Making research a reality: Canada’s stem cell and regenerative medicine community meets in Toronto to discuss latest advances in ground-breaking science

October 23, 2023 (Toronto) – From diabetes and cancer to muscular dystrophy and multiple sclerosis, stem cell and regenerative medicine research is unlocking leading-edge treatments and therapies for a plethora of costly and debilitating diseases and illnesses – allowing the hope of better health to become a not-too-distant reality.

Today, more than 530 experts in stem cell and regenerative medicine research gather in Toronto for the 2023 Till & McCulloch Meetings (TMM), Canada’s premier stem cell and regenerative medicine conference, hosted by the Stem Cell Network. Attendees include world-class researchers, graduate students, postdocs, industry experts and legal scholars from across Canada and around the world who will discuss the latest research advances and the ground-breaking work happening in the field.

The conference boasts an exceptional scientific program, full of outstanding speakers covering areas such as new technologies in stem cell based disease modelling, gene editing, and integrating artificial intelligence into research and clinical care.

The three-day event kicks off with Dr. Ya-Chieh Hsu from Harvard University who will give the keynote address. Dr. Hsu’s lab discovered how stress affects stem cells in the skin, opening new opportunities to understand how exposure to chronic stress can impact tissue regeneration.

TMM delegates will also hear from two patient speakers, twin brothers Andre and Nathan Cordeiro, the in Canada to receive a gene therapy to treat the rare inherited disorder, Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA), a progressive condition that often leads to severe vision loss.

Always a conference highlight, this year’s Till & McCulloch Lecture will be presented by Dr. Gordon Keller who is the 2023 recipient of the Till & McCulloch Award in recognition of his paper published in Cell Stem Cell, Modeling human multi-lineage heart field development with pluripotent stem cells. The Till & McCulloch Award is presented annually to a Canadian-based researcher who has made an exceptional contribution to global stem cell research in that year. Dr. Keller was nominated by his peers and selected by the Till & McCulloch Meetings Scientific Program Committee.

Also being recognized for outstanding work in the field is Dr. Murtaza Nagree who is the recipient of the 2023 Drew Lyall Award of Excellence, an honour given to the lead trainee author of the highest ranked abstract. Dr. Nagree is a Postdoctoral Fellow in the John Dick Lab at the University Health Network who, in collaboration with Andy Zeng under the supervision of Dr. Stephanie Xie, is working to unravel how blood stem cells react to and remember inflammation.

New to TMM this year is a series of special pre-conference events covering topics such as grant writing for early career researchers and how to launch a regenerative medicine company or product. These special sessions were held on October 22 in addition to the traditional and highly anticipated trainee workshops hosted by the Stem Cell Network’s Trainee Communications Committee.

Quotes

“Canada is home to a brilliant and collaborative stem cell and regenerative medicine community composed of world-leading researchers, academics, and entrepreneurs, and every year TMM brings them together to discuss the latest research and consider how the science is evolving. I look forward to the many presentations that will include superb science, but also the opportunities to connect with the students, postdocs, and young scientists who are propelling the field forward with their passion and enthusiasm, offering us an exciting glimpse into the future of Canada’s science. “

– Michael Rudnicki, Ph.D., O.C., FRS, FRSC, Scientific Director, Stem Cell Network

“Stem cell and regenerative medicine research is paving the way to a future of better health for Canadians. TMM is a unique opportunity to showcase the latest advances in the field, spark collaborations, and foster knowledge exchange. We could not deliver TMM without the support of our numerous sponsors and volunteers. Thank you to the incredible community who lend their time and expertise to make TMM possible.”

– Cate Murray, President and CEO, Stem Cell Network

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About the Till & McCulloch Meetings
The Till & McCulloch Meetings (TMM) is Canada’s premier stem cell research and regenerative medicine conference, attracting attendees from across the country and internationally since 2012. Hosted by the Stem Cell Network, the conference brings together world-class scientists, post-graduate students, industry experts and legal and policy scholars who will share the latest research advances and techniques in the field. To register or learn more about the conference visit www.tillandmcculloch.ca.

About the Stem Cell Network
The Stem Cell Network (SCN) is a Canadian not-for-profit that supports stem cell and regenerative medicine research; training the next generation of highly qualified personnel; and knowledge mobilization and transfer of stem cell and regenerative medicine research. From the lab to the clinic, SCN’s goal is to power life-saving therapies and technologies through regenerative medicine research for the benefit of all. Created in 2001, with support from the Government of Canada, the Network has grown from a few dozen labs to more than 270 world-class research groups, supporting over 250 research projects and 30 clinical trials. Since its inception, over 25 biotech companies have been catalyzed or enhanced and more than 6,400 highly qualified personnel have been trained. In 2021, the Government of Canada demonstrated its continuing trust and support in SCN with an investment of $45 million for the 2022–2025 period.

Media contact:
Samantha Rae Ayoub
Vice President, Communications & Knowledge Mobilization
Stem Cell Network
613-402-3974
srae@stemcellnetwork.ca