Meetings and Events: International Symposium on

"NEW Frontiers in Human Stem Cell Research"

"New Frontiers in Human Stem Cell Research" is a cutting edge symposium on science and regulation in the stem cell field. This symposium will immediately follow the International Stem Cell Forum (ISCF, http://www.stemcellforum.org/) Clinical Grade Stem Cell Banking Meeting. Participants selected from the 21 ISCF member countries and a few invited non-member countries (including a very few commercial and funding agencies) are expected to attend this symposium. Discussion panels and lectures on stem cell biology as well as a hands-on lab training session will be offered.

The goal of this advanced workshop is to raise awareness for important issues that investigators should consider regarding research in stem cell and regenerative medicine, from fundamental studies to clinical applications. This symposium is organized in three parts, including a unique hands-on training course for PI-level investigators aiming to prepared them to lead their groups in the most state-of-the-art stem cell research in the near future.

Part I (Day 1, April 19) covers global views of regulation, collaboration and other important issues relating to human stem cell research. Speakers representing world and regional regulatory bodies (e.g. WHO, FDA, MHRA, etc), major stem cell societies and organizations (E.g. ISCF, ISSCR, etc) will give presentations during this first day. Other topics including social issues (e.g. patents, press influences and patient aspects) and stem cell ethics and stem cell delivery will also be discussed.

Part II (Day 2, April 20) will cover stem cell biology with topics from fundamental research to clinical applications, also incorporating the newest advances in this fast-paced field. Topics will include stem cell characterization, differentiation (including tissue-specific applications) and quality control and assessment. The most recent progress in stem cell technology and regeneration medicine will be presented (such as iPS, disease models and epigenetic regulation). In addition, the important issues leading to clinical grade banking and its applications will be discussed.

Part III (Days 3-5, April 21-23) is a hands-on training course for PI-level investigators (SE Asian and other international project PIs) who are currently or will be engaged in stem cell research related to clinical applications. Parts I & II are prerequisites for part III and serve as the background and theoretical component of the hands-on training session.? Through this three-part workshop, participants will be prepared to lead their groups in the most state-of-the-art stem cell research, and for some to have a smooth transition from foundamental research to clinical related applications.

Wherase Part III participants will be selected through a standard application process, the symposium (Parts I & II) is open to a general audience from the stem cell community. The symposium organizers invite researchers from all levels (especially our fellow graduate students and post-doc trainees who are interested in stem cell research) to attend this exciting convention.Speakers and instructors for this unique workshop/training session are mostly world renowned stem cell biologists selected from many of the appointed ISCF clinical banking meeting participants.

To apply for the hands-on training course, and to register for the post-ISCF International Symposium on "New Frontiers in Human Stem Cell Research" please visit us at http://www.ioz.ac.cn/iscfbanking2008 or http://devbiology.shsmu.edu.cn/~vip/iscfbanking2008. Spaces are limited for the hands-on training session, please act soon! For researcher from Chinese Institutions, please contact us for special instructions and funding opportunities at ISCFBanking2008@ioz.ac.cn and +86 (0) 10 64807306.

Web: http://www.ioz.ac.cn/iscfbanking2008 & http://devbiology.shsmu.edu.cn/~vip/iscfbanking2008