Advancement in regenerative technology for disease treatment becoming core business

BUTTERWORTH: The advancement in regenerative technology for disease treatment, including stem cell therapies, have become a core business for developed countries.
Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) deputy vice chancellor (Research and Innovation) Professor Datuk Dr. Muhamad Jantan said developments in material engineering enabled 3D printing of bio-compatible materials, cells and supporting components into complex 3D functional living tissues.
"As a result, issues related to organ or tissue transplantation as well as treating aged and diseased tissues can be better addressed.
"However, the clinical success in translating from bench to bedside will require deeper understanding of the basic biology of the stem cell niche and coordination between stem cell biologist and those in other fields of regenerative medicine," he said today.
He said this in when opening the Sixth Malaysian Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine Scientific Meeting (6th MTERM 2016) and the second Malaysian Stem Cell Meeting today.
Muhamad was representing USM vice chancellor Professor Datuk Dr Asma Ismail who is away on official duties in India.
Among those presenting papers included world renowned scientists Professor Justin Cooper White from the University of Queensland Australia and also Professor Jackie Ying from Institute of Bio-engineering and Nanotechnology (IBN), Singapore.
Topics covered in the two day conference include stem cell and regenerative medicine, gene therapy and reprogramming, territorials and tissue regeneration and also natural products for regenerative therapies.