Stem Cells and the Future of Medicine

Stem cell research holds an awesome potential for restructuring the way we practice medicine: One day, stem cells may be used to replace or repair damaged tissues and organs and to dramatically alter how we treat such diseases as cancer. But there remains a deep divide between those who support stem cell research and those opposing it. Presidential executive orders have established - and now rescinded - the limits on stem cell research in the US. Even as the controversy continues, groundbreaking discoveries made here and around the world hint at unprecedented opportunities afforded by stem cell research.

In this talk, Jill Helms will provide a brief overview or "tour" of the field, highlighting the recent advances that have taken place at Stanford and elsewhere.

JILL HELMS, Associate Professor, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, School of Medicine

Jill Helms' time is divided between her laboratory work in the fields of regenerative medicine and craniofacial biology, and her teaching. She has appeared in a number of TV programs on the Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, and the BBC that are designed to make scientific topics both fun and interesting to students of all ages. Prior to joining Stanford, Helms was director of the Molecular and Cellular Biology Laboratory in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at UCSF.