Stem cells workshop set down for UNSW

The University of NSW is holding a workshop on stem cells on November 19th for all NSW researchers working with or interested in working with stem cells.

According to one of the conference organisers, Dr Daniella Goldberg, from the Diabetes Transplant Unit at the Prince of Wales Hospital, the aim of the workshop is to form a NSW stem cell group to facilitate the exchange of ideas and information between researchers at research institutes around the state.

The workshop will include presentations by a number of researchers including Prof Bernie Tuch, who heads the Diabetes Transplant Unit, and Prof Richard Harvey from the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, as well as Assoc Prof Marcus Vowels of the Cord Stem Blood Bank, Prof Anne Cunningham from Sydney Children's Hospital, and Prof Minas Coroneo from the Prince of Wales Hospital.

The speakers will examine the potential for use of stem cells in diabetes, heart disease, haematopoietic disorders, neurological disorders and eye diseases.

In addition, Dr Megan Best from the UNSW School of Community Medicine will talk about ethics and Kerry Doyle from the NSW government's BioUnit will discuss legislative aspects.

After the end of the seminars, a workshop chaired by UNSW's Dean of Science, Prof Dennis Lincoln, will be held to form the NSW stem cells working group, which is planned to meet on a regular basis.

"Prof Harvey and Prof Tuch form the NSW node [of the National Stem Cells Centre], but a lot of other people are working on, or wanting to work on stem cells," Goldberg said.

Goldberg said that they were hoping to attract 200 participants to the workshop, and were encouraging students as well as researchers to come along.

She said that the workshop was just part of UNSW's interest in stem cell research. The university is also working to develop Australia's first stem cells education program for undergraduates and postgraduates in both the science and medical faculties.

"It's quite exciting for UNSW as it's a chance to be out in the forefront," said Goldberg.

• For more information, contact Dr Daniella Goldberg at d.goldberg@unsw.edu.au