Stem Cell Day 2010 Wednesday, October 6, 2010 Stem Cell Awareness Day 2010 brought together organizations and individuals around the world working to ensure that we realize the benefits of one of the most promising fields of science in our time. The day is a unique global opportunity to foster greater understanding about stem cell research and the range of potential applications for disease and injury. For the millions of people around the world who suffer from incurable diseases and injury, Stem Cell Awareness Day is a day to celebrate the scientific advances made to-date and be hopeful of what is yet to come. Poetry Contest Celebrates Stem Cell Awareness Day CIRM once again sponsored a poetry contest to celebrate Stem Cell Awareness Day. The winners) will receive a framed stem cell image of their choice from those on the CIRM flickr Website http://www.flickr.com/photos/cirm. Read the 2010 stem cell poetry contest winners here Read the 2009 stem cell poetry contest winners here 2010 Events California University of California, San Diego University of California, Irvine The Parkinson's Institute and Clinical Center The Scripps Research Institute University of California, Merced University of California, Davis University of California, San Francisco San Francisco: Stem Cells and HIV/AIDS U.S. World Stem Cell Summit Phoenix Therapeutics University of Wisconsin Texans for Stem Cell Research University of Minnesota All About Cord Blood.com International Stem Cell Network, Canada Monash Immunology and Stem Cell Laboratories, Australia Irish Stem Cell Foundation North East England Stem Cell Institute (NESCI) World Stem Cell Day The World Stem Cell Summit takes place in Detroit October 4-6, 2010. Phoenix Therapeutics http://www.phoenixtherapeutics.co.za Once again the program is soliciting from New York State investigators stem cell images that are visually compelling and effectively convey scientific content. The top 12 images will be posted on the NYSTEM website as a slide show, and will be incorporated into a 2011 calendar available for downloading from the website. The 2009 contest elicited spectacular images which were also incorporated into a downloadable calendar. visit: webmaster@stemcell.ny.gov for more information. STEM CELL AWARENESS DAY at the UNIVERSITY of WISCONSIN The UW-Madison Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine Center (SCRMC) and its partners, including the Morgridge Institute for Research and WiCell Research Institute, have been busy with several promotional and educational events and activities leading up to Stem Cell Awareness Day Oct. 6. These include: -- Presenting hands-on stem cell science activities as part of a free day of public outreach and education at the Detroit Science Museum on Oct. 3, 2010. ( http://www.worldstemcellsummit.com/public-education) --Releasing the SCRMC's Year-in-Review report (http://www.stemcells.wisc.edu/) filled with science highlights and other stem cell contributions from UW-Madison. --Authoring an update on stem cell and regenerative medicine research, education, funding and economic impact in Wisconsin for the World Stem Cell Report published by the Genetics Policy Institute. --Ongoing community and school outreach programs (http://www.stemcells.wisc.edu/education/outreach.html) --Involvement in a September press conference (http://newsroom.stemcells.wisc.edu/18361) by Governor Jim Doyle on the critical importance of human embryonic stem cell research to patients, researchers, students and the public. University of Wisconsin Stem Cell Research Press Conference Contact: Jordana Lenon, jlenon@primate.wisc.edu   Hands on activities at the Detroit Science Center University of California, San Diego The scientists, students, and staff of the UC San Diego Stem Cell Program invite members of the UCSD community, patient advocates, patients, caregivers, teachers, students, and others to this public forum. The forum will take place at UCSD's Leichtag BioMedical Research Building, from 12 noon to 1 pm on Wednesday, October 6, 2010. Light refreshments will be served.   All are welcome to hear and discuss how UCSD's innovative scientific teams use the latest research discoveries to advance human health. Our scientists, doctors, and students will show you the kind of scientific community that encourages collaborative, interdisciplinary work at UC San Diego.   Attendees learning about stem cell research at UCSD   Panelists will include: Martin Marsala, MD; Karl Willert, PhD; Alyssum Muotri, PhD; Kristen Brennand, PhD; Leah Boyer, BS; Michael Hefferan, MS; and others, possibly including Paulina Ordonez, MD. INTERNATIONAL STEM CELL AWARENESS DAY at UC - Irvine Stem Cell Research Symposium: We are pleased to announce that the Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center, a CIRM Institute, will host a Stem Cell Research Symposium on Friday, October 8, from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM in the Sue and Bill Gross Hall-A CIRM Institute (4th Floor). A reception and student poster session will follow the lectures.   UC Irvine scientists from across disciplines will present basic and translational stem cell research findings on a number of disease-related topics, with time for Q&A after each lecture. Speakers will include Paolo Sassone-Corsi, Leslie Lock, Arthur Lander, Anne Calof, Albert Zlotnik, Leif Havton, Brian Cummings, Aileen Anderson, Lisa Flanagan.   At 5PM, please join us for "Meet the Scientists" reception and student poster session presented by CIRM Fellows.   We encourage graduate students, postdocs and faculty from across campus to join this event. Breakfast and a light lunch will be served to those who RSVP to Lila at lila.s@uci.edu (subject: Symposium).   Open House: The Stem Cell Research Center at the University of California, Irvine, will host an OPEN HOUSE for K-12 Educators on October 6, 2010, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. You will be able to meet UC Irvine scientists and listen to a panel discussion on cutting edge stem cell research in Huntington.s Disease. A tour of the stem cell research laboratory will follow. The event will be at Sue and Bill Gross Hall, a CIRM Institute. Refreshments will be served. Please RSVP ASAP to Lila at lila.s@uci.edu. STEM CELL AWARENESS DAY 2010 at The Parkinson's Institute and Clinical Center On Wednesday, October 6th, from 1 PM to 2:30 PM the Parkinson.s Institute will host an event featuring four researchers who will discuss current topics in stem cell research with a focus on Parkinson.s disease. Please RSVP to (408)734-2800 or info@thepi.org. The speakers will include: Christopher Thomas Scott, Director, Stanford Program on Stem Cells in Society, Center for Biomedical Ethics Tzvia Abramson, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, San Jose State University Berta Strulovici, Ph.D., Chief Technology Officer, IPierian Birgitt Schuele, MD, Clinical Molecular Geneticist, The Parkinson.s Institute The Parkinson.s Institute is at 675 Almanor Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA 94085. STEM CELL AWARENESS DAY at the STEM CELL NETWORK in CANADA Cells I See art contest For the third consecutive year, the .Cells I See. art contest has attracted some of the most incredible stem cell images and art in Canada. This year, the contest is open to entries from around the globe and it promises to be a fantastic competition. Past winners have been featured on magazine covers, post cards, calendars and web sites. There's only one category: stem cells. Deadline for entry is October 12, 2010. Images must be original photographs or 2D artwork. Full contest details can be found at www.stemcellnetwork.ca/cellsisee.   Eighteen Bridges magazine launch, Thursday, October 7, Matrix Hotel, Edmonton, Alberta The inaugural issue of Eighteen Bridges examines stem cells and the genetic revolution. Content for this issue delves into reality vs. perception and the disconnect between hard science and the humanities. Contributing writers include Eric Meslin, Timothy Caulfield, David Grant and Paul Cassar and featured artists include Sean Caulfield, Roy Mills, Marilene Oliver, Liz Ingram, Bernd Hildebrandt, Shona Macdonald, Derek Besant and Clint Wilson. The event will feature renowned stem cell ethicist, Timothy Caulfield. Visit http://eighteenbridges.com for more information. Contact: Lisa Willemse, Director of Communications, lwillemse@stemcellnetwork.ca STEM CELL AWARENESS DAY at SCRIPPS RESEARCH INSTITUTE in SAN DIEGO Scripps will host a presentation on Autism on October 6, 2010. Sandra Weber, a patient advocate, and her autistic son, Eric, will be speaking. Scripps will also present scientific work we are doing on autism. There will also be lab tours. The events will start at 10:45 AM and go until noon. Both scientists and lay people are invited. Contact: Suzanne Peterson, Scripps Institute, Suzanne@scripps.edu A researcher at Scripps Research Institute looks at stem cells under a microscope STEM CELL AWARENESS DAY at UC-MERCED The University of California, Merced, will celebrate Stem Cell Awareness Day by inviting members of the community and university supporters to campus to learn more about stem cells, the campus' research, existing therapies and the importance of the foundry.   The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. on October 6th with a reception in front of the Classroom and Office Building (COB).   Guests will have a chance to meet some of the campus researchers. Presentations begin at 6 p.m. inside COB 116. For more, contact Scott Jason at sjason@ucmerced.edu or 209-228-4408. Stem Cell Weekend at North East England Stem Cell Institute (NESCI) On 2nd & 3rd October, the weekend preceding Stem Cell Awareness Day, NESCI and the Centre for Life are bringing Stem Cells to the MetroCentre, one of Europe’s largest indoor shopping malls. NESCI, a stem cell research initiative in the North East of England and Centre for Life work together to engage with the local community, explaining the nature of our work.   Shoppers will be encouraged to investigate our exhibits and activities as they pass by to learn about stem cells and explore the ethical debate surrounding their use. Science Explainers from the Centre for Life and representatives of key patient groups will also be present to engage with the passing public.   The particular focus for this event is the increasing popularity of stem cell tourism, and it will examine the potential benefits and pitfalls of travelling abroad for stem cell treatments.     Contact: Helen Clamp, North East England Stem Cell Institute (NESCI), helen.clamp@newcastle.ac.uk Stem Cell Awareness Day at UC-Davis UC-Davis will be hosting a quarterly community outreach forum on October 26th. The details for this forum and videos from previous community outreach forums can be accessed by clicking on "Stem Cell Dialogues" videos in the right-hand column of the UC-Davis Stem Cell Institute homepage: http://www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/stemcellresearch/ .   STEM CELL AWARENESS DAY at The Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research at UCSF UCSF is celebrating Stem Cell Awareness Day by hosting a tour of the new stem cell building designed by Rafael Viñoly on Wednesday, October 6th from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Attendees will get a preview of the lab space and learn about design and construction of the building which was funded in part by public money. Please register for the tour (RSVP) with Gien Gip at (415) 476-3632 or via email at ggip@support.ucsf.edu.   STEM CELL AWARENESS DAY in AUSTIN, TEXAS Texans for Stem Cell Research (TSCR) will be the proud host of the Texas edition of World Stem Cell Awareness Day Wednesday, October 6 at 10:30 AM at Austin Heart in Austin, Texas. The focus of TSCS's event will be the stem cell clinical trial currently being conducted by Roger Gammon M.D., at Austin Heart. This work will give researchers more critical knowledge of how stem cell therapy can save lives. Scientists in Texas are currently conducting 517 stem cell clinical trials. These trials range from multiple sclerosis, cancer and diabetes to Parkinson’s disease and more. Come to the event for a chance to hear from an Austin doctor on the front lines of this exciting new science. Light refreshments will be served.   There will also be a Press Conference held on the steps of the state capitol in celebration of Stem Cell Awareness Day. Video of the press conference More events will follow later in the month: "There's Hope" ANNUAL SYMPOSIUM: Ongoing Research Concepts for Stem Cell Therapies and the 5th ANNUAL SWINGIN' and SINGIN' for CURES for STEM CELL RESEARCH. These events will occur on October 27th and 28th, 2010. Contact David Bales, Chairman of Texans for Stem Cell Research, bales@txstemcell.org, (512) 797-2703, to find out more information or visit www.txstemcell.org.   Contact David Bales, Chairman of Texans for Stem Cell Research, bales@txstemcell.org, (512) 797-2703, to find out more information or visit www.txstemcell.org.   STEM CELL AWARENESS DAY at the University of Minnesota Research Conferences: Rita Perlingeiro, SCI Faculty, Associate Professor and Lillehei Endowed Scholar, Lillehei Heart Institute and Department of Medicine. "From ES/iPS Cells to Skeletal Muscle Precursors" Wednesday, October 6th; 4 PM; 1-110 MTRF Building (2001 6th Street SE)   Meri Firpo, SCI Faculty, Assistant Professor Depts Medicine and Surgery, Schulze Diabetes Institute. "Human Pluripotent Stem Cells and a Cure for Type 1 Diabetes" Endocrine City-Wide Conference Thursday October 7th; 4 PM; A110 Mayo Memorial Building.   Public Lecture: Jonathan Slack, Director Stem Cell Institute, Professor GCD Dept., Tulloch Chair of Stem Cell Biology "Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine: The Controversy and the Science" Headliners Monthly Forum Thursday, October 7, 2010; 7 PM; tickets $15 Continuing Education and Conference Center, University of Minnesota, St. Paul campus   STEM CELL AWARENESS DAY in AUSTRALIA October 6th Hosted by Monash Immunology and Stem Cell Laboratories (MISCL), Monash University. Our online public forum features video presentations from high profile Australian speakers on topics such as: - Basic concepts in stem cell science - Ethical and regulatory issues associated with stem cell research - Recent advances in the application of stem cell technologies   We invite you to explore our Stem Cell Awareness Day website, and learn more. http://www.stemcellawarenessday.com For more information, contact Samantha Harris, Ph: 61-3-9905 0627; e-mail: samantha.harris@med.monash.edu.au   STEM CELL AWARENESS DAY Webinar Sponsored by All About Cord Blood.com   Sign in to http://www.allaboutcordblood.com/ at 4pm Eastern on October 6th!   In honor of stem cell awareness day we will be discussing the importance of cord blood preservation! The progress that has been made and what the future holds!   Natalie Curry will be joined by a very, very special guest (maybe two), prominent figures in the cord blood industry. They have been a tremendous influence, not only to me, but to many others!   She is going to be giving away a GIFT to the first person who sends her an email with a question regarding cord blood and next week’s webinar. The winner’s question will answered LIVE! So make sure and watch to find out if you won!   Please make sure to include your first and last name with your question. Send them to natalie@allaboutcordblood.com   STEM CELL AWARENESS DAY in IRELAND   The Irish Stem Cell Foundation is celebrating International Stem Cell Awareness Day on October 6th by hosting a free public lecture in the Arts Millenium Building (Room: AM 110, Time: 7.00pm) at the NUI Galway. Two of the directors Martin Codyre and Dr. Stephen Sullivan will discuss stem cell science and medicine and common related misconceptions. They will also discuss stem cell tourism and Ireland's need to develop stem cell legislation.   The Foundation will also conduct a series of interviews with national media outlets.   For more information go to www.irishstemcellfoundation.org or our twitter feed at http://twitter.com/irishstemcell Stem Cells and HIV/AIDS: An Event in San Francisco on October 18th A group of stem cell advocates in San Francisco decided to hold a CIRM-sponsored event to celebrate Stem Cell Awareness Month. Jeff Sheehy and Stephen LeBlanc were the speakers as 30 people gathered to discuss the tremendous progress that is being made in HIV/AIDS research involving stem cells.   The 30th anniversary of the first reported case of AIDS is fast approaching. This group of HIV/AIDS advocates felt that an appropriate marking of that date would be a celebration of the recent advances in research. Jeff Sheehy is featured in this video about CIRM-funded stem cell based therapies under development for HIV/AIDS Stem Cell Day 2009 On Stem Cell Awareness Day 2009, CIRM grantees went to 47 schools throughout California to talk about stem cell research. These grantees reached nearly 5,000 students. Ellen Robey, Professor of Immunology and Pathogenesis at the University of California, Berkeley, visited El Cerrito High School.