A University of Florida College of Medicine researcher has established a new professional medical organization, the first to unite scientists from different stem cell disciplines. The aim of group is to put scientists from all stem cell disciplines in contact with each other in order to exchange ideas. Bryon Petersen, an assistant professor in the department of pathology, immunology and laboratory medicine, founded the new organization, named the Society of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Biology. Petersen, who was recently honored for his work, specializes in liver stem cell research. There's a lot we can learn from each other - we've just got to get everybody together.
Stem cells can act as blueprints for all the cells of the body.
In recent years, scientists have discovered that stem cells have the ability to convert into many different types of cells - muscle, nerve, heart, blood cells and others. That may someday mean that scientists will be able to produce specialized cells and tissue that can be used for transplantation to treat diseases. The society began accepting membership applications in December. Petersen hopes to convene the first meeting in the fall. In recognition of his outstanding research into liver regeneration, Petersen was selected by the Japanese Society of Hepatology as the distinguished lecturer for its 13th Annual Seminar in Liver Regeneration held in Tokyo in December.