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20 YEARS OF HUMAN EMBRYONIC STEM CELLS
SUNDAY, 23 JUNE 2019
Organised by the Special Interest Group Stem Cells
Course coordinators
Cristina Eguizabal (Spain) Course type
Basic
Course description
Embryonic stem cells (ESC) are pluripotent cells isolated from an early embryo and grown as a cell line in tissue culture dish. Their discovery came from the combination of previous studies in human pathology, mouse genetics, early mouse embryo development, cell surface immunology and tissue culture. ESC provided a crucial tool to study human genetics, modelling, development and physiology. They have not only revolutionized experimental mammalian genetics but, have now opened new therapeutic paths in regenerative medicine.
The derivation of the first human ESC lines 20 years ago heralded an explosion of public interest in stem cells, yet this achievement depended on prior decades of research on mouse ESCs. In turn, the recent derivation of mouse and human iPSC from somatic cells or from human SCNT embryos depended on the previous studies on mouse and human ESCs. Both human ESCs and iPSCs can self-renew indefinitely in vitro while maintaining the ability to differentiate into advanced derivatives of all three germ layers, features very useful for understanding the differentiation and function of human tissues, for drug screen and toxicity testing, and for cellular transplantation therapies in regenerative medicine fields.
In the proposed precongress course, we will review the history of human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) derivation, in the context of the scientific and technical environment at the time, then proceed to give a historical account of the development of the field of stem cell research with a special emphasis on regenerative medicine and clinical applications.
This 20th anniversary of the derivation of hESC lines offers an ideal opportunity to look back over the past 20 years in this field, as well as to look forward to what the future may hold. Target audience Nurses and midwifes, psychologists, physiothrapist, nutrionist, clinicians and patient associations.
Target audience
Embryologists, stem cell researchers, reproductive genetic researchers, clinicians
Educational needs and expected outcomes
This course will:
» review the history of human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)
» historical account of the development of the field of stem cell research
» discuss the use of stem cells in regenerative medicine and clinical applications
PRECONGRESS COURSE 13 I VIENNA, AUSTRIA – 23 JUNE 2019 03