Bhatia clarifies the hype, science and potential of human stem cells

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BY Danelle D'Alvise

January 27, 2009

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/BhatiaMick08.jpg” caption=”Mick Bhatia, a professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences and scientific director of the McMaster Stem Cell and Cancer Research Institute, will deliver today’s Science in the City lecture. File photo. “]For the last ten years, human stem cells have been at the centre of intense public and scientific scrutiny, with an accompanying overload of information and misinformation.

It seems like we're hearing about the latest breakthrough in human stem cell research on a weekly basis and McMaster University appears frequently in those headlines. Now you have a chance to hear about the human stem cell research that's happening on our campus, from one of Canada's leaders in the field, Professor Mick Bhatia.

Bhatia, a professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences and scientific director of the McMaster Stem Cell and Cancer Research Institute (SCCRI) in the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine, was recruited to McMaster in 2006 to lead the SCCRI – the first institute of its kind in North America. He will be giving a free public lecture on Tuesday, January 27 at The Hamilton Spectator Auditorium as part of the Science in the City public lecture series and the Health Research Community Forums.

Bhatia's lecture, The Hype, Science and Potential of Human Stem Cells will provide the audience with a lesson in “Stem Cell 101,” a primer of sorts that will educate, enlighten and entertain – but most important, will explore the science and the very real potential of human stem cell research.

Since arriving at McMaster, Bhatia – an internationally recognized stem cell scientist – has been awarded a Canada Research Chair in Human Stem Cell Biology and has made several important advancements in human stem cell research. What Bhatia hopes to do for this lecture is to provide the audience with a basic understanding of what a human stem cell is, what it isn't, and the potential it holds for diagnostics, treatments and cures for cancer and other devastating diseases.

On January 27, come join Bhatia at the Hamilton Spectator Auditorium at 7 p.m. for an “up close” view of the science that's happening in our city and a lecture that will help you separate the hype from the hope, the science from the speculation.

This lecture is free and all are welcome. To reserve your seat please email sciencecity@mcmaster.ca
or by voice mail 905-525-9140, ext. 24934. The Hamilton Spectator is located at 44 Frid Street in Hamilton. Doors open at 6:30 pm and the lecture begins at 7 p.m.