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Till & McCulloch Meetings highlights stem cell regulation and therapeutics.
Posted On: December 19, 2016
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Conference attendee, Sumaiyah Rehman, Postdoctoral Fellow. Supervisor: Dr. Catherine O’Brien, PM
Conference: 2016 Till & McCulloch Meetings Oct 23-26, 2016, Whistler, BC
Conference Highlight: The meeting highlighted stem cell regulation in development and therapeutic potential in disease. Leading stem cell scientists (academic, industry), ethicists and trainees presented their work.
Conference Article:
The Till & McCulloch Meetings is Canada’s premier stem cells (SC) research conference which attracts top scientists, junior investigators and trainees interested in SC regulation and therapeutics. Computational biology and technological advancements drive research. Dr. Dunn (Cambridge Stem Cell Institute) discussed a new engine of interaction networks (REIN) that uses molecular computation to decipher SC behavior. Dr. Wheeler (University of Toronto) reported on the Digital microfluidic Immunocytochemistry in Single Cells (DISC) technique, which automates cell culture, stimulation (built-in electrochemical sensors) and immunocytochemistry. Dr. McGuigan (University of Toronto) presented the tissue roll for analysis of cellular environment and response (TRACER) system, a novel strategy to assemble layered, cell-defined, three-dimensional tumours with complex microenvironments in vitro that can be easily disassembled for cell phenotype and therapeutic response analysis.
In modeling SC behavior and therapeutics, contrary to the notion that all pluripotent SC (PSC) mature equally, Dr. Zandstra (University of Toronto) showed that there is heterogeneity in PSC reprogramming as barcoded cells in a population competed in a deterministic fashion to result in a less diverse mature population. The Allen Institute for Cell Science (Dr. Horwitz) discussed their development of multi-scale visual models of PSC organization and dynamics to understand and predict cellular behavior in regenerative and pathological contexts. Dr. Shoichet (University of Toronto), 2016 Till and McCulloch Award Lecturer Awardee, presented her work on engineering a novel biomaterial that supports retinal SC viability and ocular transplantation - a promising drug delivery and cell transplantation strategy.
Legally, extensive discussion by Rosario Isasi (University of Miami) and Dr. Hyun (Case Western Reserve University) highlighted the need for scientists to revisit the regulations on SC and gene editing research, and resistance of the general public. They encourage scientists to research the limits of acceptability by society, educate the public on SC research, and work with law-makers that define SC research regulations.
Conference Highlight: The meeting highlighted stem cell regulation in development and therapeutic potential in disease. Leading stem cell scientists (academic, industry), ethicists and trainees presented their work.
Conference Article:
The Till & McCulloch Meetings is Canada’s premier stem cells (SC) research conference which attracts top scientists, junior investigators and trainees interested in SC regulation and therapeutics. Computational biology and technological advancements drive research. Dr. Dunn (Cambridge Stem Cell Institute) discussed a new engine of interaction networks (REIN) that uses molecular computation to decipher SC behavior. Dr. Wheeler (University of Toronto) reported on the Digital microfluidic Immunocytochemistry in Single Cells (DISC) technique, which automates cell culture, stimulation (built-in electrochemical sensors) and immunocytochemistry. Dr. McGuigan (University of Toronto) presented the tissue roll for analysis of cellular environment and response (TRACER) system, a novel strategy to assemble layered, cell-defined, three-dimensional tumours with complex microenvironments in vitro that can be easily disassembled for cell phenotype and therapeutic response analysis.
In modeling SC behavior and therapeutics, contrary to the notion that all pluripotent SC (PSC) mature equally, Dr. Zandstra (University of Toronto) showed that there is heterogeneity in PSC reprogramming as barcoded cells in a population competed in a deterministic fashion to result in a less diverse mature population. The Allen Institute for Cell Science (Dr. Horwitz) discussed their development of multi-scale visual models of PSC organization and dynamics to understand and predict cellular behavior in regenerative and pathological contexts. Dr. Shoichet (University of Toronto), 2016 Till and McCulloch Award Lecturer Awardee, presented her work on engineering a novel biomaterial that supports retinal SC viability and ocular transplantation - a promising drug delivery and cell transplantation strategy.
Legally, extensive discussion by Rosario Isasi (University of Miami) and Dr. Hyun (Case Western Reserve University) highlighted the need for scientists to revisit the regulations on SC and gene editing research, and resistance of the general public. They encourage scientists to research the limits of acceptability by society, educate the public on SC research, and work with law-makers that define SC research regulations.