University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio to Teach "Stem Cells 101" at Free Education Day with World Stem Cell Summit

SAN ANTONIO, Nov. 4, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio has partnered with the World Stem Cell Summit (WSCS14) to offer a free Public Education Day on December 2, one day before the 10th annual World Stem Cell Summit #WSCS14, December 3-5.

The Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Public Education Day, which is free and open to the public, will be Tuesday, December 2, at the Holly Auditorium on The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio campus, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, Texas 78229.

Leading scientists, doctors and patient advocates will present workshops geared toward the general public at The Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Public Education Day, presented by The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and the World Stem Cell Summit. Attendees will learn about the latest scientific breakthroughs, experience hands-on lab activities, discover how stem cell discoveries translate into medicine, and get the tools they need to protect their family from the risks of unproven, unsafe stem cell treatments. Experts will discuss new applications for stem cells in diabetes, cancer, wound care, neurological and muscle disorders, and other conditions.

There are two parts to the event: a Special Public Lecture at 9 a.m. by Elaine Fuchs, Ph.D., and a series of speaker panels and exhibits from 1 to 4 p.m. All members of the community, including students, teachers, doctors and patients, are welcome at these free events. View the complete schedule here.

Dr. Fuchs is an endowed professor at Rockefeller University and a member of the Institute of Medicine and National Academy of Sciences. She specializes in skin stem cells, and her laboratory studies where adult stem cells originate, how they make tissues, how they repair wounds and how they malfunction in cancers. Dr. Fuchs has received the 2014 Pezcoller Foundation Award for Cancer Research, 2013 Pasarow Award for Cancer Research, 2013 Kligman-Frost Leadership Award, 2013 American Skin Association Lifetime Achievement Award, 2012 March of Dimes Prize in Developmental Biology and many other honors.

Bernard Siegel, Executive Director of Genetics Policy Institute (GPI) and co-chair of the World Stem Cell Summit, said, "The World Stem Cell Summit is pleased to incorporate a day of public events for the community to learn more about this emerging field, which is the future of medicine. After more than 10 years of stem cell advocacy, we continue to build awareness about stem cell research and the extraordinary potential applications to treat disease and injury."

"Stem cells offer tremendous potential to treat and alleviate many disorders, including diabetes, cancer and neurodegenerative diseases," said Christi A. Walter, Ph.D., Professor and Chair, Department of Cellular and Structural Biology, at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. "It is important to understand the potential of stem cells and the rigorous work that must precede clinical applications to ensure efficacy and safety. We look forward to sharing information about the important stem cell research that is being done here and across the world with the San Antonio community at the World Stem Cell Summit Public Education Day." Dr. Walter is the chair of the UT Health Science Center Public Education Day Committee.

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. At least 1,200 attendees from 40 nations are expected to attend.

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: 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.

About The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio: The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, one of the country's leading health sciences universities, ranks in the top 13 percent of academic institutions receiving National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding. The university's schools of medicine, nursing, dentistry, health professions and graduate biomedical sciences have produced more than 29,000 graduates. The $787 million operating budget supports eight campuses in San Antonio, Laredo, Harlingen and Edinburg. For more information on the many ways "We make lives better®," visit www.uthscsa.edu.