SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, Oct. 23, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Genetics Policy Institute (GPI) and the World Stem Cell Summit (WSCS14) announced an exclusive opportunity – only available to Summit participants – to tour three of San Antonio's science powerhouses on December 2nd, one day before the 10th annual World Stem Cell Summit #WSCS14, December 3-5 at the Marriott Rivercenter in San Antonio, Texas.
The World Stem Cell Summit is the regenerative medicine community's best networking event, pulling together a diverse, interdisciplinary mix of experts: researchers, clinicians, hospital administrators, regulators, philanthropists, venture capitalists, journalists, lawyers and patient advocates. More than 200 speakers and panelists will discuss the latest scientific discoveries, business models, translational issues, best practices, and legal and regulatory solutions. 1,200 attendees from 40 nations are expected to attend.
On Tuesday, December 2nd, the day before the Summit begins, a limited number of Summit attendees will have the opportunity to tour three world-class facilities: BioBridge Global, the Southwest National Primate Research Center (SNPRC) at the Texas Biomedical Research Institute and the Southwest Research Institute (SwRI). Advanced registration is required and space is limited for this opportunity.
Bernard Siegel, Executive Director of Genetics Policy Institute (GPI) and co-chair of the World Stem Cell Summit said, "We are excited to share these world-class facilities with a broad range of resources for potential partners to the attendees of this year's Summit. Access to a behind-the-scenes tour of just one of these facilities would be worth the trip, but to tour all three in one afternoon is an opportunity not to be missed."
The tour will include exclusive access to the facilities and introductions of each organization's capabilities, as well as opportunities for networking and lunch.
"Texas Biomedical Research Institute and the Southwest National Primate Center are pleased to serve as one of the hosts on this unique tour of some of the city's critical resources in regenerative medicine," said Kenneth Trevett, BioMed SA chairman and president emeritus of Texas Biomed. "With a unique combination of research resources and innovative scientific studies, BioBridge Global, Texas Biomed and the Southwest Research Institute provide a diverse array of assets for those seeking to enhance their research. We not only look forward to sharing our information but also learning from others about the critical research happening around the world."
First Destination: BioBridge Global
BioBridge Global is a nonprofit organization that offers diverse services in regenerative medicine, blood banking and biologic testing. Its subsidiaries – GenCure, South Texas Blood & Tissue Center and QualTex Laboratories – provide products and services including cord blood and related tissues, peripheral blood stem cell, bone marrow and allogeneic tissue, as well as testing of blood and plasma products for clients worldwide.
Attendees will enjoy lunch followed by a tour of GenCure's collections, processing and laboratory facilities including ISO-classified clean rooms, processing facilities, and testing laboratories. Attendees will see how start-up companies and research institutions can leverage GenCure's materials, facilities and expertise to enable their research endeavors.
Second Destination: Texas Biomedical Research Institute Southwest National Primate Research Center
The Southwest National Primate Research Center (SNPRC) is one of only eight federally designated primate centers and is home to more varieties of non-human primate species than any comparable institution. Located at Texas Biomedical Research institute, the Center is home to the largest pedigreed baboon colony for research in the world. Among the many species at the SNPRC are chimpanzees, baboons, rhesus monkeys, cynomologous monkeys and marmosets. These animals serve as models for such diverse disorders as cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, hepatitis, AIDS, osteoarthritis and various neurological diseases. They also play an increasing role in evaluating the clinical efficacy of stem cells for diagnostics and therapeutics in humans.
Tour attendees will view the animal facilities and receive information on how organizations can utilize the SNPRC in research efforts. The tour will include information on different animal models that are available or could be developed, collaborative research opportunities with stem cell scientists at the SNPRC, as well as behavioral support for the colonies.
Third Destination: Southwest Research Institute
The Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) is an independent, nonprofit applied research and development organization with more than 65 years of operation. The organization specializes in the creation and transfer of technology in engineering and the physical sciences. This powerhouse includes 2,800 with more than 2 million square feet of laboratories, test facilities, workshops and offices on a 1,200-acre site.
The tour will visit world-class microencapsulation facilities with a broad-based technology platform, and areas of advanced material development, stem cell and biomaterials research in tissue engineering.
Advanced registration for the San Antonio Research Resource Tour is required, and can be completed online at worldstemcellsummit.com/research-resource-tour/. For information about presenting, sponsoring or attending the World Stem Cell Summit or the new RegMed Capital Conference at the World Stem Cell Summit, contact Alan Fernandez at (650) 847-1640 or email alan@genpol.org.
About Genetics Policy Institute (GPI): The Genetics Policy Institute is a 501(c)3 non-profit that supports stem cell research to develop therapeutics and cures. GPI pursues its mission by producing the World Stem Cell Summit, honoring community leaders through the Stem Cell Action Awards, publishing the peer-reviewed World Stem Cell Report with Mary Ann Liebert Publishers, organizing educational initiatives and fostering strategic collaborations. GPI maintains offices in Florida, California and Washington, D.C. For more information about GPI, visit genpol.org.
About World Stem Cell Summit (WSCS): The annual World Stem Cell Summit (#WSCS14) is the flagship meeting of the international stem cell community. The 10th Annual World Stem Cell Summit is organized by Genetics Policy Institute (GPI), The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Mayo Clinic, Kyoto University Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences (iCeMS), BioBridge Global, Baylor College of Medicine and the Regenerative Medicine Foundation. The goal of the Summit is to accelerate the discovery and development of lifesaving cures and therapies, bringing global stakeholders together to solve global challenges. The Summit forges collaborations to advance cell therapies, while creating a supportive environment of regulation, legislation, financing, reimbursement and patient advocacy. Register and become a sponsor at worldstemcellsummit.com. For more information about the first annual RegMed Capital Conference at WSCS14, visit regmedcapital.com. Follow @WSCSummit on Twitter.