July 15, 2008 (Day 1)

08:30h – 09:15h: Breakfast / Registration

09:15h – 09:30h: Inauguration and welcome note

09:30h – 10:00h

The Department of Biotechnology’s role for translational research in India

Dr. Alka Sharma, Joint Director, Department of Biotechnology, Government of India.

10:00h – 10:45h:

Diabetes in India

Dr. CS Yajnik, Diabetes Unit and The Wellcome Trust Research Center, KEM Hospital, Pune, India

10:45h: Tea break

Session 1: Stem Cells

Chair: Dr. David Tosh

11:15 – 12:00h

Directed differentiation of human embryonic stem cells into insulin producing islet-like cell aggregates

Prof. Bernie Tuch, Sydney, Australia

12:00 – 12:45h

Assessment of insulin promoter conformation in human pancreatic progenitor cells to understand their differentiation potential

Mugdha V. Joglekar, NCCS, Pune, India

12:45 – 13:00h: Questions and discussion

13:00h to 1430h: Lunch

Session 2: Tissue specific stem cells

Chair: Dr. Dave Harlan

14:30 – 15:15h

A unique microRNA seed sequence regulates epithelial to mesenchymal transition in pancreatic progenitor cells

Dr. Anand Hardikar, NCCS, Pune, India

15:15 – 16:00

Conversion of liver cells to pancreatic beta-cells

Dr. David Tosh, University of Bath, Bath, UK

16:00 – 16:45

Mesenchymal cells isolated from human bone marrow and Whartons jelly

Dr. Ramesh Bhonde, NCCS, Pune, India

16:45 – 17:15h: Tea break and Discussion

17:15h: Group photo

18:00h: Tour to National Centre for Cell Science

19:00h onwards: Cocktail reception and dinner

July 16, 2008 (Day 2)

08:30h-09:00h: Breakfast

Session 3: Islet cell transplantation

Chair: Prof. Bernie Tuch

09:00h – 09:45h:

Whole pancreas transplantation in treatment of diabetes

Dr. Ramcharan Thiagarajan, IRM, Bangalore, India

09:45h – 10:30h

Pancreatic islet transplantation in Australia

Prof. Bernie Tuch, Sydney, Australia

10:30h – 11:15h:

NIDDK Intramural Efforts to Develop Cell-Replacement Therapy for Diabetes

David M. Harlan, MD, Chief, Diabetes Branch, NIDDK/NIH, Bethesda, USA

11:15h – 11:30h: Tea break and Discussion

Session 4: Ethical issues in cell transplantation

11:30h – 12:15h:

Ethical and policy issues in adult stem cell transplantation

Prof. Shiv Sarin, GBP Hospital, New Delhi, India

12:15h-13:00h: Funding options, identification of partners for cell replacement therapy in India and group discussions / recommendations for facilitating human islet transplantation studies in India

13:00h – 14:30h: Lunch

14:30h: Departure of guests

For further information, please contact: Dr. Ramesh Bhonde or Dr. Anand Hardikar, Conveners, Diabetes Interest Group Meeting, NCCS, Pune.