The IV cycle of Debates ICREA-CCCB unveils the latest research in the field of stem cells
«Stem Cells: a Future without Diseases?» is the fourth ICREA-CCCB Debate, a regularly occurring joint endeavour which aims to inform the general public of the advances being made and challenges facing top-ranking scientists currently working in Catalonia
Each debate will present a project of researchers at the Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA – Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies) in different fields of knowledge. All lectures begin at 19pm in the Auditorium of the CCCB (Montalegre 5, Barcelona) and are free.
Tissue regeneration is a subject that has fascinated humankind since the days of antiquity. The ancient Greeks knew that the human liver can regenerate, which led them to devise Prometheus’ punishment after he had stolen fire from the gods: he was chained to a rock where, every day, an eagle ate his liver, which naturally regenerated only to be eaten again.
Hence, part of the adult human organism can regenerate. How does this happen? Everything depends on one basic concept: stem cells. These cells can differentiate into specialised cells, which means that they can act as a repair system for the body by replenishing other cells while the organism is alive.
It is believed that some day in the future stem cells will have the potential to deal with a host of human diseases, and that they will be used to repair specific cells or replace whole organs. Recent research has shown that understanding the behaviour of stem cells is essential for learning about processes like cancer and ageing.
PROGRAMME:
Stem cells: what they are and their role in living beings
10.21.14 Lecture by Salvador A. Benitah
Stem cells and regenerative medicine: realities and promises
10.28.14 Lecture by Ángel Raya
Stem cells and ageing: can the process be manipulated?
11.4.14 Lecture by Pura Muñoz
Towards a new understandinf of cancer and its treatment
11.11.14 Lecture by Joan Seoane
Further information: CCCB