Baylor College of Medicine Joins Organizers of 2014 World Stem Cell Summit #WSCS14

SAN ANTONIO, Texas, July 16, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Genetics Policy Institute (GPI) announced Baylor College of Medicine in Houston is an "Organizing Partner" of the 10th annual World Stem Cell Summit (WSCS). The 2014 Summit will be held December 3-5, 2014, at the San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter in San Antonio, Texas.

Baylor College of Medicine, ranked first in Texas in funding from the National Institutes of Health, is home to the Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Center or STaR. Investigators in the STaR Center study both adult stem cells and embryonic stem cells. Current projects include investigating the role of tumor stem cells in contributing to cancer relapse.

Baylor College of Medicine in Houston joins GPI, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Mayo Clinic, Kyoto University Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences (iCeMS) and BioBridge Global to organize the 10th annual meeting of the global stem cell community, which shapes the next year of progress in regenerative medicine. The annual event assembles the most prominent figures in the field to share research, build collaborations and find solutions to funding and commercialization challenges.

Organizing Partners play a critical role in developing the agenda for the WSCS. The co-chairs of the event will include Bernard Siegel (GPI), Dr. William L. Henrich (UT Health Science Center), Dr. Andre Terzic (Mayo Clinic), Professor Norio Nakatsuji (Kyoto University's iCeMS), Dr. Adam Kuspa (Baylor College of Medicine) and Linda Myers (BioBridge Global).

The interdisciplinary World Stem Cell Summit attracts researchers, industry leaders, clinicians, hospital administrators, regulators, philanthropists, economic development officers, journalists, lawyers and insurers along with the patients advocating for new treatments and cures. Sessions will focus on the acceleration of stem cell science and translation to clinical trials and medical therapies for severe injury and disease, including regeneration of tissues, organs and spinal cords, cancer, diabetes, neurological diseases, and heart disease.

More than 200 speakers and panelists will discuss the latest scientific discoveries, business models, translational issues, legal and regulatory solutions, and best practices. The event is expected to attract more than 1,500 attendees from 40 nations, with 200 sponsors, media partners and endorsing organizations. In addition to panels and keynote addresses, the Summit includes an exhibition hall, symposiums, networking receptions, the GPI Stem Cell Action Awards Dinner, a competitive Poster Forum, "Conversations with Experts Luncheon," and more.

Bernard Siegel, founder of the Summit and executive director of the Genetics Policy Institute said, "GPI is delighted to partner again with Baylor College of Medicine to produce a Summit event. A decade ago, the first Summit was launched and Baylor College of Medicine served as our host institution. Pioneering heart surgeon and chancellor emeritus of Baylor, Dr. Michael DeBakey, provided the first keynote speech. The field of stem cells and regenerative medicine has come a long way since then and it is fitting that Baylor College of Medicine, truly one of the world's great biomedical research centers, is again partnering with us to produce our 10th anniversary Summit in Texas. The Texas Medical Center will again be well-represented at the World Stem Cell Summit, the premier interdisciplinary stem cell conference."

Dr. Adam Kuspa, Senior Vice President for Research, Baylor College of Medicine, said, "Baylor College of Medicine is very pleased to be an organizer of the 2014 World Stem Cell Summit. Bernie Siegel and his colleagues have brought real vision and energy to this summit over the years, bringing together stakeholders in the application of stem cells from across the spectrum of research, industry, medical ethics, and health policy. It is a propitious time for advancement in each of these domains given how dynamic the field has become over the past few years and as regenerative medicine emerges as a paradigm for new treatments of age-old diseases. Baylor College of Medicine remains committed to being a leader in the field and the World Stem Cell Summit serves as a wonderful platform to share our research and vision."

ABOUT WORLD STEM CELL SUMMIT: The World Stem Cell Summit is the flagship meeting of the international stem cell community. The Summit aims to accelerate the discovery and development of lifesaving cures and therapies, bringing global stakeholders together to solve global challenges. The 2014 World Stem Cell Summit will be held December 3-5, 2014, at the San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter in San Antonio, Texas. For more information, visit www.worldstemcellsummit.com and follow @WSCSummit on Twitter.

ABOUT GENETICS POLICY INSTITUTE: Genetics Policy Institute (GPI) is a 501c3 nonprofit foundation with the mission to promote stem cell research and its application in medicine to develop cures. GPI pursues this mission through production of its flagship annual World Stem Cell Summit, publication of the annual World Stem Cell Report, Stem Cell Action Awards, special projects, speaking engagements, teaching initiatives and strategic collaborations. For more information, visit www.genpol.org and follow GPI on Facebook.

ABOUT BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE: Baylor College of Medicine (www.bcm.edu) in Houston is recognized as a premier academic health sciences center and is known for excellence in education, research and patient care. It is the only private medical school in the greater southwest and is ranked 21st among medical schools for research and 12th for primary care by U.S. News & World Report. Baylor is listed 19th among all U.S. medical schools for National Institutes of Health funding and number one in Texas. Located in the Texas Medical Center, Baylor has affiliations with seven teaching hospitals and jointly owns and operates CHI St. Luke's Baylor St. Luke's Medical Center. Currently, Baylor trains more than 3,000 medical, graduate, nurse anesthesia, physician assistant and orthotics students, as well as residents and post-doctoral fellows. Follow Baylor College of Medicine on Facebook and follow @bcmhouston on Twitter.