2009 ISSCR Public Symposium
The ISSCR, in collaboration with la Caixa Foundation presents

Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Stem Cells But Were Afraid to Ask
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
CosmoCaixa Barcelona

Approximately 150 people attended this year’s ISSCR Public Symposium held in collaboration with the la Caixa Foundation at the CosmoCaixa Barcelona.  This year’s popular program was a multimedia exploration of stem cell research supported by ESTOOLS, EuroSyStem, OptiStem and NeuroStemcell. The program began with a 15-minute movie, “Stem Cell Story,” a film clip introducing IPS cells, from EuroStemCell and EuroSyStem, and concluded with a lively panel discussion with filmmakers and experts in stem cell research and ethics. In conjunction with the evening event, the museum hosted an educational and inspirational photo exhibition, ‘Smile of a Stem Cell,’ from ESTOOLS.

If you missed the symposium, or want to refer others to the multimedia education tools presented, view the resources available online:

Take a virtual tour of the ‘Smile of a Stem Cell’ exhibition; a stunning display of scientific photography collected from ESTOOLS scientists working across Europe.

View the 15 minute film, ‘A Stem Cell Story,’ offered in 6 languages, along with other excellent educational movies. Watch for the upcoming film on induced pluripotent stem cells.

Program

5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.  Photo Exhibition: "Smile of a Stem Cell" from ESTOOLS

A stunning exhibition of scientific photography collected from ESTOOLS scientists working across Europe. For the public, experience a practical “touch” with cutting-edge science through stem cell pictures displayed for their intrinsic beauty and the fantasy they may produce. For scientists, take this opportunity to step back and to look at everyday research from an external perspective. A unique learning opportunity.

6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.  Program
               
Film: "A Stem Cell Story," from EuroStemCell and EuroSyStem  
In English with Spanish subtitles
This award-winning 15-minute film provides an engaging, accessible and visually stunning introduction to the world of stem cell research. It uses innovative hand-drawn animation, beautiful cell photography and documentary interviews to capture the fascination and complexity of this cutting-edge area of science.
                    
Audience Questions & Answers with Panelists
Translated in English and Catalan*
*We will attempt to provide an accurate translation of the panel discussion and questions but due to the difficulties of translation, slight differences may exist.

Following the formal program, you are invited to enjoy refreshments and return to the photographs. Refreshments supported by CosmoCaixa Barcelona, EuroSyStem, OptiStem and NeuroStemcell.

Moderator and Filmmakers
Tariq Enver, PhD (Moderator)
Professor, Stem Cell Biology, MRC, Molecular Haematology Unit
Oxford, UK

C. Clare Blackburn, PhD (Scientist and Filmmaker)
MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research
University of Edinburgh
Edinburgh, Scotland

Amy Hardie (Filmmaker)
Head of Research, Scottish Documentary Institute
Edinburgh, Scotland/UK

With Panelists:
Eduard Batlle, PhD
ICREA & Oncology Programme
Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB-Barcelona)
Barcelona, Spain

Juan Carlos Izpisúa Belmonte, PhD
Director, Center for Regenerative Medicine in Barcelona
Barcelona, Spain

Thomas Graf, PhD
ICREA Professor, Center for Genomic Regulation, CRG
Barcelona, Spain

Jonathan D. Moreno, PhD
Professor, Medical Ethics and History and Sociology of Science, University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA USA

Anna Veiga, PhD
Directora, Banc de Línies Cel.lulars
Centre de Medicina Regenerativa de Barcelona CMR[B]

Fiona M. Watt, DPhil (ISSCR President)
Cancer Research UK Cambridge Research Institute
Cambridge, UK

Updated July 14, 2009