SMR 2005

Welcome

Tissue regeneration represents an emerging approach to the development of new medicines. It has even been described as the major therapeutic approach of the 21st century. Realisation of this promise depends on overcoming a number of significant challenges. Manipulation of regenerating stem cells, both in vitro and in vivo, is central to the success in this area. In this meeting, we have assembled visionaries with the confidence and determination to overcome these and other challenges. Their persistence is increasingly paying dividends as the commercial potential of strategies for tissue regeneration are recognised by the biopharmaceutical industry, investors and government funding agencies worldwide.

We are currently at the cusp of some exciting new therapies which will have the potential to replace many of the current mainstream pharmaceutical treatments. This meeting draws upon the experiences of scientists in several areas where regeneration is the ideal solution to problems that are not amenable to conventional therapeutic approaches, eg repair of damage to the skin. The use of stem cells to repair injured tissue is a burgeoning area and this approach represents a major focus of the meeting, particularly in relation to repairing damage to the central nervous system . The importance of this endeavour is underlined by the substantial increase in the years ahead in the number of individuals in the world suffering from neurodegenerative disorders.

Whilst some approaches to tissue regeneration use exogenous stem cells others utilise those already in place and capitalise upon their presence. However neither of these approaches on their own may be sufficient to restore normal function. The tissue architecture may be destroyed or absent and some guidance is required for the growing cells if a normal tissue is to result. A good example of this approach is the use of scaffold matrices to encourage three-dimensional growth. We now recognise tissue matrices are not passive partners and innovative technologies are beginning to emerge in which biological activity can be incorporated into therapeutic devices to improve the final outcome.

Regenerative medicine is built on foundations laid by the revolution in molecular sciences. In a very short space of time the field has advanced from academic star gazing to tangible new medicines for a number of disorders. As information in integrative biology is accumulated new stars will appear on the horizon. However we must recognise that important progress has been made. The remarkable regeneration of a mandible destroyed by cancer and rebuilt by implantation of a titanium matrix impregnated by OSP-1 is an exciting testament to the contribution to medicine this field will make in the next decade. The SMR is fortunate to be able to gather together many of the most promising aspects of this emerging and fast developing new approach to therapy.

Prof Ian Morris, Hull York Medical School, and Dr Alan Palmer, Pharmidex, London