Dinner@Dana: Superman’s Last Wish

Stem cells are radically reshaping medical research. The extraordinary power of stem cells to renew and change form has revolutionised treatment for leukaemia. But what about treating spinal-cord injuries or neurological diseases?

Embryonic stem cells have the greatest potential to regenerate and form a huge range of tissues and cells. They could hold the key to a renewable source of replacement cells and tissues to treat Parkinson's and Alzheimer's, spinal-cord injuries, strokes, heart disease and diabetes.

By cloning embryos scientists can derive stem cells that are an exact genetic match for the patient they could be used to treat. These personalised stem cells offer a hugely exciting avenue for medical research to study diseases and potential new therapies.

These are all grand claims. But just how likely is it that scientists and clinicians will be able to live up to them? And what barriers must they overcome?

Dinner@Dana invites you to join Professor Chris Shaw, clinical neurologist and neurogeneticist from King's College London, to discuss the realities behind the research.

This event is organised by Café Scientifique. Tickets cost £15, which includes a two-course meal and a drink.

Speakers

Chris Shaw, clinical neurologist, King's College London