20 years of human embryonic stem cells

Precongress Course 13

 Special Interest Group Stem Cells


Course type
Basic


Course co-ordinators
Cristina Eguizabal (Spain)


Course description
Embryonic stem cells (ESC) are pluripotent cells isolated from an early embryo and grown as a cell line in tissue culture dish. Their discovery came from the combination of previous studies in human pathology, mouse genetics, early mouse embryo development, cell surface immunology and tissue culture. ESC provided a crucial tool to study human genetics, modelling, development and physiology. They have not only revolutionized experimental mammalian genetics but, have now opened new therapeutic paths in regenerative medicine. The derivation of the first human ESC lines 20 years ago heralded an explosion of public interest in stem cells, yet this achievement depended on prior decades of research on mouse ESCs. In turn, the recent derivation of mouse and human iPSC from somatic cells or from human SCNT embryos depended on the previous studies on mouse and human ESCs. Both human ESCs and iPSCs can self-renew indefinitely in vitro while maintaining the ability to differentiate into advanced derivatives of all three germ layers, features very useful for understanding the differentiation and function of human tissues, for drug screen and toxicity testing, and for cellular transplantation therapies in regenerative medicine fields.
In the proposed precongress course, we will review the history of human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) derivation, in the context of the scientific and technical environment at the time, then proceed to give a historical account of the development of the field of stem cell research with a special emphasis on regenerative medicine and clinical applications.
This 20th anniversary of the derivation of hESC lines offers an ideal opportunity to look back over the past 20 years in this field, as well as to look forward to what the future may hold.

 

Target audience
Embryologists, stem cell researchers, reproductive genetic researchers, clinicians


Educational needs and expected outcomes

This course will:

  • review the history of human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)
  • historical account of the development of the field of stem cell research
  • discuss the use of stem cells in regenerative medicine and clinical applications

 

Programme


Sunday 23 June 2019

Chairs
Susana M. Chuva de Sousa Lopes, The Netherlands
Anna Veiga, Spain
09:00 - 09:30
Pluripotent stem cells: Past, present and future (an overview of types of pluripotent stem cells: ESCs, iPSCs, SCNT….)
Rita Vassena, Spain
09:30 - 09:45
Discussion
09:45 - 10:15
Differentiation of gametes from pluripotent stem cells
Cristina Eguizabal, Spain
10:15 - 10:30
Discussion
10:30 - 11:00
Coffee break
Mieke Geens, Belgium
Bjorn Heindryckx, Belgium
11:00 - 11:30
Chromosomal instability in stem cells
Mina Popovic, Spain
11:30 - 11:45
Discussion
11:45 - 12:15
Trophectoderm stem cells
Takahiro Arima, Japan
12:15 - 12:30
Discussion
12:30 - 13:30
Lunch break
Bjorn Heindryckx, Belgium
Cristina Eguizabal, Spain
13:30 - 14:00
Differentiation potential of pluripotent stem cells
Mieke Geens, Belgium
14:00 - 14:15
Discussion
14:15 - 14:45
Organoids and chimeras from pluripotent stem cells
Bernard Roelen, The Netherlands
14:45 - 15:00
Discussion
15:00 - 15:30
Coffee break
Mina Popovic, Spain
Christiani Amorim, Belgium
15:30 - 16:00
Clinical grade derivation of pluripotent stem cells and future applications in clinical trials
Anna Veiga, Spain
16:00 - 16:15
Discussion
16:15 - 16:45
New technologies by using stem cells: 3D organs
Ludovic Vallier, United Kingdom
16:45 - 17:00
Discussion