Released on: March 19, 2008, 4:41 pm

Press Release Author: GTCbio

Industry: Biotech

Press Release Summary: Jane S. Lebkowski, Senior Vice President of Regenerative
Medicine at Geron will give a presentation at the 4th International Stem Cell
Research & Therapeutics, Apr 17-18, 2008 in Boston, MA.



Press Release Body: Dr. Lebkowski will discuss the use human embryonic stem cells to
advance technology for therapeutic applications. Human Embryonic Stem Cells (hESCs)
can be propagated indefinitely yet differentiate to form all major lineages of
somatic cells in the body. Protocols have been developed to differentiate at least 8
specific cell types from hESCs including oligodendrocyte progenitor cells,
cardiomyocytes, hepatocytes, neural progenitors, dopaminergic neurons, osteoblasts,
and endothelial cells; detailed phenotypic and in vitro functional studies have
shown that these cells resemble their normal counterparts in human tissue. Several
investigations have been performed showing that differentiated hESC populations
survive, engraft, and function in animal models of human disease. Geron has made
significant progress in each of these areas and will discuss the state-of-the-art
development of hESC technology for human therapeutic use.

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