|
Heart stem cell scientist to honor pioneering woman scientist in keynote speech
April 10, 2008Professor Christine Mummery, one of the world's leading heart stem cell experts, will later today (9 April) honour the memory of Dame Anne McLaren in the keynote lecture of the inaugural UK National Stem Cell Network Science Meeting in Edinburgh. Dr McLaren was an early pioneer of the study of embryonic germ cells and her research directly contributed to the development of IVF treatments and stem cell techniques.
Prof Mummery from the Netherlands is a leading expert in the study of cardiomyocytes- the beating cells of the heart - most particularly those derived from stem cells. She will inform the delegates at the UKNSCN conference that Dr McLaren was a leading figure in guiding the stem cell research community in learning the language and ethics of working with early human embryos in research. She will say that the UK regulations, which have allowed the country to take a strong lead in stem cell research, are in part due to Dr McLaren's thoughtful input to the various committees that first examined the laws needed to govern IVF treatment.
Speaking ahead of her lecture, Prof Mummery said: "Anne McLaren was one of the most thoughtful and sensitive stem cell scientists the scientific community has seen. Her views not only influenced the direction of UK regulation of the field - which has helped thousands of couples through IVF treatment - but also scientists considering ethical and regulatory questions across Europe.
"Anne was also an excellent communicator of her research and, as well as commemorating her work, my lecture will highlight some of the cutting edge advances in today's stem cell research field."
Prof Mummery's lab in The Netherlands is a world leader in the study of the basic development of the heart and how embryonic stem cells differentiate into the cardiac and vascular cells that make up the adult heart.
Prof Mummery said: "Stem cell therapies have the potential to help us to treat and manage a wide range of diseases and conditions. Using stem cells to repair hearts damaged by disease could be one of the most promising in the near future. There are hurdles still to overcome but we have made real progress in producing the right sort of cells that would be needed."
Speaking on behalf of Dr McLaren's family, Professor Susan Michie said: "We are delighted that Professor Mummery will give this important lecture in honour of Anne. The presentation of cutting edge stem cell research, which has such huge potential for improving the health and well-being of people the world over, would have delighted Anne. Anne thought that society was the poorer for often overlooking the huge talent amongst women scientists; it is therefore very appropriate that a world-renowned woman scientist is delivering this lecture."
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
"Anne was also an excellent communicator of her research and, as well as commemorating her work, my lecture will highlight some of the cutting edge advances in today's stem cell research field."
Prof Mummery's lab in The Netherlands is a world leader in the study of the basic development of the heart and how embryonic stem cells differentiate into the cardiac and vascular cells that make up the adult heart.
Prof Mummery said: "Stem cell therapies have the potential to help us to treat and manage a wide range of diseases and conditions. Using stem cells to repair hearts damaged by disease could be one of the most promising in the near future. There are hurdles still to overcome but we have made real progress in producing the right sort of cells that would be needed."
Speaking on behalf of Dr McLaren's family, Professor Susan Michie said: "We are delighted that Professor Mummery will give this important lecture in honour of Anne. The presentation of cutting edge stem cell research, which has such huge potential for improving the health and well-being of people the world over, would have delighted Anne. Anne thought that society was the poorer for often overlooking the huge talent amongst women scientists; it is therefore very appropriate that a world-renowned woman scientist is delivering this lecture."
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
Stem Cell News and Current Stem Cell Events RSSHow embryonic stem cells develop into tissue-specific cells demonstrated
While it has long been known that embryonic stem cells have the ability to develop into any kind of tissue-specific cells, the exact mechanism as to how this occurs has heretofore not been demonstrated.
Arsenic-based therapy shown to help eradicate leukemia-initiating cells
In both leukemia and solid tumors, there exists among the multitude of warrior cancer cells a small subgroup that work undercover, patiently lying in wait to launch their attacks.
Immune system pathway identified to fight allergens, asthma
For the first time, researchers from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have identified genetic components of dendritic cells that are key to asthma and allergy-related immune response malfunction.
Controlling embryonic fate by association
Association determines fate in embryonic stem cells, said Baylor College of Medicine researchers in a report that appears in the current issue of the journal Nature Cell Biology.
UCLA stem cell researchers create heart and blood cells from reprogrammed skin cells
Stem cell researchers at UCLA were able to grow functioning cardiac cells using mouse skin cells that had been reprogrammed into cells with the same unlimited properties as embryonic stem cells.
Scientists Find Stem Cells For the First Time in the Pituitary
A team of researchers led by scientists at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have for the first time identified stem cells that allow the pituitary glands of mice to grow even after birth.
Heart derived stem cells develop into heart muscle
Dutch researchers at University Medical Center Utrecht and the Hubrecht Institute have succeeded in growing large numbers of stem cells from adult human hearts into new heart muscle cells.
Medical College researchers find dinosaur clues in fat
A team of researchers at New York Medical College has discovered why birds, unlike mammals, lack a tissue that is specialized to generate heat.
Menstrual blood -- a valuable source of multipotential stem cells?
Researchers seeking new and more abundant sources of stem cells for use in regenerative medicine have identified a potentially unlimited, noncontroversial, easily collectable, and inexpensive source - menstrual blood.
A stem cell type supposed to be crucial for angiogenesis and cancer growth does not exist?
Angiogenesis, the growth of new blood vessels, is a central process in diverse physiological and pathological situations such as healing of wounds and traumas, cardiovascular disorders, inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, and in cancer growth.
More Stem Cell News Articles
 | Embryo: A Defense of Human Life by Robert P. George, Christopher Tollefsen |
 | My Sister's Keeper: A Novel by Jodi Picoult |
 | The Oxygen Revolution: Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: The Groundbreaking New Treatment for Stroke, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Arthritis, Autism, Learning Disabilities and More by Paul G. Harch, Virginia Mccullough |
 | Miracle Stem Cell Heart Repair: (For Heart Attack, Heart Failure and Bypass Patients) by Christian Wilde |
 | The Stem Cell Dilemma: Beacons of Hope or Harbingers of Doom? by Leo Furcht, William Hoffman |
 | Irreparable Harm by Randy D. Singer |
 | The Stem Cell Divide: The Facts, the Fiction, and the Fear Driving the Greatest Scientific, Political, and Religious Debate of Our Time by Michael Bellomo |
 | The Stem Cell Controversy: Debating the Issues (Contemporary Issue Series) |
 | Stem Cell Century: Law and Policy for a Breakthrough Technology by Russell Korobkin |
 | Umbilical Cord Stem Cell Therapy: The Gift of Healing from Healthy Newborns by David A. Steenblock, Anthony G., Ph.D. Payne |
| © 2008 BrightSurf.com |