Name: The Future of Medicine - Stem Cells
Start: 2018-05-15T
End: 2018-05-15T
Location: Mango Thai Tapas Bar & Lounge Ocean Village

Stem cells are the power source that driving human growth & development, functioning throughout our life to replenish & maintain the vital components that make up our bodies, such as bones, muscles & even brain! Harnessing the power of these cells has the potential to revolutionise medicine as we know it. Research into improving the development of turning normal cells into induced stem cells is opening up new avenues for the future of medicine. Come along & find out how Southampton researchers are harnessing the potential of stem cells to work towards making this medical revolution a reality.

Stem cells and clay nanoparticles

Dr Jonathan Dawson (EPSRC Research Fellow)

Jon's research explores ways to stimulate stem cells by controlling their microenvironment through the use of clay gels and nanoparticles. Stem cells could be potent tools for improving healing, however harnessing the potential of stem-cells to heal requires careful control of their local biological environment. Jon leads a team exploring how gels formed from clay nanoparticles could be harnessed to create injectable tissues for stem cells. This could, in many situations, eliminate the need for surgery in some patients.

Stem Cells - Can we repair the brain?

Dr Melissa Andrews (Lecturer in Systems Physiology, Principal Investigator Neuroregeneration)

How do we repair the unrepairable? Our brain and spinal cord control most all of our daily functions but if damaged, they cannot repair themselves. Thousands of people survive brain and spinal cord injuries but often as a result live with permanent disabilities including paralysis. My research investigates ways to regrow nerves in the brain and spinal cord by using stem cells derived from human skin cells or by reintroducing missing proteins in the adult that normally promote growth in a young developing brain.

Harnessing the power of human pluripotent stem cells and genome editing for the treatment of retinal disease

Dr Jörn Lakowski (Researcher)

Degenerative diseases of the retina are major causes of blindness. Current treatment options may delay the onset of sight-loss but dont stop or reverse it. Retinal cell & gene therapy aiming at repairing or replacing defective photoreceptors are two of the most promising novel approaches being investigated for the treatment of retinal dystrophies. I will discuss recent advances in the area of retinal cell therapy, mainly the utility of pluripotent stem cell cultures for the generation of donor cells, and the application of genome editing in the context of stem cell derived retinal organoids.

Stem Cell Mountain

Pinball anyone?
Combining the fun of a pinball machine with key biological concepts, Stem Cell Mountain brings to life the complex idea of stem cell potential. An award-winning and irresistible hands-on exhibit.

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