LMI Founder: Luncheon Expert At World Stem Cell Summit 2018
Founder of the Loving Mind Institute, Joe Riggs, Ph.D., to be a luncheon expert at the 2018 World Stem Cell Summit in Miami, Florida, January 25th, on the discussion:
“Successes and Challenges in Using Patient-Derived Stem Cell Methods for Studying Mental Illness and Addiction”.
Mental health conditions, including schizophrenia, depression, bipolar, and addiction present significant global health burden. Progress in understanding the cellular basis of these conditions has remained elusive and discovery of new and effective therapeutics has been very slow. Animals models have been the backbone of the field for decades and are an integral component of behavioral studies, however and so far, animal models have not translated well to clinical efficacy. Significant barriers for progress in the field have been the neurobiology of human brain function, limitations in studying post-mortem tissue, and ethical constraints on studying the living brain. Brain scans and imaging are promising but still present a significant gap in elucidating the cellular and molecular basis for mental disorders, which is critical for identifying therapeutic targets in rational drug design. Patient-derived, reprogramming technology (i.e. iPSCs, induced neurons (iNCs), induced microglia (hiMG)) presents a revolutionary approach to developing (1) human cellular models incorporating the disease-associated genetic background, (2) phenotype discovery in the pathophysiologically relevant cell type, (3) molecular and cellular causes of mental illness, (4) developing biologically relevant high-content screening systems for candidate drug discovery, and (5) diagnostic tools for more accurate patient diagnosis and application of precision medicine. Patient-derived tissues can be genetically or epigenetically modified for conversion into a desired cell type, such as neurons or neural progenitor cells (NPCs). Common examples of this technology, include, induced pluripotent stem cells and induced neurons. Each of these methods typically start from skin cells, such as from a patient biopsy. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) pass through an expandable intermediate stem cell stage that can be used to model neurodevelopment via further specification into neural progenitor cells (NPCs). Induced neurons are commonly converted directly from a skin cell to a differentiated neuronal cell. Recently, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) have been converted into hiMGs to develop in vitro models of neuroimmunology and its potential implication for schizophrenia. These technologies enable biological discovery for neuropsychiatric illness and addiction in human cellular systems for potential translation to more effective therapies and treatments.
WSCS Conversations with Experts and Lunch Table Discussions
http://www.worldstemcellsummit.com/sessions/buffet-lunch-in-the-exhibition-area
About World Stem Cell Summit
The World Stem Cell Summit is a project of the nonprofit Regenerative Medicine Foundation. Since 2003, Regenerative Medicine Foundation has built the strongest, most comprehensive and trusted global network for Regenerative Medicine, uniting the world’s leading researchers, medical centers, universities, labs, businesses, funders, policymakers, experts in law, regulation and ethics, medical philanthropies and patient organizations. Our mission is to accelerate regenerative medicine to improve health and deliver cures. We are committed to the ethical advancement of an innovative medicine powered by regenerative, restorative, and curative technologies. All we do is in service of health, life, and the alleviation of human suffering.
WSCS18 | www.worldstemcellsummit.com
About Regenerative Medicine Foundation
We are committed to the ethical advancement of an innovative medicine powered by regenerative, restorative, and curative technologies. Regenerative Medicine is a new paradigm of medicine that relies on stem cells capacity to regenerate, regrow, and fully heal damaged tissues and organs in our bodies. Millions of people all over the world who have conditions that today are considered incurable look towards Regenerative Medicine for solutions and hope. Since 2003 we have a track record fostering a supportive regulatory and societal framework for regenerative medicine. RMF produces the World Stem Cell Summit, the RegMed Capital Conference, the Stem Cell Action Awards, and other events. We are trusted brokers of relationships and information between the leading patient groups and stakeholders in the field, promoting advances towards delivery of new treatments and cures. Regenerative Medicine Foundation unites the world’s leading researchers, medical centers, universities, labs, businesses, funders, policymakers, experts in law, regulation and ethics, medical philanthropies, and patient organizations.
Regenerative Medicine Foundation | www.regmedfoundation.org