International Treasure in Philadelphia—ISSCR

Over 2500 enthusiastic stem cell researchers from around the world convened at the 6^th annual meeting of the International Society for Stem Cell Research in Philadelphia June 11 to 14 to discuss the latest in stem cell research. The combination of plenary sessions, concurrent sessions and poster sessions provided ample opportunities for discovery and networking. The talks, from the Keynote Speaker (Sir John Gurdon) to the concluding Ann McClaren Memorial Lecturer (Rudolf Jaenish), and almost 1400 posters covered the full spectrum of stem cell biology—developmental biology and embryonic stem cells, culture conditions, cancer and adult stem cells, clinical translation, reprogramming, epigenetics, iPS cells. In addition to a plenary session on the topic, a panel comprised of the leaders in generating and characterizing iPS cells, under the leadership of ISSCR President George Daley, concluded that it is time to develop standards that scientifically define and characterize an iPS cell.

 

ISSCR (www.isscr.org) is organized to promote the exchange of information about stem cells in the professional and public forums and to encourage international research on stem cells. It has published guidelines on human ES cell research and its current work in progress, guidelines for clinical translation, is open for comment. In addition to the annual meeting, the society is in the planning smaller, topic centered, regional meetings to improve information exchange. Watch this site for more information.