NARILIS symposium 2016 focused on "Stem cell research"

NARILIS symposium 2016 focused on "Stem cell research"

NARILIS symposium was held on the 23rd of April at the auditoire Heremans of the CHU UCL Namur (Godinne) and gathered ~60 researchers and clinicians around the thematic of stem cells.

NARILIS wishes to sincerely thank all speakers for taking part in its annual symposium and for their very interesting topics and high quality talks!

During the first session dedicated to basic STEM CELL BIOLOGY, Prof. Patsy Renard (URBC, UNamur) demonstrated the role of mitochondria in the self-renewal and differenciation of stem cells.

In the second session, the existence and role of CANCER STEM CELLS in breast cancer and melanoma were discussed by Prof. B. Flamion (URPhym, UNamur) and Prof. Jean-Pierre Gillet (URPhym, UNamur), respectively.

In the third session, the potential and clinical applications of STEM CELLS IN REGENERATIVE MEDICINE AND DISEASE MODELING were illustrated through different talks: i.e. modeling and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases by Prof. Charles Nicaise (URPhym, UNamur), hematopoietic stem cell transplantation by Prof. M. André (Hematology, CHU UCL Namur Godinne) and treatment of liver diseases by Dr. Najimi Mustapha (Laboratory of Pediatric Hepatology & cell therapy, UCL). The ethical issues raised by stem cell research were discussed by Prof. Laurent Ravez (Bioethics, UNamur). Moreover, the post-doc researcher Dr. Abdallah Mound showed the expertise from the Cell & Tissue Laboratory (URPhym, UNamur) in the 3D reconstruction of human epidermis and in vitro modeling of atopic dermatitis.

Finally, our guest speaker from the biopharmaceutical company Celyad, Dr. Georges Rawadi, VP Business development, presented the innovative cell based therapies developed by Celyad in cardiology and oncology.

NARILIS also warmly thanks all those who presented a poster describing their research work!

Lastly, special congratulations to the bachelor "research students" from the Department of Veterinary Medicine of the UNamur (see picture of the students wearing red t-shirts)! Their posters reflect the brilliant works they performed within the OASIS research group, a team led by Prof. Jean-Michel Vandeweerd (Integrated veterinary research unit, UNamur) and Prof. Jean-François Nisolle (Diagnostic imaging, CHU UCL Namur).

Thanks to all for taking part!