Cedars-Sinai International Stem Cell Symposium to Address Leading Causes of Blindness
World's premier stem cell scientists to present research focused on the treatment of degenerative diseases of the retina.
Age related macular degeneration remains the leading cause of blindness in the United States for individuals over the age of fifty and inherited diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa currently have no adequate medical treatment. As such, the need for collaboration and the exchange of valuable information has never been greater. In this light, the Cedars-Sinai International Stem Cell Research Institute, in conjunction with the Eye Birth Defects Research Foundation, will host a symposium on 1 October 2007 featuring an international line-up of world-renowned stem cell scientists whose research focuses on retinal degeneration. The symposium will take place in the Harvey Morse Auditorium of the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California.
According to Yaron S. Rabinowtiz, MD, Director of Ophthalmology Research at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and Director of the Eye Birth Defects Research Foundation, "Recent scientific reports suggest that implanting stem cells in eyes of animals may have the potential to repair damaged cells in retinal degenerations. This symposium will synthesize the current knowledge in this area and is the first step in our quest to foster research which could ultimately lead to cures for these blinding eye diseases."
The Cedars-Sinai International Stem Cell Research Institute aims to bring laboratory discoveries from the bench to the bedside in quickest, safest way possible. Inaugurated in July 2006, the international institute is co-directed by developmental geneticist Nissim Benvenisty, M.D, Ph.D., who is recognized worldwide for his discoveries and innovations in the development and modification of stem cells, and David I. Meyer, Ph.D., vice president for research at Cedars-Sinai. Drs. Rabinowitz, Benvenisty, and Meyer serve as organizers for the symposium and will host a line-up of 10 speakers whose findings in the field of vision research and stem cell biology has resulted in numerous publications in top-tier academic journals.
Dr. Nissim Benvenisty, co-director of the institute, stated, "The 21st century is recognized as the century of the cell. Our aim is to encourage collaborations between stem cell investigators and clinicians to make cell therapy a reality for a large array of human disorders."
For further information on the Retinal Stem Cell Symposium, please contact Beeta Benjy at (310) 423-1202 or by e-mail at beeta.benjy@cshs.org .
