Stem cell researchers collaborate across continents

In order to advance its mission of promoting stem cell research across the scientific community, five junior Harvard stem cell researchers last week (March 9-11) hosted five of their University of Cambridge (UK) counterparts for three days of research presentations and discussions about possible collaborations.

The goal of the meeting, explained Faculty of Arts and Sciences Assistant Professor Kevin Eggan, "was to devise ways to address the strengths and weaknesses in both our programs - and we made a lot of progress toward that end."

This initial meeting of the two teams was funded by the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and the scientists have prepared a paper addressing some of the "big picture issues in stem cell research" for presentation to Stefan Winkler, the British vice consul for science and technology, here in Cambridge, Mass.