Norio Nakatsuji Addresses Plenary at World Stem Cell Summit
October 6, 2011
Professor and iCeMS director Norio Nakatsuji appeared as a plenary speaker at the 
World Stem Cell Summit 2011 produced by U.S. nonprofit Genetics Policy Institute (GPI), taking place October 3-5 at the Pasadena Convention Center in California. The meeting this year attracted 1,400 participants -- the highest turnout since the event was first held in 2005.
"I think this is the most interesting panel of the three-day program," said GPI executive director Bernard Siegel at the outset of the plenary discussion on leading international institutions and their strategies for advancing regenerative medicine. "These panelists from Karolinska, Leipzig, and Kyoto -- the world's model institutions and powerhouses in stem cell research -- are of particular importance in bringing a global perspective to this summit."
The discussion panel chaired by Dr. Alain Vertes of London Business School included Drs. Frank Emmrich of the University of Leipzig, Karl-Henrik Grinnemo of the Karolinska Institute, and Nakatsuji. Topics addressed range from institutional efforts on a strategic level to novel approaches as well as technological challenges emerging in the field.
In an interview following the session Mr. Siegel also stressed the need of featured speakers from outside of the U.S. in further developing the event into the international arena, adding "we plan to invite a leading stem cell scientist from Japan next year as well."
VOA news producer Steve Norman interviewed Dr. Nakatsuji for his insights into issues and promises of the stem cell science. The questions include: "Tell us about your particular research -- the developmental biology of mammals focusing on germ cell lineage, nervous systems, and pluripotent stem cells," "Do you find the same sort of opposition [that exists in the U.S.] to stem cell research in Japan and elsewhere in Asia?" and "What are your personal goals with your stem cell work?" The interview is due to be aired on VOA Radio and published on the VOA News website later this month.
The conference has annually drawn around 1,000 researchers, industry leaders, lawmakers, regulators, patient advocates, legal experts, investors, and philanthropists from around 30 countries.
Organizing partners this year were: City of Hope, the Cedars-Sinai Regenerative Medicine Institute (RMI), the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), the California Institute of Technology, the University of South California Keck School of Medicine, the Saban Research Institute of Children's Hospital Los Angeles, and the Consulate General of Canada in Los Angeles. The iCeMS as well as the Harvard Stem Cell Institute (HSCI) were among the 120 organizations endorsing the event.
Quotes
"Speakers at the Summit will hail from around the world and will include some of the most prestigious leaders in this field. They will include recent National Medal of Science winner Dr. Rudolf Jaenisch, former Intel CEO Andy Grove, and Dr. Norio Nakatsuji, Director of the Institute for Integrated Cell Material Sciences at the Kyoto University, along with over 150 other world-renowned industry representatives."
Yahoo! Finance / GPI (September 29, 2011)Photos
The summit venue at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium
Intel Corp. former CEO Andrew S. Grove during his keynote address entitled "Translational Medicine: Key to Progress or Bridge to Nowhere?"
From left: GPI director of public outreach and development Alan Fernandez, GPI executive director Bernard Siegel
A plenary discussion featuring Drs. Emmrich, Grinnemo, and Nakatsuji
Dr. Nakatsuji addressing a plenary
From left: Cyterion President and CEO Gary W. Cleary and iCeMS professor Takashi Asada
CIRM hosting a booth at the exhibition
Poster presenters engaging with summit participants
Dr. Nakatsuji (foreground right) taking part in a roundtable discussion during the expert luncheon
Mr. Siegel presenting Stem Cell Action Awards in recognition of most positive impacts made on the stem cell and regenerative medicine community