Stem Cell Partnerships: Bench to bedside

Taking scientific discoveries from the laboratory to patients in the clinic requires a network of people with skills, knowledge, time and passion. Join us to hear how three teams from across Parkville are using stem cells to advance understanding and development of new treatments for diseases affecting liver, gut and vision.

There will be an opportunity following the main event to meet the researchers and others interested in stem cell research.

This event will be moderated by Centre Director Professor Christine Wells and Deputy Director Associate Professor Megan Munsie.

Speakers

Liver Disease

• 
  Dr Kiryu Yap, Surgeon and PhD student
  St Vincent’s Institute and Hospital
  
  
  Dr Kiryu Yap is a trainee surgeon currently completing a PhD at St Vincent’s Institute and Hospital and is an honorary fellow of the Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne. Dr Yap is working on developing a bio-engineered model of human liver tissue with blood vessels, aiming to ultimately grow livers from stem cells for transplant.

Gut Disease

• 
  Dr Lincon Stamp, Researcher
  University of Melbourne
• 
  Dr Marlene Hao, Researcher
  University of Melbourne
• 
  Associate Professor Sebastian King, Pediatrician
  Royal Children's Hospital
  
  
  Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience researchers Drs Lincon Stamp and Marlene Hao have partnered with clinician A/Prof Sebastian King to explore a stem cell based therapy alternative to surgery in children with Hirschsprung Disease

Eye Disease

• 
  Professor Alice Pébay, Researcher
  University of Melbourne
• 
  Dr Matt Rutar, Researcher
  University of Melbourne
• 
  Daniel Feller, Patient Advocate
  Genetic Cures Australia
  
  
  Professor Alice Pébay and Dr Matt Rutar from the Departments of Surgery and Anatomy and Neuroscience are using stem cells to model the retina and are exploring potential cures for eye diseases. This work is well known to Genetic Cures Australia, a charity focused on supporting research for genetic eye disease.