The Centre for Stem Cell Biology (CSCB) at the University of Sheffield is welcoming some of the world’s leading experts to its International Human Embryonic Stem Cell Symposium on Friday 9 July 2004.
The CSCB is a world-leading centre for stem cell research, and has produced two of the UK’s six embryonic stem cell lines. The symposium will allow around 200 scientists to benefit from the experience of the world’s leading researchers in this area.
Embryonic stem cell technology is a new area of science and has the potential to offer cures for degenerative conditions such as multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease. Researchers at the University of Sheffield are working on developing stem cell technology to cure type 1 diabetes, by developing pancreas islet cells, which are responsible for producing insulin. Patients with this disease lose their islet cells to autoimmune disease. It is hoped that islet cells produced from embryonic stem cells can be used for cell replacement therapies.
Earlier in the week the CSCB hosted the second Practical Training Course in handling human embryonic stem cells. That course, conducted in conjunction with the UK Stem Cell Bank, and sponsored by the MRC, BBSRC and the Department of Health, aimed to introduce a group of 16 researchers to the techniques required for working with these cells.