The University of Nebraska Medical Center and co-sponsors in 20 communities across Nebraska invite the public to participate in the UNMC Mini-Medical School, a free health educational forum titled, “Stem Cells: The Promise of 21st Century Research.”
The forum will be held on Nov. 28 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. (central time). It will be broadcast live from the UNMC Durham Research Center Auditorium in Omaha via satellite to: Atkinson, Broken Bow, Chadron, Columbus, Grand Island, Harrison, Hastings, Holdrege, Kearney, Lincoln, Lynch, Norfolk, North Platte, Osmond, Red Cloud, Rushville, Scottsbluff, Sidney, Valentine and Wayne. It will also be available at Clarkson West Medical Center, 144th & Center, Suite 200, Omaha.
Anyone with the satellite downlink capability can tune in to the series on Nebraska Satellite System 2, Channel 102.
UNMC’s experts in stem cell research will outline the history behind the research and explain the difference between embryonic and adult stem cells, their function and potential.
Presenters will be: Thomas Rosenquist, Ph.D, UNMC vice chancellor for research and professor of genetics, cell biology and anatomy, who will give an overview of stem cells titled, “A Primer;” and David Crouse, Ph.D., UNMC associate vice chancellor for academic affairs and professor of genetics, cell biology and anatomy, whose talk is titled, “Separating Fact from Fiction.”
The final presentation for the evening will be a panel discussion titled, “Your Questions Answered,” and will be moderated by Dr. Rosenquist.
There are two major sources of stem cells: embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells.
“There’s enormous hope that embryonic stem cells can be used in the future to treat terrible diseases such as emphysema, spinal cord injuries, heart disease, diabetes, liver and kidney disease, Parkinson’s disease and several other neurodegenerative diseases, Dr. Crouse said. “Studies in animal models have shown pretty remarkable properties for embryonic stem cells in terms of potential therapeutic use,” said Dr. Crouse.
“We’re very early in the process of understanding these cells and knowing how they may be used most effectively. There may also be new potential therapeutic uses for adult stem cells. There is still much to learn,” he said.
The source of embryonic stem cells, which were first isolated in 1998, is human eggs that have been fertilized in a laboratory for in vitro reproductive procedures. Unused embryos often are discarded, or donated for research with informed consent. Embryonic stem cells, in the pre-implantation embryos, are the foundation for cells for organs and tissues, Dr. Crouse said. They program themselves and can develop to perform any number of specialized tasks, and because of this may have potential therapeutic value.
Adult stem cells are found in tissues that have already developed. The primary roles of adult stem cells in a living organism are to maintain and repair the tissue in which they are found. Blood stem cells now are routinely used as replacements for bone marrow and stem cell transplants to successfully treat such cancers as leukemia and lymphoma. Scientists have worked with adult stem cells for the past 40 years to achieve this level of understanding and application, Dr. Crouse said.
Seating for Mini-Medical School is limited. Registration is required. To get more information or to register, go to http://www.unmc.edu/minimed. While the program is free to the public, continuing education credits are available for $20 for nurses (2.6 contact hours), nurse practitioners, physicians and physician assistants (maxiumum 2.6 Category 1 Credit).
Locations of free UNMC Mini-Medical School series and registration information:
Easy registration for all locations:
Online: www.unmc.edu/minimed
Email: minimed@unmc.edu
Omaha area – (402) 559-2900
Nebraska – toll-free 1- (877) 852-0013
Broadcasting live via satellite (6:30 to 9 p.m. central time, 5:30 to 8 p.m. mountain time) to:
Atkinson
West Holt Memorial Hospital
406 W. Neely St.
Broken Bow
Melham Medical Center
145 Memorial Drive, Telemedicine Rooms
Chadron
Chadron State College
Student Center, Scottsbulff Room, 1000 Main St.
Columbus
Central Community College – Columbus
North Education Center, Room 904, 4500 63 St.
Grand Island
Central Nebraska AHEC at College Park
Room 305, 3180 W. Hwy 34
Harrison
Sioux County Courthouse
Meeting Room, 325 Main St.
Hastings
Central Community College – Hastings
Platte Bldg/ Hickory Room, #132, East Hwy 6
Holdrege
Central Community College – Holdrege Center
Phelps County Ag Center, 1308 2nd St.
Kearney
Good Samaritan Hospital
10 East 31st Street, Conference Center
Lincoln
College of Dentistry & College of Nursing
Dixon Lecture Hall, 40th & Holdrege St.
Lynch
Niobrara Valley Hospital
Telehealth Room
Norfolk
Northeast Community College – Norfolk
Lifelong Learning Center, Suite E, 801 E. Benjamin Ave.
North Platte
McKinley Education Center
301 W. F St.
Omaha
Clarkson West Medical Center
144th & West Center. Suite 200
Omaha
Durham Research Center
Durham Research Plaza & Emile Street
Free parking in Lot 2, Patient Parking structure
Osmond
Osmond General Hospital
Telehealth Room
Red Cloud
Webster County Historical Museum
Exhibit Hall, 721 W 4 (West Hwy 136)
Rushville
UN-L Extension – Sheridan County
105 Loofborrow
Scottsbluff
UNMC College of Nursing – Pan Handle
University Complex Panhandle Station Rm 201, 4502 Avenue I
Sidney
Western Nebraska Community College
371 College Dr.
Valentine
Cherry County Extension Office
132 S. Hall St.
Wayne
Wayne State College
Connell Room 131, 1111 Main St.
-30-