Detroit - Detroit set to host 2010 World Stem Cell Summit

metromode, 10/22/2009

Michigan's Big Three in higher education will host the 2010 World Stem Cell Summit in Detroit next fall.

Michigan's University Research Corridor (University of Michigan, Michigan State University and Wayne State University) brought the event here. The idea is to help spur more investment and innovation in this growing sector of the state's economy.

"It's very important for our state to be recognized on a national level," says Eva Feldman, a professor of neurology at the University of Michigan. "We can be at the forefront of stem cell research, thanks to the passage of Proposal 2."

Feldman also quarterbacks the stem cell research efforts at U-M. She says Michigan is starting to be recognized as an "emerging power" in this game now that Proposal 2 legalized embryonic stem cell research in the state.

The summit, organized by the non-profit Genetics Policy Institute, is expected to attract more than 1,200 stakeholders in the stem cell industry from more than 30 countries. The idea is to foster collaborations, economic development, technology transfer, commercialization, private investment, philanthropy, and just good old networking. Previous host cities include Houston, Boston, Baltimore, and Madison, Wis.

The conference will take place Oct. 4-6, 2010, at the Renaissance Center in downtown Detroit.

Source: Eva Feldman, a professor of neurology at the University of Michigan
Writer: Jon Zemke

Ann Arbor , Detroit