Stem Cell Symposium 2016

On 27 January, the third Stem Cell Symposium took place at the Hadyn Ellis Building, Cardiff University.

Organised by the Cardiff Institute of Tissue Engineering and Repair, in conjunction with the European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute and the Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, the Stem Cell Symposium, gathered together 130 delegates from Cardiff, Bath, Bristol, Exeter, and Swansea. This years’ symposium was dedicated to the memory of our colleague and friend Professor Alan Clarke.

The symposium was specifically designed to give early career researchers the opportunity to showcase their research talents. The breadth and scope of stem cell research from across South West England and South Wales was presented, from tissue engineering to cancer, from developmental biology to regeneration, and even a stem cell orchestra. A session of ‘quick fire’ three minute flash presentations maximised the number of talks and led to much discussion during the networking breaks.

In addition, Mrs Anne Whipp, a long-standing supporter of the European Cancer Stem Cell Institute, delivered a highly motivational address, highlighting the public's interest in sound, promising research, and the importance of continued engagement with existing and potential supporters.To many of those present she re-confirmed the reasons why they undertake scientific research – ultimately for patient benefit.

The event's keynote speaker, Professor Francesco Dazzi, from King’s College London, discussed the potential of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (MSCs) in regenerative medicine and specifically immune tolerance. He eloquently described how MSCs utilise inflammatory molecules to exert their immunomodulatory actions and how this activity is linked to changes in the metabolism of amino acids. The description of MSCs as real life, potent immunosuppresors in clinical situations was particularly convincing. Encouragingly, there is much further hope in this area for patients.

The final session concluded with the prize announcements, which this year went to:

• Stephany May (Cardiff University) for her poster Molecular and functional characterisation of the chemopreventive effects of polyphenols in intestinal cancer - sponsored by BioLegend
• Kleio Petratou (Bath University) for her oral presentation Constructing gene regulatory networks underlying fate specification of multipotent stem cells in the vertebrate neural crest - sponsored by New England Biolabs
• Giusy Tornillo (Cardiff University) for the flash presentation closest to the three minutes (2mins 58secs) - Development of a mammary stem cell gene signature as a prognostic tool in breast cancer

The symposium closed with a networking event, where lively discussions around stem cells took place over drinks and nibbles.

The success of this bi-annual symposium confirms that free, one-day events such as this are vital to promote the exchange of ideas between research groups/stem cell sub-fields and to help the establishment of new collaborations, especially between neighbouring Universities.

Of course the hosting of the event would not be possible without the support of sponsors so a huge thank you goes out to the seventeen companies who supported the event.

For information about the next Stem Cell Day, or if you would like to get involved in the organisation of our next event, please contact Jane Graves.