Scottish stem cell network to host international event

The Scottish Stem Cell Network (SSCN) and Scottish Development International will host a major international stem cell meeting on March 4 and 5, 2005 at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre.

Delegates including Professor Roger Pederson, of regenerative medicine at the University of Cambridge, England; Dr Jane Lebkowski, senior vice president of cell and gene therapies at Geron in the US; Dr Ron Mckay, the chief of the laboratory of molecular biology in the Basic Neuroscience Program of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke in the US; and others. This event was developed to create an environment for open dialogue between scientists, clinicians, investors and the public.

The SSCN has been prominent in setting up international initiatives in stem cell research and the organization's partners from Europe, the US, Canada, and Australasia will be attending the conference where policy discussions will be held alongside scientific presentations.

'Scotland is one of the world's leading locations and innovators in the area of life science,' said David Smith, director, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Scottish Development International.

He continued: 'Stem Cells 2005: progress to therapy? is the first of many cutting-edge life science events that Scotland is participating in during 2005 that demonstrate our country's innovation in their sector. Scottish Development International is pleased to participate in organizing such an exciting and topical event.'

As the stem cell debate around the globe continues to heat up, attendees at this event will have the opportunity to participate in discussions with leaders in the world of stem cell technology and focus on a variety of topics, including stem cell plasticity, stem cells and the therapy of diabetes, the commercial landscape for stem cell research and embryonic stem cells.

'Stem cell therapies have quickly become one of the hottest topics in the medical industry,' said Professor Bernat Soria, chairman of the European Stem Cell Network and head of the Institute of Bioengineering at the University of Miguel Hernandez, Alicante, Spain.

'With cutting-edge r&d and new developments in stem cell research being made everyday, Scotland is the ideal venue for this event and I look forward to presenting to the event's global attendees in March.'