National Guard to host key forum on stem cell science

RIYADH: Stem cell science, which holds the promise to provide lifesaving treatments, will be the focus of a major conference to be organized by the Ministry of National Guard in the Saudi capital on Sept. 19.
The three-day event is being organized in cooperation with International Placenta Stem Cell Society for residents and visitors to learn more about this emerging field.
“The conference will highlight placenta, bone marrow, as well as cord blood stem cell research,” said Dr. Mohamed Abumaree, chairman of the scientific committee at the National Guard health affairs department. Another important topic is determining the compatibility between the donor and the patient during the pre-transplant procedures.
He said that the conference will highlight the role of stem cells in major diseases for example cancer, cardiovascular and immune diseases, as well as diabetes and hepatitis. The event will feature hands-on exhibits and expert panels as part of the conference. A number of scholars from the United States, Canada, Italy, France, Sweden, Spain, Ukraine, India and China will attend the conference.
The King Abdullah International Research Center (KAIMRC) at the Ministry of National Guard is preparing for the conference. The topic of the seminar is “New Frontiers in Stem Cell Basic Research, Translation, and Clinical Application.”
It is the first time this conference, which will focus on the scientific basis of modern regenerative medicine, is being hosted in the Arab world, emphasizing the progress and excellence of the research done in this field in Riyadh.
Dr. Abumaree said that the “conferences following a distinctive scientific method are considered as a window of communication between countries.” For Arab scientists, it is an effective channel to exhibit the excellence of their achievements in this competitive scientific field. The Kingdom is working closely with international partners including the International Placenta Stem Cell Society, which is an independent and non-profit organization.
The society promotes advances in placenta-derived stem cell research and development with the final aim of applying these cells in cell therapy. It encourages cooperative research activities, favors interaction between its members, and promotes staff mobility through the organization of a scientific meeting every two years.
The society also provides endorsements for scientific events, and support young researchers.