By: Kevin Robb, ORT Science Writer
In the early 1960s, Canadian researchers Drs. James Till and Ernest McCulloch published ground-breaking work out of the Ontario Cancer Institute, now known as the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre of the University Health Network. Their findings revealed a population of cells in the bone marrow that can self-renew and differentiate into specialized cell types. These became known as stem cells, and the discovery birthed the now-vibrant field of stem cell research. Over half a century later, the Canadian stem cell community gathers annually at the Till and McCulloch Meetings (TMM), a conference organized by the Stem Cell Network (SCN), where researchers share the latest discoveries in the field.
This year, TMM was held virtually from October 26–28 and featured exciting research highlights from investigators within Canada and from around the globe. The scientific sessions covered a broad range of topics including cellular bioengineering, tissue engineering, tissue repair and clinical applications. Meanwhile, the virtual poster hall featured nearly 200 entries from researchers at institutions across Canada.
In addition to stem cell science, TMM is known for its professional development and networking opportunities. Dr. Sepideh Abbasi, a postdoctoral fellow at the Montreal Clinical Research Institute has attended the conference every year for the past decade. Now an active leader in the SCN community, she feels that SCN fosters a sense of family and that, “TMM provides trainees with a unique opportunity to learn and grow as the next generation of scientists.” One of Dr. Abbasi’s favourite TMM traditions is the ‘Meet the Experts’ event in which trainees engage in group discussions to gain career advice from academic, policy and industry leaders in the stem cell field. Dr. Abbasi is also a member of the SCN Trainee Communications Committee, which organizes pre-conference workshops for trainees; this year, the two half-day sessions focused on developing science communication and leadership skills.
A central theme of the 2020 TMM conference was the ethical, legal and social implications of stem cell and gene therapies. In this area, McGill researcher Dr. Bartha Knoppers gave the 2020 Till & McCulloch Award Lecture on her recent paper published in Science. The talk was followed by a plenary session on the policy and societal implications of gene editing, including topics such as access and affordability, and the legal implications of germline modification. Erika Kleiderman, one of the session’s speakers, stated, “It is crucial to have such discussions embedded within a more scientific conference agenda, as they are timely and pertinent to all stakeholders.” Kleiderman also chaired a workshop at the conference that highlighted individual and systemic responsibilities toward equity, diversity and inclusion within research settings. According to Kleiderman, the goal of the workshop was to “have attendees think, get uncomfortable and challenge the status quo.”
The next TMM will take place in Ottawa in 2021. Prospective attendees are hoping to attend in-person, as they look forward to more networking opportunities and fascinating discussions on stem science and research ethics.