The Third International Congress of “Stem Cells and Medical Reconstruction” in the framework of Mashhad Stem Cells Consortium organized by cooperation of The Academic Center for Education, Culture and Research (ACECR) of Khorasan Razavi, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Royan Research Institute, Iranian National Genetics Association, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences and Mashhad municipality, will be held on 13th and 14th April 2020 in the holy city of Mashhad.

Dr. Ali Akbar Shamsian, the head of the congress said, “Researches of translational stem cells and the conduct of numerous clinical trials aimed at treating incurable diseases have been widely developed in recent years. The introduction of several new cell-based therapies into the treatment over the past two years at the international level is also a milestone in this upward trend”.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran’s position in the field of stem cells and regenerative medicine among the developed countries is due to the efforts of researchers and scientists of this country. The strategic Council of Mashhad Stem Cells seeks to strengthen existing scientific links between them and helps promote this position as much as possible by facilitating the path of international communication,” he added.

“The history of the first scientific event, stem cells in Mashhad, dates back to 2007. In this event, the organizing centers in collaboration with Royan Institute have introduced activities that were carried out mainly in the capital to the basic and clinical science colleagues of Mashhad. This event maybe considered as the beginning of a cohesive activity in the northeast of the country. Many activities have been carried out in Khorasan Razavi academic and research centers since then to continue the path of holding the first National Congress in 2011 and two subsequent international events in 2015 and 2016.”

“The Academic Center for Education, Culture and Research (ACECR) of Khorasan Razavi, with four decades of experience in the field of medicine, launched its first clean room for preclinical studies in 2011 and 2014 where was used for culturing and transplantation Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). The first clinical trial using of allogeneic MSCs was carried out at this center and continue with an interactive approach to develop newer technologies and facilitate the translational pathway of these achievements,” Dr. Shamsian added.

“Mashhad Stem Cells 2020, which we are now witnessing, is the result of collective efforts at congressional centers including, ACECR Khorasan Razavi, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Royan Research Institute, Iranian Genetics Association, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, and Mashhad Municipality Special Partnership,” he went on to say.

“I invite you to participate in this event on behalf of all the organizers, students, researchers, scholars in the field, and I ask God Almighty to hold Mashhad Stem Cells 2020 better than before,” Dr. Shamsian continued.

Meanwhile, Dr. Maryam Moghaddam Matin, scientific secretary of the congress said in a statement that this scientific event is the host of the professionals and professors of basic and clinical medical sciences from across the country and abroad on stem cell researches, clinical trials of cell-based therapies, gene therapy, and cell-free products (exosomes).

“In coordination with the Iranian Genetics Society, this congress will be held on the days before the 4th International Congress and the 16th National Congress of Genetics of Tehran to provide possibilities of mutual benefit in these two scientific conferences”, Dr. Matin said.

The director of stem cell and regenerative medicine group of ACECR highlighted the scientific and specialized meetings on cell therapy and health tourism in this congress. For this reason, she noted that municipality of Mashhad has also added to the organizers of this congress.

It is worth mentioning that Mashhad Stem Cells series of events has started since 2011. It has hosted 4 national and international congresses, 7 scientific conferences and several workshops, as well as a summer school course (on ethics of clinical trial focused on cell therapy), have been held so far.

Registration and submission of abstracts will begin on January 20, 2020. Please visit mashhadstemcells.com for more information.