Mangaluru: The second biennial national conference on 'Advances in stem cell research and cell based therapy with emphasis on orthopedic, dermatological and dental applications' was held at K S Hegde Medical Academy (KSHEMA).

This conference was jointly organized by Nitte University Centre for Stem Cell Research & Regenerative Medicine (NUCSReM) and department of orthopaedics, KSHEMA. The conference comprised of seven scientific sessions, a total of 16 faculty talks, eight delegates’ paper presentations and 35 poster presentations with the participation of 190 delegates.

KSHEMA STEMCON-2017 was inaugurated on December 22 by N Vinaya Hegde, chancellor of Nitte (deemed to be university). In his inaugural address, Hegde emphasized the growing importance of stem cell research in medical education and called upon the students and faculty to utilize R & D infrastructure created at KSHEMA in the best way. He later released the conference proceedings. Prof (Dr ) B Satheesh Kumar Bhandary, vice-chancellor of Nitte (deemed to be university) presided over the function.

The resource persons from abroad Prof. (Dr) A Ananthram Shetty, chair of orthopaedics and director of Research, Institute of Medical Sciences, faculty of health and wellbeing, Canterbury Christchurch University, Kent, UK, and Prof (Dr) Seok Jung Kim, director of Cell Therapy Centre and an orthopaedic surgeon at The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea, both have been serving as adjunct faculty at NUCSReM since 2013. Dr Suk-Hyun Cho, senior member of healthcare, review and assessment committee, Seoul, South Korea, and Prof (Dr) M Shantharam Shetty, pro-chancellor of Nitte (deemed to be university) were the guests of honour. Dr Yogeesh Kamat was the observer from Karnataka Medical Council. Prof (Dr) P S Prakash, dean, KSHEMA delivered the welcome address and Prof (Dr) K Jayaprakash Shetty, vice-dean, KSHEMA spoke about the conference. Dr Lawrence Mathias, head, department of orthopaedics proposed the vote of thanks. Dr Ankeeta, KSHEMA compered the programme.