Leading researchers developing stem cell and extracellular vesicle therapies for sepsis, personalized mRNA vaccines for pediatric brain tumors, and targeted gene-editing technologies for central nervous system disorders will convene at an upcoming international symposium co-hosted by Samsung Medical Center and Sungkyunkwan University.
The Cell and Gene Therapy Institute at Samsung Medical Center and the Gene and Cell Therapy Institute at the Samsung Advanced Institute for Health Sciences & Technology (SAIHST) announced on the 11th that they will jointly host the 13th International Symposium online on the 18th, starting at 9:05 a.m.
The program comprises seven dedicated sessions covering advanced cell and gene therapies for rare and intractable diseases, biological aging and longevity, and next-generation therapeutic platforms.
Global Experts Present Cutting-Edge Research
International speakers will highlight several emerging therapeutic strategies. Claudia C. dos Santos, a professor at the University of Toronto, will present research on utilizing mesenchymal stem cells and extracellular vesicles (EVs)—membrane-bound particles that transport proteins and genetic material between cells—to treat sepsis.
Bradley Thomas Sorenson, CEO of Canada-based Providence Therapeutics, will discuss clinical developments in personalized mRNA cancer vaccines tailored to the specific tumor genetics of pediatric and young-adult patients with high-risk brain tumors.
Olivia Kim-McManus, a professor at the University of California, San Diego, will present findings on antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) for rare pediatric neurological conditions. ASOs are short, synthetic nucleic acids designed to bind target RNA molecules and regulate the expression of disease-causing proteins.
Additionally, Samir El Andaloussi, a professor at Sweden’s Karolinska Institute, will outline strategies using extracellular vesicles to improve gene-editing efficiency in the central nervous system.
Domestic Advancements and Policy Outlook
South Korean researchers will also share updates across multiple disciplines, including diagnostic and therapeutic tools for aging, stem cell reprogramming, adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based gene therapy, and CAR-NK cell therapy.
A dedicated policy session featuring experts and officials from the Ministry of Health and Welfare will examine the current state of South Korea's advanced regenerative medicine regulations and discuss strategic directions for national policy.
“I hope this symposium serves as a vital platform to share groundbreaking achievements in regenerative medicine and cell and gene therapy, while opening new avenues for international research collaboration,” said Jang Yoon-sil, director of the Cell and Gene Therapy Institute at Samsung Medical Center, director of SAIHST, and professor of pediatrics.
Registration is available on the official symposium website through the 17th. Attendance is free of charge.
