Symposium and Workshop Pluripotent Stem Cells in Adult Mammalian Gonads 6-7 September 2013 Organized by National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health (NIRRH), Mumbai
Indian Council of Medical Research
&
Indian Society for the Study of Reproduction & Fertility (ISSRF)
Overview: Primordial germ cells which migrate into the gonadal ridges during early development persist into adulthood as very small embryonic-like stem cells (VSELs), not only in the gonads but also various adult body tissues. They maintain lifelong homeostasis and have far-reaching implications in reproductive health. Recent discovery of VSELs in various adult body organs including gonads have sparked an interest from a regenerative medicine point of view. This symposium is designed to introduce VSELs and ovarian stem cells and their role in reproductive health. VSELs are yet poorly studied stem cells in testis (being more primitive to spermatogonial stem cells) and in ovary along with the ovarian stem cells are responsible for oogenesis in adult life. They are implicated during menopause, PCOS, POF and other pathologies including cancers. They can also be targeted to restore fertility in cancer survivors. As a part of workshop, training will be given to identify and isolate these VSELs from the mammalian gonads.
Target Audience: The symposium/ workshop will be useful to researchers working in the area of reproductive biology having interest in stem cell biology.
Objectives: The aim of the course is to create awareness on the concept of recently
discovered VSELs in adult mammalian gonads and the implications in reproductive biology. The workshop also aims to train participants on methods to identify and isolate these VSELs from mammalian gonads. VSELs Concept The concept of presence of stem cells in adult ovary is highly debated, but they exist and are as active as spermatogonial stem cells. The Figure (below) is taken from a recent review of Woods and Tilly (2013) where they have compared testicular and ovarian stem cells. They still do not acknowledge existence of VSELs in mammalian gonads. But VSELs exist not only in adult mammalian ovary but also in adult testis. The workshop will provide new advances in field of gonadal stem cells, concept of primordial follicle assembly in adult ovary rather than the concept of fixed number of follicles and about a common and most primitive stem cell population in adult mammalian gonads.
The training course, limited to 15 participants, will provide an overview on VSELs –
pluripotent stem cells existing in adult mammalian gonads For further queries please contact on e-mail vselnirrh@gmail.com
Please apply directly for the Symposium & Workshop at vselnirrh@gmail.com Provide a small write up how you will be benefited by participating in the workshop.
Registration fees for the event is Rs 500/-. Last date for application is 30th July 2013.
Organizing Secretary Course Coordinator
Dr Deepa Bhartiya
Dr SD Kholkute
Scientist E and Head Director
Stem Cell Biology Dept, NIRRH NIRRH
Parel, Mumbai 400012 Parel, Mumbai 400012
Ph No. 2 419 2012 Ph No. 2 419 2002 Brochure : http://www.nirrh.res.in/announcements/Pluripotent-Workshop.pdf
