Leaders in the field of stem cell research and clinical utilization convened in Rancho Mirage for Select Bioscience’s “Clinical Translation of Stem Cells Summit,” locally hosted by David M. Morrow, MD, founder and director of The Morrow Institute. The event was held at the Rancho Las Palmas Resort followed by 6 p.m. practicums at The Morrow Institute. Focusing on the safe and effective use of regenerative techniques, the summit was chaired by Lee Buckler, Managing Director, Cell Therapy Group, and featured presentations by international, national and local experts.
Presenters included Kotaro Yoshimura, MD, Department of Plastic Surgery, University of Tokyo; Mark Berman, MD, President, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, California Stem Cell Treatment Center; Ingrid Caras, PhD, Senior Science Officer, California Institute for Regenerative Medicine; Prudence Talbot, MD, Director, UC Riverside Stem Cell Center; David Morrow, MD and Allan Wu, MD, co-founders of The Morrow Institute’s Non-Controversial Stem Cell Research Lab; and others. Dr. Wu was the keynote speaker the first day of the conference. Richard Kite, mayor of Rancho Mirage, presented a proclamation to the event organizers; American Health Journal filmed a PBS grant-sponsored program on stem cells featuring four of the conference speakers and segments of the conference practicums.
“This summit is a continuation of the efforts The Morrow Institute began back in 2008 when we hosted the first Mini-Summit on Biotech Research ever held in the Coachella Valley,” Dr. Morrow explained. “The field has advanced so far in such a short amount of time this conference will provide the opportunity for participants to look beyond research to new bedside therapies and practical issues.”
In his keynote address, Dr. Wu addressed translational trends in bringing stem cells from the research bench to the bedside. He also led clinical practicums with delegate viewing focused on harvesting adipose derived stem cells in the clinical setting, and providing delegates a real-time, hands-on opportunity to understand trends in stem cells-based clinical practice.
While Dr. Wu’s keynote presentation sought to answer questions about what is allowable and what is considered safe within the standard of care, other Day 1 presenters explored the state of the stem cell therapy industry, the use of stem cells in brain tumor trials, a variety of ethical issues, “hot spots” in stem cell research, the use of stem cells in fat transfer, the use of guided imagery in stem cell injections, and establishing a compliant regenerative medical surgical organization. Day 2 included presentations on cell assisted lipotransfer, the use of adult stem cells in the treatment of disease, the future of cell-based personalized medicine, stem cells in age-related macular degeneration, and the impact of policy on clinical trials.
Developers of the Stem Cell DEP Separation Technology (StemSorter™) and the Stem Cell Optimizer™, The Morrow Institute is one of the longest established Specialty Plastic Surgery® practices in the world. Its campus features a fully AAAHC accredited outpatient surgery center dedicated to health and aesthetic enhancement through specialty plastic/reconstructive/ cosmetic surgery, skin rejuvenation and an FDA registered stem cell research laboratory and tissue bank.
For more information visit http://selectbiosciences.com/conferences
Morrow Institute
69780 Stellar Drive
Rancho Mirage, CA 92270
760-202-2770
Photography by: Loretta Vlach
