International stem cell summit from November 14

Chennai, Nov 12 (UNI) The Department of Biotechnology, IIT, Madras and Lifeline Hospitals, which have been working together for advancement of stem cell research, will organise the first ''International Stem Cell Summit India-2008'' here from November 14 to 16.

The two institutions have floated a joint venture to work for the advancement of stem cell research and clinical applications using Cell Biology, Biomaterials and Nano technology.

The summit is being organised to envisage greater opportunities in stem cell technologies. The summit theme ''Stem Cell and its Opportunities in Transplantation and Tissue Regeneration'', reflects a promising tool for treating various diseases, Dr Rama S Verma, Associate Professor, Department of Biotechnology, IIT-Madras said at a press conference here today.

He said ''stem cell technology being a promising area, the conference aims to reflect and recapitulate the scientific and technological mechanisms in stem cell therapy and to foresee future advancements and prospects''.

Dr A Sivathanu Pillai, CEO and MD, Brahmos Aerospace would be the chief guest at the summit and deliver the inaugural address, he said. The conference aims to summarize the scientific and technological achievements in the field of Stem Cell Therapy and also to envision the future prospects and progress in this area.

Speakers and clinicians from different parts of the world would be participating in this conference in order to share their knowledge, thereby educating students in stem cell technology.

The conference would have experts from Christian Medical College, Vellore, University of Washington, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Ludwigs Maximilians University, Germany, AIIMS, New Delhi.

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