Date:07/11/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/11/07/stories/2009110759570300.htm

Kerala - Kochi

Stem cell research can help treat diseases: expert

Staff Reporter

KOCHI: Stem cell research would pave the way for treating degenerative diseases, said Claude Bernard, Associate Director, Immunology and Stem Cells Laboratories, Monash University, Australia. He was speaking at the 36th international conference of the Association of Clinical Biochemists of India (ACBI) here on Friday.

In a presentation on Stem Cells in the Treatment of Genetic Diseases, Dr. Bernard explained the generation of stem cells from animals and humans and different forms are attained in culturing them. On Thursday, Jayshree Bhattacharjee, director, professor and Head of the Department of Biotechnology, Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi, said in her presentation that women at menopause are at risk of having a heart attack as the body undergoes hormone changes and resistance to diseases is low. Dr. Shanti Kumar Nair of Amrita Institute, Dr. M. V. R. Reddy, Dr. Michael Oellerich, Dr. B. K. Rana and Dr. Tom Hardley made presentations that were the highlights of the conference that began on Wednesday.