Our mission: Professional dialogue

The European Society for Animal Cell Technology is a Society which brings together scientists, engineers and other specialists working with animal cells in order to promote communication of experiences between European and International investigators and progress the development of cell systems and productions derived from them.

Goals

ESACT was founded in 1976 to create a forum for the exchange of ideas on biological and engineering techniques to promote knowledge and the use of human and animal cells e.g. for the manufacturing of products.

Our members are scientists and engineers in academic, medical and industrial R&D and production at applied science institutions and universities, in the medical services, in industry, and in the political and regulatory bodies.

ESACT actively encourages interactions between academia, governmental and policy making agencies and the manufacturing and service industries.

Scientific Interests

ESACT focuses on the entire animal cell production process from the initial genetic studies of the cells through the stages of process development and validation, production, intensification, purification, regulatory issues for product release, to the efficacy, safety, testing and application of the final product.

Range of ESACT’s interests:

Derivation, characterization, acceptance and validation of cell lines
Optimization/enhancement of the biochemical and physiological cell behaviour
Process design, optimization, scale-up and technology transfer (up/downstream)
Biosynthesis and processing of cell products
Cells and vectors for genetic medicine/therapy
Tissue engineering and biomedical devices
Cells as tools for product discovery and testing
Replacement of animals in testing and research

The ESACT Organization

The Society is headed by the Executive Committee (XC) consisting of 8 members. Regular members without function and members with function (Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Treasurer and Secretary) represent the Society. A member with function can hold this function for two terms of 2 years. Members without a function stay in the XC for one term of 2 years.

Then the positions of regular members are to be voted on by all ESACT members at the upcoming elections during the biennial ESACT Meetings. The final vote will be announced during the General Assembly at this meeting. This means that every two years the members of the XC change. Additionally, the Society has one person for administrative help at ESACT office.

The early career scientists and researchers of the society are represented by the ESACT Frontiers group.