Asia-Pacific Stem Cell Network: Please post your thoughts
Recently, I co-chaired a meeting where scientists made a cogent argument for creating a regional stem cell network. A summary of the meeting will be posted on Nature Reports Stem Cells and circulated as an insert in Nature. I hope that the conversation can continue here.
Comments
The Australian Stem Cell Centre welcomes the establishment of an Asia-Pacific Stem Cell Network to coordinate and facilitate research in the region. In addition the ASCC is happy to be involved in the establishment of such a network.
Posted by: Rebecca Skinner | June 28, 2007 12:58 AM
While key Singapore scientists could not attend the initial panel discussion, we fully support the creation of an Asia-Pacific stem cell research network as we believe that there is already a lot of strength within this region. In fact our pioneers in ESC research have worked closely with our colleagues in Australia and Israel since the 1990's.
The Singapore Stem Cell Consortium co-ordinates and funds stem cell research nationally as well as facilitates the training of young scientists. A Stem Cell Bank has been established to provide Singapore’s research community access to stem cell lines. This includes 6 clinical grade stem cell lines that have been recently derived. GMP facilities will be available in the near future to ensure that cell therapy applications can be conducted under stringent clinical conditions in hospitals. A rigorous bioethics and regulatory framework is already in place and has helped Singapore’s stem cell research to make good progress.
We're fully supportive of the idea to create a platform for further dialogue between scientists in the region.
Professor Eng Hin LEE
Co-Chairman, Singapore Stem Cell Consortium
Terence SOO
Secretariat, Singapore Stem Cell Consortium
Posted by: Eng Hin LEE and Terence SOO | June 28, 2007 05:05 PM