iCeMS and MRC-CRM Hold Joint Symposium to Further Stem Cell S&T Collaboration

August 5, 2011

 

Poster/Flyer
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Leading scientists from Japan and Scotland met on July 25th at the University of Edinburgh for Extenal Linka conference entitled "Next Generation Stem Cells: Tools and Technologies" to discuss the latest developments in the field.

The conference -- a new phase in a series of joint efforts between Edinburgh's Extenal LinkMRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine (CRM) and Kyoto University's Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences (iCeMS) -- invited 10 recognized speakers mostly from these two institutions, drawing 150 academics and students.

Chaired by MRC-CRM Director Charles ffrench-Constant and Chairman Extenal LinkSir Ian Wilmut, discussions revolved around research and development in stem cells -- particularly embryonic and induced pluripotent stem (ES and iPS) cells -- as well as relevant methods and technologies for medical and industrial applications.

"I hope my talk, as well as this event, lead to further discussions and collaborations," said MRC-CRM group leader Tilo Kunath at the outset of his presentation. In his slides Dr. Kunath incorporated connections between his research and that of iCeMS Director Norio Nakatsuji and Prof. Motonari Uesugi, who had spoken earlier at the event.

"This study is attracting our particular attention," says Prof. ffrench-Constant, introducing iCeMS Assoc. Prof. Shintaro Sengoku to the audience. His presentation, entitled "Study on innovation management for biomedical industrial clusters: Case comparison of Edinburgh and Kyoto", resulted in an especially intensive audience discussion.

Prof. Yong Chen of the iCeMS participated via video conference from Paris, aided by his colleague Asst. Prof. Kenichiro Kamei on-site. The Chen lab showed close interest as they share much in common with Edinburgh Professor Mark Bradley, one of the speakers, in their engineering approaches to stem cell manipulation.

Other joint efforts in this partnership have included an iCeMS seminar by Sir Ian Wilmut, Prof. ffrench-Constant, and MRC-CRM Chief Operating Officer Gordon McLean held in January 2010, and a memorandum of understanding on academic collaboration signed in March 2011.

"We, the CRM, would certainly hope to collaborate further with the iCeMS, aiming for co-authored publications, for instance," said Prof. ffrench-Constant, followed and wholeheartedly welcomed by Prof. Nakatsuji in his closing remarks.

After the conference Prof. ffrench-Constant and Dr. McLean showed the Kyoto delegation around new facilities in the £60 million MRC-CRM building. "When I was a postdoc at MIT, I was tremendously impressed by not only the world-class research equipment but also the sophisticated architecture of the facilities. Visuals count a lot today to attract young researchers in particular. To that end, the main entrance will also serve as a small art gallery," said Prof ffrench-Constant at the beginning of the facility tour.

"The seamless flow -- from fundamental to translational research to clinical trials -- is our distinct advantage," said Prof ffrench-Constant, commenting on the proximity to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary and the Queen's Medical Research Institute of the university. "We strongly believe that this holistic framework will accelerate development of the regenerative medicine industry as a whole. A soon-to-be-completed incubator for biomedical start-ups, located within walking distance, will also play an important role."

Shared-use laboratories as well as glassed-in offices are installed throughout the floors as part of an effort to foster interactions among all faculty and staff, which happens to be an approach the iCeMS has also taken to offer an environment beneficial to researchers. The new building is set to open in late September 2011, starting with a few groups including the ffrench-Constant lab.

Symposium program

Symposium photos

 
The venue: the University of Edinburgh Queen's Medical Research Institute (QMRI)
 
   Inside the QMRI
The audience engaged in the presentation
 
MRC-CRM Director Charles ffrench-Constant giving opening remarks
 
   iCeMS Director Norio Nakatsuji
 
 
MRC-CRM Chairman Sir Ian Wilmut
 		   From left: Profs. Nakatsuji, Bradley, ffrench-Constant, and Kamei
 
 
MRC-CRM group leader David Hay
 
   iCeMS Prof. Motonari Uesugi
 
 
MRC-CRM group leader Tilo Kunath
 
   Cambridge Stem Cell Initiative Principal Investigator Ludovic Vallier
 
 
iCeMS Assoc. Prof. Shintaro Sengoku
 
   University of Edinburgh Prof. Mark Bradley
 
 
iCeMS Asst. Prof. Kenichiro Kamei
 
   iCeMS Prof. Yong Chen (right) participating via video conference from Paris
 
 
MRC-CRM group leader Keisuke Kaji
 
   MRC-CRM group leader Claus Nerlov
 
Prof. Nakatsuji engaging in a discussion from the floor

Facility tour photos

 
The exterior of the new MRC-CRM building
 
   An Edinburgh student interviewing Prof. Nakatsuji
 
 
MRC-CRM COO Gordon McLean (right) explaining the facilities
 
   Prof. ffrench-Constant leading the facility tour
 
 
The incubator for biomedical start-ups (background)
 
   Fostering ties: Profs. ffrench-Constant and Nakatsuji