisation of human embryonic stem cell research , BSA Annual Conference, ‘ Social Connections: Identities, Technologies, Relationships’ , University of East London, (12-14 April)
6. Wainwright, S.P. (2007) Sociological reflections on the bench-bedside interface: the case of human embryonic stem cells and diabetes, 'The science and sociology of stem cells', ESRC Genomics Forum, University of Edinburgh (3 May)
7. Wainwright, S.P. (2007) Shifting paradigm? Towards a Bourdieusian geography of embryonic stem cell research, Life Science Governance, Department of Political Science, University of Vienna, Austria (5 June)
8. Williams, C. Wainwright, S.P. & Michael, M. (2007) Human embryos as boundary objects? Exploring the interactions between the social worlds of pre-implantation genetic diagnosis and embryonic stem cells, International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) Conference, Cairns , Australia (17-20 June). For a PDF of this poster click here.
9. Wainwright, S.P. Williams, C. & Michael, M. (2007) A paradigm shift in stem cell science? Reflections on scientists’ perceptions and practices on human embryonic stem cells as a cure for disease , International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) Conference, Cairns , Australia (17-20 June). For a PDF of this poster click here.
10. Wainwright, S.P. & Williams, C. (2007) Sociological reflections on ethics, embryonic stem cells and pre-implantation genetic diagnosis. Centre for Heath Governance, Law & Ethics, University of Sydney , Australia ( 26 June, 2007 )
11. Wainwright, S.P. Williams, C. & Michael, M. (2007) Human embryonic stem cells as a new medical technology for type-1 diabetes? Some Bourdieusian reflections on the bench-bedside interface. BSA Medical Sociology Conference, Liverpool (6-8 September)
12. Wainwright, S.P.(2007) Sociology of Medical Science: Medical Sociology meets Science Studies. Thinking through science, technology and medicine: What medical sociology and STS can learn from each other, BSA Medical Sociology Conference, Liverpool (6-8 September)
13. Wainwright, S.P. (2007) From cell transplant to disease-in-a-dish? Sociological reflections on translational research. Symposium in Stem Cell Repair & Regeneration, Imperial College / Hammersmith Hospital , London (1-2 October)
14. Williams, C.Ehrich, K. & Wainwright, S.P. (2007) Human embryos as boundary objects: exploring the interactions between the social worlds of pre-implantation genetic diagnosis and embryonic stem cells. Society for Social Studies of Science (4S) Conference, Montreal , Canada (11-13 October)
15. Wainwright, S.P. Williams, C. & Michael, M. (2007) Paradigm shifts in stem cell science? Reflections on scientists’ perceptions and practices on human embryonic stem cells as a cure for disease. Society for Social Studies of Science (4S) Conference, Montreal , Canada (11-13 October).
16. Wainwright, S.P. (2008) Stem cell science meets cell transplant medicine? Some sociological findings on translational research. Biomedical Forum, NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, Guy’s Hospital, King’s College London (24 January)
17. Wainwright, S.P. (2008) Ethics, politics and embryonic stem cell research . Lecture to all (250) first year BSc students in the School of Biomedical & Health Sciences, King’s College London (4 February2008).
18. Wainwright, S.P. (2008) From stem cell science to cell transplant medicine? Some sociological reflections on translational research. Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine Bioprocessing Conference, University College London (18-20 February).
19. Wainwright, S.P. (2008) Sociological Reflections on Stem Cell Ethics. Lent Lecture, Centre of Medical Law & Ethics, King’s College London (6 March).
20. Wainwright, S.P. & Williams, C. (2008) From basic science to clinical medicine? Reflections on stem cell translational research. ‘ Translational Efficiencies: an interdisciplinary workshop’. The inaugural joint workshop of BIOS (LSE) & CBAS (KCL) London School of Economics (18 March).
21. Wainwright, S.P. (2008) Reflections on potential stem cell applications (speaker and ‘expert witness’ at all day), BBSRC/MRC Stem Cell Public Engagement Workshop, London (5 May).
22. Wainwright, S.P. (2008) Sociological reflections on translational research: from stem cell science to cell transplant medicine? Translational Research in Epidemiology, Epidemiology Interest Group & Consortium for Social Science, Health & Illness, King’s College London (12 June, 2008).
23 Wainwright, S.P. Williams, C. Persaud & Jones, P. (2008) Real science, biological bodies and stem cells: Realist reflections on constructing images of cells in the biomedical science lab. International Association for Critical Realism Annual Conference, Grounds for Critique: Realism in the Natural and Human Sciences, King’s College London, London (July 11-13).
24 Wainwright, S.P. & Williams, C. (2008) From basic science to clinical medicine: reflections on stem cell translational research, 4S / EASST Conference, Rotterdam (August).
25. Wainwright, S.P. & Williams, C. (2008) Awakening STS? Bourdieu, culture and politics in the field of translational research, 4S / EASST Conference, Rotterdam, Holland, (August).
26 Wainwright, S.P. (2008) Sociological Reflections on Stem Cell Translational Research: Can Bourdieu Help Us? European Science & Society Summer School (E4S), Deconstructing and Reconstructing Life: From Classification to Design, Heidelberg, Germany (August).
27. Wainwright, S.P. (2008) Embryonic Stem Cells, Translational Research and the Sociology of Science: Can Bourdieu Help Us? IFOM-IEO, Institute of Molecular Oncology Foundation-European Institute of Oncology, Milan (13 November).
28. Wainwright, S.P. & Williams, C. (2008) Sociological reflections on ethics, embryonic stem cells and translational research, Centre for Biomedical Ethics Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, (1 December).
29. Wainwright, S.P. (2008) Toward a sociology of translational stem cell research: how can Bourdieu help us? School of History & Philosophy, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia (10 December).
30. Wainwright, S.P. & Williams, C. (2008) Sociological reflections on the ethics of human embryonic stem cells and translational research, Values, Ethics & Law in Medicine (VELiM), University of Sydney, Australia (15 December).
31. Wainwright, S.P. (2009) Sociological reflections on the ethics of human embryonic stem cells and translational research, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, USA (26 February).
32. Wainwright, S.P. (2009) For Bourdieu in STS: reflections on the lab and the clinic in the field of stem cell research, Science Studies Programme, University of California San Diego, USA, (27 February).
33. Wainwright, S.P. (2009) Sociological reflections on the ethics of human embryonic stem cells and translational research, Stanford Center for Biomedical Ethics, Stanford University, USA, (3 March).
34. Wainwright, S.P. & Williams, C. (2009) Sociological reflections on stem cell translational research, Department of Health Service Research, Institute of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Denmark, (16 March).
35. Wainwright, S.P. (2009) Sociology of science and medicine: reflections on translational research, embryonic stem cells, diabetes and neuroscience, Institute for Health Sciences, Barts & The London School of Medicine & Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London (18 March).
36. Wainwright, S.P. (2009) Sociological reflections on translational research: embryonic stem cells, diabetes and neuroscience, ESRC SCI Conference, Beyond Pattison: Challenges to Stem Cell Translation & Policy, Wellcome Trust, London, (7-8 May).
37. Wainwright, S.P. (2009) Bourdieu and the sociology of translational research, CBAS Colloquium, King’s College London (12 May ).
38. Wainwright, S.P. (2009) From multidisciplinary to interdisciplinary ethics? CBAS/LABTEC Workshop, Perspectives on Interdisciplinary Bioethics Workshop, King’s College London (16 June).
39. Wainwright, S.P. & Williams (2009) A paradigm shift in stem cell science: hES cells as a cure for disease? CBAS Launch & Conference: Perspectives on Medicine, Science & Society. King’s College London (18 June).
40. Wainwright, S.P. (2009) Innovations & Identities in Sociology, Medicine, Science & The Arts. Inaugural Lecture. CBAS Launch & Conference: Perspectives on Medicine, Science & Society. King’s College London (18 June).
Centre for Biomedicine & Society (CBAS) Workshop on:
Selling Science? Academy-Industry Interactions in Stem Cell Research
Economic & Social Research Council Stem Cell Initiative (ESRC SCI) Friday 14 September 2007, King's College London
For a PDF of further details please click here