Kyoto University iCeMS to Co-Organize World Stem Cell Summit, West Palm Beach, Florida, Dec. 3-5, 2012

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., Sept. 10, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Genetics Policy Institute (GPI) announced that the Kyoto University Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences (iCeMS) will serve as one of the co-organizers of the 2012 World Stem Cell Summit scheduled for Dec. 3-5, at the Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Bernard Siegel, founder and co-chair of the Summit and executive director of the Genetics Policy Institute said, "We are honored to have the Kyoto University's iCeMS as a partner of the Summit. The iCeMS is one of the great research institutions in the world pioneering a new cross-disciplinary field integrating the cell and material sciences. We are honored to have its director, Prof. Norio Nakatsuji, serving as a Summit co-chair." Mr. Siegel added that "the World Stem Cell Summit unites the global stem cell community.  We take pride having Japan's premier research institution, taking a leadership role in our event. The World Stem Cell Summit is accomplishing its mission advancing research and translation. We facilitate cross-border collaborations and the exchange of ideas."

Prof. Norio Nakatsuji, Director of Kyoto University iCeMS stated, "Our Institute's mission includes developing collaborations between the private sector and academia and strengthening ties among scientists and society. We see the World Stem Cell Summit as the most important strategic meeting accomplishing these goals. I am pleased to serve as co-chair of this year's conference."

The World Stem Cell Summit is the largest interdisciplinary and networking stem cell conference in the world featuring more than 170 prominent presenting scientists, business leaders, regulators, policy-makers, advocates, economic development officers and experts in law and ethics. The program addresses the latest scientific discoveries, business models, economics, funding, legal and regulatory solutions and best practices. It is expected to attract attendees from 25 nations and 220 sponsors, endorsing organizations and media partners.

Other co-organizers of the 8th Annual World Stem Cell Summit include Genetics Policy Institute, Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute (ISCI) of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Diabetes Research Institute, Beckman Research Institute at City of Hope, Karolinska Institute (home of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine) and the International Translational Regenerative Medicine Center (ITRC).

The deadline for early registration discounts and submission of poster abstracts for the World Stem cell Summit is October 19. For more information about sponsoring or attending the World Stem Cell Summit, contact Alan Fernandez at (650) 847-1640 or email [email protected]. To learn more about the Summit, visit: www.worldstemcellsummit.com.  Also, stay informed and in touch: Twitter @WSCS2012, Facebook and LinkedIn.

About Genetics Policy Institute (GPI): GPI is a 501c3 nonprofit foundation with the mission to promote stem cell research and its application in medicine to develop cures. GPI pursues this mission through production of its flagship annual World Stem Cell Summit, publication with Regenerative Medicine of the annual World Stem Cell Report, Stem Cell Action Awards, special projects, speaking engagements, teaching initiatives and strategic collaborations.

About Kyoto University iCeMS: The Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences (WPI-iCeMS) is part of the Japanese government's World Premier International Research Center (WPI) Initiative, aimed at forging a new model for scientific institutions, helping Japan lead the world in a broad range of advanced research. By merging materials science and cell biology, both fields of great strength at Kyoto University, the iCeMS is creating a new cross-discipline, supported by an advanced research environment and infrastructure that are unprecedented in Japan. The Institute's focus is on two main areas: stem cell science & technology and mesoscopic science & technology. The Institute's work draws from the life sciences, chemistry, materials science, as well as physics, constantly expanding the boundaries of technological innovation.

SOURCE Genetics Policy Institute