Novel insights in basic and applied stem cell therapy.

The achievement of novel findings in stem cell research were the subject of the meeting organized by Stem Cell Research Italy (SCR Italy) and by the International Society for Cellular Therapy-Europe (ISCT). Stem cell therapy represents great promise for the future of molecular and regenerative medicine. The use of several types of stem cells is a real opportunity to provide a valid approach to curing several untreatable human diseases. Before it is suitable for clinical applications, stem cell biology needs to be investigated further and in greater detail. Basic stem cell research could provide exact knowledge regarding stem cell action mechanisms, and pre-clinical research on stem cells on an in vivo model of disease provides scientific evidence for future human applications. Applied stem cell research is a promising new approach to handling several diseases. Along with tissue engineering, it offers a new and promising discipline that can help to manage human pathologies through stem cell therapy. All of these themes were discussed in this meeting, covering stem cell subtypes with their newest basic and applied research.