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2nd March 2012 Abcam
Fernando Camargo (Harvard Stem Cell Institute, US) will be co-chairing Abcam's upcoming event, Stem Cells to Tissues with Laurie Boyer (MIT, US). The one day meeting taking place in Boston, US, has brought together an impressive list of invited speakers.
Recently the Abcam events team sat down with Stem Cell to Tissues conference chair Fernando Camargo, to discuss the upcoming conference.
Q: What exciting research projects have been occurring in your lab?
"For a one-day meeting, the quality of the speakers is unparalleled"
— Fernando Camargo
We have been studying how organ size control mechanisms can impinge upon stem cell activity and differentiation. We are very excited about this line of research because the biology of organ and tissue size control are very poorly understood, so our findings have the potential to uncover novel paradigms and mechanisms that orchestrate stem cell behavior . This, we hope, will provide important insight for the manipulation of stem cells in the context of regenerative therapies.
Q: How did you first connect with Abcam and come to chair this conference?
Through my co-chair Laurie Boyer. She has been the chair of outstanding Abcam conferences in the past, and we decided that it would be a great time to have a meeting focused on stem cell biology and topics at the interface between basic science and clinical application.
Q: What were your motivations to organize a conference on Stem Cells to Tissues?
"I am particularly looking to hear from Doug Melton. He has really been a pioneer on the study of endodermal stem cells and the development of new approaches to understand pancreatic regeneration"
— Fernando Camargo
The field of stem cell research has moved at a frenetic pace over the past decade. While in general clinical application of basic stem cell research has not fully materialized, we felt that the scientific community is at a crucial juncture where basic insights are allowing some of these challenges to be overcome. Thus, we felt that this was a good time to get the leaders of the field together and highlight the latest advancements that might drive the field and potential clinical utility for years to come.
Q: What makes this meeting different from other stem cell meetings?
For a one-day meeting, the quality of the speakers is unparalleled. Additionally, though all the speakers have the common overriding interest of understanding the biology of regeneration, given their different backgrounds, the multiple models, perspectives and approaches presented make this a singular meeting.
Q: What new and exciting developments may we hear more of at the meeting?
I think we have an incredible line of speakers. We might hear the latest developments on the clinical application of epithelial stem cells for the treatment of disease, the use of novel mRNA delivery technology to treat heart disease, and the most recent insights into regenerative processes in model organisms.Q: We have a great line up of speakers for the conference. Is there a particular topic or speaker you are looking forward to hearing?
I am particularly looking to hear from Doug Melton. He has really been a pioneer on the study of endodermal stem cells and the development of new approaches to understand pancreatic regeneration. I am also looking forward to hear from our keynote speaker, Hans Clevers. His work really represents what this conference is all about, pioneering basic science that can be translated into patient therapies.Q: Who do you think would be most interested in this meeting?
Everyone with an interest in stem cell biology and regenerative medicine.In addition, this meeting is hosting a poster prize worth up to $1000. Please visit the Stem Cells to Tissues event page for complete rules and conditions.
