Released on: March 19, 2008, 4:35 pm

Press Release Author: Mark Thiede of Pfizer will give a presentation entitled
"Inference by Interference: Controlling MSC Differentiation with RNAi" at the 4th
International Stem Cell Research & Therapeutics, Apr 17-18, 2008 in Boston, MA.

Industry: Biotech

Press Release Summary: Mark Thiede of Pfizer will give a presentation entitled
"Inference by Interference: Controlling MSC Differentiation with RNAi" at the 4th
International Stem Cell Research & Therapeutics, Apr 17-18, 2008 in Boston, MA.

Press Release Body: Dr. Thiede will discuss how human adult stem cells such as bone
marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), the primary source of progenitors for
tissue maintenance, can differentiate into adipocytes, osteocytes and chondrocytes
in vitro. Understanding the key regulatory pathways of MSC proliferation and their
lineage commitment is critical to the success of targeting drug therapies for
regenerative medicine. RNAi technologies provide valuable tools with which to assess
the functional consequences of the "knock down" of expression of target gene
products. Undifferentiated and differentiated MSCs are being exposed to RNAi
libraries that target drugable gene products (i.e receptors/enzymes) to identify
gene products critical to MSC differentiation and the subsequent function of these
differentiated cell types. Dr. Thiede will also discuss experimental approaches and
observations.

The conference also features presentations from other leading organizations such as
FDA, Geron, Joint Committee on Health Care Financing (by Senator Richard Moore),
Merck, MIT, Novartis, Pfizer, Sangamo BioSciences, Sanofi Aventis, Stemagen, UCSB,
University of Van Amsterdam, Whitehead Institute, and many more. The full agenda is
available online at www.gtcbio.com.

GTCbio's 4th Stem Cell Research & Therapeutics will take place on April 17-18, 2008
in Boston, MA and will cover Stem Cell Biology, Adult Stem Cells, Embryonic Stem
Cells, Differentiation of Stem Cells, Epigenomics & Reprogramming of Stem Cells,
Regenerative Medicine & Therapeutics, Stem Cell Imaging, Regulatory Aspects &
Funding Opportunities, Cancer Stem Cells, and Stem Cell Applications in Drug
Discovery.

For more information including a detailed agenda, exhibitor opportunities and
registration information visit http://gtcbio.com/userAgenda.aspx?id=120

ABOUT GTCbio

GTCbio organizes conferences specifically for the biomedical and biopharmaceutical
industries. Our goal is to facilitate the exchange of biopharmaceutical and
biomedical intelligence between industry leaders, academic and government
organizations, and the financial community.

GTCbio is a subsidiary of Global Technology Community, LLC, a privately held company
founded in 2002.


Web Site: http://gtcbio.com

Contact Details: Contact: GTCBIO 434 W. Foothill Blvd., Monrovia, CA. 91016 (626)
256-6405, (626) 256-6460 fax, nina.tran@gtcbio.com