PRELIMINARY PROGRAM

STRESA, ITALY
MAY 14 - 16, 2009

FONDAZIONE
OSPEDALE MAGGIORE POLICLINICO
MANGIAGALLI E REGINA ELENA

Università degli Studi di Milano

Centro di Ricerca sulle Cellule Staminali

Progress in stem cell

biology and medical
applications

Your Continuing Medical Education Partner

www.seronosymposia.org
Serono Symposia International Foundation
Conference on:

Progress in stem cell biology and medical

applications Stresa, Italy - May 14 - 16, 2009

AIM OF THE CONFERENCE

Stem cell research is currently one of the most active fields in biology as
well as one of the most controversial. It attracts attention from the
scientific community and from the general public, often sending
contradictory messages: great hopes for a rapid development of innovative
therapies or great fears of overstepping natural boundaries that shouldn’t
be reached.
The research area related to all the different aspects of stem cell research
is vast and impossible to cover to any significant extent within the format
of a Conference. Therefore we decided to operate a selection based upon
our collective experience and scientific interests in order to bring together
scientists with different backgrounds and experimental approaches
stimulating interdisciplinary contacts in a relaxed environment.
The Conference will deal with the basic concepts of stemness and cellular
reprogramming which will be illustrated side by side with the related
aspects of reproductive biology. Assisted reproduction will be seen both as
source of different types of stem cells as well as target for innovative
therapies. Tissue specific stem cells are sometimes seen as an alternative
to pluripotent stem cells and the Conference will illustrate progress in two
very active field: muscular/cardiac tissue and the central nervous system.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
At the conclusion of this Conference, the participants will have an updated
knowledge on:
• The principles and mechanisms which define a stem cell;
• The concept that phenotype is no longer an immutable feature of
somatic cells;
• The close relationship between reproductive biology, stem cells and
infertility treatments;
• The biology of stem cells within muscular and cardiac tissues and their
therapeutic applications;
• The rapidly evolving knowledge on stem cells within the nervous
system and the promise of curing neurodegenerative diseases.
 XXX

TARGET AUDIENCE
Basic scientists, embryologists, neurologists, obstetricians, gynecologists,
cardiologists, health institution managers and post graduate students
involved in stem cell biology, reproductive biology, neurology and muscular
physiopathology.

ACCREDITATION
Serono Symposia International Foundation (www.seronosymposia.org)
will submit this program “Progress in stem cell biology and medical
applications” (Stresa, Italy - May 14 - 16, 2009) for accreditation by the
European Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education
(EACCME).
Serono Symposia International Foundation will apply to the Royal College
of Physicians, London (UK), for CME accreditation of the Conference
“Progress in stem cell biology and medical applications” (Stresa,
Italy - May 14 -16, 2009).
Serono Symposia International Foundation will submit this program
“Progress in stem cell biology and medical applications” (Stresa,
Italy - May 14 -16, 2009) for CME accreditation by the Italian Ministry of
Health.

All Serono Symposia International Foundation programs are organized solely to promote the exchange
and dissemination of scientific and medical information. No forms of promotional activities are
permitted. There may be presentations discussing investigational uses of various products. These views
are the responsibility of the named speakers, and do not represent an endorsement or recommendation
on the part of Serono Symposia International Foundation. This program is supported by an unrestricted
educational grant from Serono Symposia International Foundation.
SCIENTIFIC ORGANIZER
Fulvio Gandolfi
Laboratory of Biomedical Embryology
Center for Stem Cell Research
University of Milan
Milan, Italy

CHAIRMAN
Guido Ragni
Infertility Unit
Fondazione IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico
Mangiagalli e Regina Elena
Milan, Italy

SCIENTIFIC SECRETARIAT
Serono Symposia International Foundation
Salita di San Nicola da Tolentino, 1/b - 00187 Rome, Italy
Project Manager: Francesca Pellegrino
Phone: +39-06-420413 511- Fax: +39-06-420413 677
E-mail: francesca.pellegrino@seronosymposia.org
Serono Symposia International Foundation
is a Swiss Foundation with headquarters in
14, rue du Rhône, 1204 Geneva, Switzerland

ORGANIZING SECRETARIAT
Meridiano Congress International
Via Mentana, 2/B - 00185 Rome, Italy
Point Person: Federica Russetti
Phone: +39-06-88595 209 - Fax: +39-06-88595 234
E-mail: f.russetti@meridiano.it
 List of Speakers and Chairmen

SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE
Elena Cattaneo
Department of Pharmacological Sciences
and UniStem-Centre for Stem Cell Research
University of Milan
Milan, Italy
Giancarlo Comi
Institute of Experimental Neurology
University Vita-Salute IRCCS
San Raffaele Hospital
Milan, Italy
Giulio Cossu
Division of Regenerative Medicine, Dibit
San Raffaele Hospital
Milan, Italy
Bruno Peault
Stem Cell Research Center
Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Pittsburgh, USA
Guido Ragni
Infertility Unit
Fondazione IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico
Mangiagalli e Regina Elena
Milan, Italy
Paolo Rebulla
U.O. Centro di Medicina Trasfusionale
Terapia Cellulare e Criobiologia
Fondazione IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico
Mangiagalli e Regina Elena
Milan, Italy
Yvan Torrente
Department of Neurological Sciences
University of Milan
Milan, Italy
Alan Trounson
California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM)
San Francisco, USA
LIST OF SPEAKERS AND CHAIRMEN

Tiziano Barberi
Laboratory of Stem Cells and Development
Beckman Research Institute
Duarte, USA

Ferruccio Bonino
Scientific Director
Fondazione IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico
Mangiagalli e Regina Elena
Milan, Italy

Tiziana Brevini
Laboratory of Biomedical Embryology
UniStem-Centre for Stem Cell Research
University of Milan
Milan, Italy

Elena Cattaneo
Department of Pharmacological Sciences
and UniStem-Centre for Stem Cell Research
University of Milan
Milan, Italy

Ian Chambers
MRC Centre Development in Stem Cell Biology
Institute for Stem Cell Research
School of Biological Sciences
University of Edinburgh
Edinburgh, UK

Giancarlo Comi
Institute of Experimental Neurology
University Vita-Salute IRCCS
San Raffaele Hospital
Milan, Italy

Giulio Cossu
Division of Regenerative Medicine, Dibit
San Raffaele Hospital
Milan, Italy
 List of Speakers and Chairmen

Sandra Danner
Group Manager Cell Differentiation
Fraunhofer Institute of Marine Biotechnology (EMB)
Lübeck, Germany

Sheng Ding
Department of Chemistry
The Scripps Research Institute
La Jolla, USA

Martin Evans
Director of the School of Biosciences
and Professor of Mammalian Genetics
Cardiff School of Biosciences
Cardiff, UK

Amanda G. Fisher
Lymphocyte Development Group
MRC Clinical Sciences Centre
Imperial College School of Medicine
Hammersmith Hospital
London, UK

G. Ian Gallicano
Department of Biochemistry
& Molecular & Cellular Biology
Georgetown University Medical Center
Washington, USA

Fulvio Gandolfi
Laboratory of Biomedical Embryology
Center for Stem Cell Research
University of Milan
Milan, Italy

Luca Gianaroli
Reproductive Medicine Unit
Italian Society for the Study
of Reproductive Medicine
Bologna, Italy
Kaomei Guan
Department of Cardiology and Pneumology
Georg-August-University of Göttingen
Göttingen, Germany

Lorenza Lazzari
Cell Factory
Centro di Medicina Trasfusionale, Terapia Cellulare e Criobiologia
Fondazione IRCCS
Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico Mangiagalli e Regina Elena
Milan, Italy

Gianvito Martino
Neuroimmunology Unit - Institute of
Experimental Neurology (Inspe)
San Raffaele Scientific Institute
Milan, Italy

Alexander Meissner
Department of Stem Cell
and Regenerative Biology
Harvard Stem Cell Institute
Harvard University
Cambridge, USA

Christine L. Mummery
Department of Anatomy and Embryology
Leiden University Medical Centre
Leiden, The Netherlands

Karim Nayernia
Stem Cell Biology
Institute of Human Genetics
University of Newcastle upon Tyne
International Centre for Life
Newcastle upon Tyne, UK

Bruno Peault
Stem Cell Research Center
Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Pittsburgh, USA
 List of Speakers and Chairmen

Guido Ragni
Infertility Unit
Fondazione IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico
Mangiagalli e Regina Elena
Milan, Italy

Paolo Rebulla
U.O. Centro di Medicina Trasfusionale
Terapia Cellulare e Criobiologia
Fondazione IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico
Mangiagalli e Regina Elena
Milan, Italy

Stefan Schlatt
Centre for Reproductive Medicine and Andrology
University of Münster
Münster, Germany

Azim Surani
Wellcome Trust Cancer Research
UK Gurdon Institute
Cambridge, UK

Yvan Torrente
Department of Neurological Sciences
University of Milan
Milan, Italy

Alan Trounson
California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM)
San Francisco, USA
 THURSDAY - MAY 14, 2009

15.00 Registration

16.00 SSIF Welcome

Giancarlo Comi, Italy

16.10 Opening Remarks

Guido Ragni, Italy

16.15 Opening Lecture “Embryonic and other stem cells: a perspective”

Martin Evans, UK - Nobel laureate 2007
Chairman: Fulvio Gandolfi, Italy

SESSION 1
Stemness and pluripotency
Chairmen: Elena Cattaneo, Italy - Bruno Peault, USA

17.00 Transcription factor control of ES cell self-renewal

Ian Chambers, UK

17.40 Noisy stem cells: Dynamic equilibrium and heterogeneity in

pluripotent stem cells
Azim Surani, UK

18.20 The Role of MicroRNAs in Stem Cell Function

G. Ian Gallicano, USA

19.30 - 22.00 Cheese & Wine Get Together

 Scientific Program

FRIDAY - MAY 15, 2009

SESSION 2
Stem cells from reproduction
Chairmen: Alan Trounson, USA - Ferruccio Bonino, Italy

08.30 Multipotent adult germline stem cells

Kaomei Guan, Germany

09.10 Stem cells from parthenogenetic embryos

Tiziana Brevini, Italy

09.50 Progenitor cells with multi-lineage potential in human amniotic

fluid
Lorenza Lazzari, Italy

10.30 Coffee Break

SESSION 3
Cell reprogramming
Chairmen: Martin Evans, UK - Azim Surani, UK

11.00 Strategies and New Developments in the Generation of Patient-

Specific Pluripotent Stem Cells
Alexander Meissner, USA

11.40 A Combined Chemical and Genetic Approach for the Generation

of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells/ A chemical approach to stem-
cell biology and regenerative medicine
Sheng Ding, USA

12.20 Heterokaryon-Based Reprogramming of somatic cells

Amanda G. Fisher, UK

13.00 Lunch
 SESSION 4
Stem cells for the therapy of infertility
Chairman: Luca Gianaroli, Italy

14.30 Spermatogonial stem cells: questions, models and perspectives

Stefan Schlatt, Germany

15.10 From stem cells to germ cells and back

Karim Nayernia, UK

15.50 Derivation of oocytes from somatic stem cell lines

Sandra Danner, Germany

16.30 Coffee Breaks

SESSION 5
Stem cells in vascular, muscular and cardiac tissues
Chairman: Yvan Torrente, Italy

17.00 An ubiquitous reserve of multi-lineage mesodermal progenitors in

blood vessel wall
Bruno Peault, USA

17.40 New therapies for Duchenne muscular dystrophy: challenges,

prospects and clinical trials
Giulio Cossu, Italy

18.20 Cardiomyocytes from human embryonic stem cells in

development and disease
Christine L. Mummery, The Netherlands

20.30 Conference Dinner

 Scientific Program

SATURDAY - MAY 16, 2009

SESSION 6
Stem cells in the nervous system
Chairman: Giancarlo Comi, Italy

09.00 Reconstructing the Human Neural Crest in Vitro from Embryonic

Stem Cells
Tiziano Barberi, USA

09.40 Neural stem cell lines

Elena Cattaneo, Italy

10.20 Therapeutic plasticity of neural stem cells

Gianvito Martino, Italy

11.00 Coffee Break

11.30 Closing Lecture “Integration and translation: driving stem cell

therapies toward the clinic”
Alan Trounson, USA
Chairman: Giulio Cossu, Italy

12.15 Closing ceremony

12.30 End of the Conference

VENUE
The Conference will take place at the:
REGINA PALACE HOTEL ****
Corso Umberto I, 29 - 28838 Stresa (Verbania)
Phone: +39-0323-936936
Fax: +39-0323-936666
E-mail: reception@regina-palace.it
Web site: www.regina-palace.it

LANGUAGE
The official language of this Conference will be English.

REGISTRATION FEE
The registration fee is A 350,00.
This fee includes:
• All sessions
• Conference coffee breaks, luncheons
• Conference dinner (May 15, 2009)
• Congress material
• Certificate of attendance
* If you require special assistance (wheelchair, auxiliary aids) or special
dietary requirements, please, contact us at f.russetti@meridiano.it

HOTEL ACCOMMODATION
See the enclosed Hotel Accommodation Form.

PERSONAL DATA TREATMENT - INFORMATIVE DOCUMENT

In compliance with the article 13 of Italian Legislative Decree n. 196, 30 June 2003,
we inform you that your personal data will be processed, with or without the use of
electronic or automated means, via suitable tools that will guarantee security and
confidentiality. Personal data from you supplied will be communicated to
Continuing Medical Education Accreditation Authorities, to agencies that will take
care of the whole accreditation process and agencies that will take care of the
logistics of the event; should we not receive the below requested data, we will not
be able to process your registration to the event.
At anytime you may exercise your rights as laid down in the art. 7 of Italian
Legislative Decree n. 196, 30 June 2003 of the Italian Law, by contacting the Data
Controller Serono Symposia International Foundation (Salita di San Nicola da
Tolentino, 1/b - 00187 Rome - Italy) in the person of Data Processor, Michèle
Piraux.
 General Information

HOW TO REACH STRESA

­ BY AIR 35 km from Malpensa 2000 airport.

110 km from Linate airport.

­ BY TRAIN FFSS Milano - Domodossola, Station of Stresa.

­ BY CAR Highway A26 exit Carpugnino - Stresa

LOCATION
Stresa is a small town on the shores of the Lago (Lake) Maggiore and
situated on the road and rail routes to the Simplon pass in the region of
Piedmont in Italy. Since the early 20th century, the main source of income
has been the tourist trade. Like other locations on Lago Maggiore, it
benefits from spectacular views as well as areas of historical and
architectural interest. The name of Stresa first appeared in documents
dated 998; it has been under the jurisdiction and therefore property of
Borromei and Visconti families until the 19th century, when, thanks to the
presence of famous personages like Rosmini, Manzoni and the Duchess
of Genoa, that is Elizabeth of Sassonia, Stresa began to gain prestige.
The construction of the Simplon railway, at the beginning of the 20th
century, gave Stresa international fame. From the promenade, sprinkled
with grand hotels, villas, parks and gardens, you can have a magnificent
view of the three islands of Lago Maggiore, and of the Alps far away.
 Registration Form

Serono Symposia International Foundation

Conference on:

Progress in stem cell biology and medical

applications Stresa, Italy - May 14 - 16, 2009

Last Name First Name Academic Title

Institution Department

Address

City State/Country Zip

Office Telephone Number(s) Mobile Telephone Number(s)

Fax Number E-mail

REGISTRATION FEE: € 350,00

Please, note that Auditorium room capacity is limited for this event. Preference will be
given to early registrations.
I require special assistance (wheelchair, auxiliary aids) or special dietary requirements

PAYMENT

Payment by enclosed International check

Payable to: “Meridiano Viaggi e Turismo srl”

Payment by Bank Transfer headed to: “Meridiano viaggi e turismo s.r.l"

BANCA INTERMOBILIARE INVESTIMENTI E GESTIONI S.p.A
FILIALE DI ROMA - VIA DONIZETTI, 14 - 00198 ROMA
Account number: 000000003808
IT11 C030 4303 2000 0000 0003 808 - SWIFT: BIMTITTTXXX

Payment by Credit Card

Charge to the following Credit Card: MasterCard/EuroCard Visa

Card Number Exp. Date

Card Holder Name (PLEASE PRINT) Card Holder’s Signature Date

ONLY REGISTRATION FORMS ACCOMPANIED WITH PAYMENT CAN BE PROCESSED.

Mail to: Federica Russetti • Meridiano Congress International
Via Mentana, 2/B • 00185 Rome, Italy
Phone: +39-06-88595 209 • Fax: +39-06-88595 234
E-mail: f.russetti@meridiano.it
Payment can be made by check or Bank Transfer or MasterCard/Visa.
All completed Registration Forms will be acknowledged by mail or fax.
Cancellations after February 27, 2009 will not be reimbursed.
Mail to:
Meridiano Congress International
Att: Federica Russetti
Via Mentana, 2/B
00185 Rome
Italy
 Hotel Accommodation Form

Serono Symposia International Foundation

Conference on:
Progress in stem cell biology and medical
applications Stresa, Italy - May 14 - 16, 2009

Last Name First Name Academic Title

Institution Department

Address

City State/Country Zip

Office Telephone Number(s) Mobile Telephone Number(s)

Fax Number E-mail

For hotel reservation, please return the completed form with full prepayment of the requested nights.
Hotel Reservation forms without prepayment cannot be processed.
DEADLINE FOR RESERVATIONS: February 27, 2009
Cancellations after February 27, 2009 will not be reimbursed.
Reservations after this date are not guaranteed and will be made on a space-available basis.

REGINA PALACE HOTEL ****

Single room: € 180,00 per night Double room: € 260,00 per night

Check in Check out (N° of nights: )

Rates include breakfast and city taxes.

PAYMENT

Payment by Bank Transfer headed to: “Meridiano viaggi e turismo s.r.l"

BANCA INTERMOBILIARE INVESTIMENTI E GESTIONI S.p.A
FILIALE DI ROMA - VIA DONIZETTI, 14 - 00198 ROMA
Account number: 000000003808
IT11 C030 4303 2000 0000 0003 808 - SWIFT: BIMTITTTXXX

Payment by Credit Card (Handling fee 3.5%):

Charge to the following Credit Card: MasterCard/EuroCard Visa

Card Number Exp. Date

Card Holder Name (PLEASE PRINT) Card Holder’s Signature Date

Mail to: Federica Russetti • Meridiano Congress International

Via Mentana, 2/B • 00185 Rome, Italy
Phone: +39-06-88595 209 • Fax: +39-06-88595 234
E-mail: f.russetti@meridiano.it
Mail to:
Meridiano Congress International
Att: Federica Russetti
Via Mentana, 2/B
00185 Rome
Italy
 FONDAZIONE
OSPEDALE MAGGIORE POLICLINICO
MANGIAGALLI E REGINA ELENA

Università degli Studi di Milano

Centro di Ricerca sulle Cellule Staminali

Your Continuing Medical Education Partner

www.seronosymposia.org
Copyright © Serono Symposia International Foundation, 2009. All rights reserved.