Global Forum Discusses Stem Cell Research Strategy

The Global Forum presented an ideal opportunity for the ISSCR to step back and assess its direction. Core strengths of the ISSCR include its scientific integrity and excellence, and its outstanding membership comprised of research leaders worldwide. Global Forum participants noted, however, that the field of stem cell research is becoming progressively multidisciplinary and dependent on a greater degree of international collaboration. Recognizing that an ultimate goal is to harness the potential of stem cells for use in drug discovery, diagnosis, and therapy, Global Advisory Council members urged the ISSCR to develop a strategy to engage a larger base of bioengineers and clinicians to participate in the Society. The recommendations included co-organizing a limited number of small workshops to bring key leaders in these arenas together with ISSCR members to explore common interests, and to promote further collaboration. A precedent was set for regionally driven affiliated meetings in 2007 in Shanghai, and this mechanism could be extended to multidisciplinary and clinical angles of stem cell biology such as tissue engineering, imaging, cord blood banking, and disease-based themes. Weaving new technologies and clinical topics into the current annual meeting series will also be an important step in maintaining relevance in a fast-moving research environment.The Global Forum was the first of what we hope will become an annual ritual of introspection for the ISSCR. We are honored to have such a distinguished advisory committee committed to the same goals and vision of the ISSCR, and we feel confident that the Global Advisory Council will be an invaluable asset to our organization and the field in the years ahead .Table 1ISSCR Global Advisory CouncilNameTitleAffiliationMukesh AmbaniChairmanIndian Petrochemicals Corporation Limited, Reliance Petroleum Limited, and Reliance Retail LimitedPaul Berg, PhDEmeritus ProfessorStanford University School of MedicineGreg Bonfiglio, JDManaging DirectorProteus Venture PartnersBrook H. ByersPartnerKleiner Perkins Caufield & ByersGerald Lokchung ChanCo-FounderMorningside GroupGordon Keller, PhDDirectorMcEwen Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University Health Network Senior Scientist, Ontario Cancer InstituteJim Yong Kim, MD, PhDCenter DirectorFrancois-Xavier Bagnoud Center for Health and Human Rights (FXB), Harvard School of Public HealthRobert KleinChairIndependent Citizens' Oversight Committee, California Institute for Regenerative MedicineWilliam Kridel, PhDPrincipal and FounderFerghana Partners GroupRob McEwenChairman and CEOUS Gold CorporationWilliam Neaves, PhDPresident and Chief Executive OfficerStowers Institute for Medical ResearchBeth Seidenberg, MDPartnerKleiner Perkins Caufield & ByersPaul J. Simmons, PhDProfessor and DirectorCentre for Stem Cell Research, Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine (IMM), University of Texas Health Sciences Center at HoustonEleni Tsakopoulos-KounalakisPresidentAKT DevelopmentLeonard I. Zon, MDGrousbeck ProfessorHHMI, Children's Hospital Boston, Harvard Medical School