Stem cells and their potential to treat diseases or injuries that don’t have a cure will be discussed at a free public lecture at the University of Bath next Thursday (14 May).
What are stem cells and how do they work? Professor Melanie Welham, from the University’s Department of Pharmacy & Pharmacology, will explain their function in the body and the possibilities they provide for medical treatment and research.
She will discuss important and exciting new findings from her research into stem cells and give a balanced answer to the question of how we all stand to benefit from them in the future.
Stem cells are unspecialised cells present within our bodies that replace damaged and worn out cells. Stem cells from embryos have the ability to change into almost any other cell type and harnessing this could help patients suffering from many types of diseases.
There is also scope to use them to test and improve new drugs, and to use them in scientific research as models of human disease and development.
Professor Welham said: “During this lecture, I will discuss why understanding the behaviour of stem cells is so important to reaping the benefits that they offer to so many.
“Over the past decade our understanding of stem cells has increased rapidly. In order for many to benefit from the potential that they offer a number of challenges need to be addressed, both ethical and scientific.”
This inaugural lecture will take place at 6.15pm in Lecture Theatre 2 East 3.1 on Thursday 14 May at the Claverton campus. For a free ticket please email Lisa Rogers at L.A.Rogers@bath.ac.uk or call 01225 383782.