Today, new studies by two research groups were published in leading peer-reviewed scientific journals, Cell and Science, demonstrating for the first time that human skin cells can be transformed into embryonic stem cell-like cells.

More than 300 scientists gathered in Shanghai today for the opening of the 2007 Shanghai International Symposium on Stem Cell Research, jointly organized by the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR), and the Shanghai Institutes of Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences (SIBS/CAS) and other research institutes in China.

Local students from Cairns State High School CSHS will have the opportunity to experience first-hand the high-level discussions and presentations at the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) 5 th Annual Meeting.

ISSCR released its Guidelines for the Conduct of Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research, calling for special scrutiny of human embryonic stem cell research and specify rigorous ethical standards for scientists working with human embryonic stem cells, and seeking to promote responsible, transparent and uniform practices worldwide.