Research on Stem cells is a real challenge for the scientific community, both from a scientific and increasingly a political perspective
As part of the agreements reached between Prime Ministers Blair and Zapatero at the bilateral meeting held in October 2006, they made a commitment to increasing co-operation on biotechnology, which has focused on stem cell research. It is one of the priority strategic lines for both governments.
In co-ordination with the UK Stem Cell Bank and the Instituto de Salud Carlos III in Madrid, the British Embassy in Madrid organised a bilateral meeting in London, called “UK-Spain Stem Cells Research Workshop: from bench to clinic”. The meeting was co-funded by DIUS and the Instituto de Salud Carlos III. It sought to further co-operation between the two Stem Cell Banks and was attended by delegates and representatives from both countries; speakers included Javier García Sancho (IBGM, Universidad de Valladolid), Paul Fairchild (William Dunn School of Pathology, Oxford University) and Jorge Alemany (VP Strategy and Corporate Development, Cellerix)
The workshop started on the evening of Tuesday 24th with some introductory talks on UK and Spanish stem cell networks, with delegates from the Spanish Stem Cell Network, the UK National Stem Cell Network and the Oxford and London Networks. On Wednesday 25th, the workshop was opened by Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Spain, Mrs. Denise Holt. The structure was divided in 4 sections: Academia and Stem Cell Biology, Ethics and Social Science, Biobanking and Biotech Stem Cell Industry.
The workshop, held at The Royal Society in London, was an ideal platform for networking and an excellent opportunity to promote the existing links between the stem cells communities.
For more details contact: Sara.Cebrian@fco.gsi.gov.uk
