Science and Environment

First int'l stem cell gab in Phl slated

March 24, 2011 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines - St. Luke’s Medical Center’s Research and Biotechnology Division, in cooperation with St. Luke’s College of Medicine-William H. Quasha Memorial, has organized the first international symposium on stem cell therapy in the Philippines to be held on April 7-8 at the Henry Sy Sr. auditorium of SLMC-Global City.

Having pioneered the first successful stem cell treatment in ocular surface disorder in the country in 2006, St. Luke’s hopes to bring the latest findings on the many uses of stem cells in the treatment of neurodegenerative conditions such as Amyotrophic Sclerosis or ALS, spinal injury and of critical limb ischemia.

The potentials of finding cure for the much-dreaded cancer and heart problems are no longer a dream but a reality given the many new findings about the benefits of stem cell therapy.

Distinguished local and foreign experts will discuss the following: Overview of Cell Therapy by Paola Ricciardi-Castagnoli of A*Singapore; Molecular Markers in Blood Stem Cells by Ma. Luisa Enriquez of SLMC, Quezon City and De La Salle University; Stem Cells for Cancer Therapy by Dr. Dan Kaufman of the University of Minnesota; Stem Cell Transplantation for Hematological Malignancies by Dr. Francis Lopez of SLMC-Global City; Stem Cell Therapy for Ocular Disorders by Dr. Jessica Abaño both of SLMC QC and Global City; Critical Limb Ischemia by Keith Webster of the University of Miami; Stem Cell Therapy for Neurodegenerative Diseases by Dr. Seung Hyun Kim of Hanyang University, Korea; and Stem Cell Therapy for Heart Diseases by Dr. PieroAnversa of Harvard University.

Also set for discussion by the panel of speakers is the Current Status of Cell Therapy. Dr. Keith Webster of the University of Miami will talk on the Future Directions of Stem Cell Therapy, which will be held on the second day of the conference.

The public is invited to join for free in the afternoon of the same day.

For more information, call 7239574 or 7230101 extension 4220/4221 or visit www.ics.stluke.com.ph/stemcell.