Record crowd attends stem cell Mini-med

A record crowd of more than 400 people attended Tuesday’s Mini Medical School on stem cell research. The crowd filled the Durham Research Center Auditorium and some people had to watch the presentation on screens outside the auditorium.

Stem cell research is one of the country’s most controversial and politically-charged medical issues.

So it’s no surprise that a record crowd filled the Durham Research Center Auditorium on Tuesday night for UNMC’s Mini-Medical School on stem cells.

More than 400 people attended the event at the Durham Research Center. Some had to watch the presentation on screens outside the auditorium, which was filled to capacity.

Twenty other sites across Nebraska also carried the presentation. Attendance totals at the satellite sites have yet to be tabulated.

The evening featured an introductory primer by Thomas Rosenquist, Ph.D., vice chancellor for research and professor of genetics, cell biology and anatomy; and a presentation called “Separating Fact from Fiction” by David Crouse, Ph.D., associate vice chancellor for academic affairs and professor of genetics, cell biology and anatomy.

Dr. Rosenquist talked about the basic principles of stem cell research while Dr. Crouse presented more in-depth information and tried to dispel common misconceptions about stem cell research.

Dr. Crouse defined and explained the differences between adult and embryonic stem cells, discussed the potential medical uses and limitations for both sources, and described some of the ethical concerns surrounding stem cell research.

Following the two presentations, Dr. Rosenquist moderated a panel discussion featuring seven UNMC researcher, who answered questions from the audience.

One of those present was Ann Trinkle, a survivor of malignant melanoma, who said she attended the lecture to learn the potential of stem cell research.

(From left) UNMC researchers David Crouse, Ph.D.; Marcel DeVetten, M.D.; Ira Fox, M.D.; Anuja Ghorpade, Ph.D.; Stephen Rennard, Ph.D.; Angie Rizzino, Ph.D.; and J. Graham Sharp, Ph.D., take part in a panel discussion about stem cell research during Tuesday night’s Mini Medical School. Thomas Rosenquist, UNMC Vice Chancellor for Research, moderated the discussion.

“It was so exciting to hear discussion about this topic without having the presenters get overly passionate,” said Trickle, who has attended several Mini-Medical Schools during the 10-year-period UNMC has hosted the events. “The wealth of knowledge presented and the clarity of the presentations was great. I just wanted to sit here and listen. I took in so much.”

Sheryl Pitner, M.D., an assistant professor of pediatrics at UNMC and opponent of embryonic stem cell research, also was in attendance.

“The basic information presented on stem cells was good,” Dr. Pitner said. “But the discussion regarding adult versus embryonic stem cells was biased toward convincing the audience that embryonic stem cell research is the way to proceed. The advances in adult stem cell research were dismissed too quickly.”

For more information about stem cell research and UNMC Mini-Medical Schools, visit http://www.unmc.edu/minimed/stemcell/index.htm. A video of the entire program will be available on the Web site by Dec. 5.