Cell Therapy Catapult: Newcastle Hosts Major Interactive Science Exhibit Exploring the Wonder of Stem Cells
March 06 2015 - 2:00AM
Business Wire
International Centre for Life only UK location
on world tour
Newcastle’s Centre for Life will host a unique and inspiring
“hands-on” showcase for all demonstrating the power of stem cells,
our body’s master cells.
The exhibit uses interactive displays to help explain everything
from where disease comes from, to how a lizard grows a new
tail.
The Cell Therapy Catapult commissioned the exhibit, along with
its partners*, as part of a global public education programme which
will have the exhibit displayed in key locations around the world
to demonstrate the continuing revolution in biotechnology.
Keith Thompson, CEO of the Cell Therapy Catapult, said: “We’re
proud not only to help fund the building of this fantastic exhibit,
but also help bring it to the UK where families can learn how cells
have the potential to provide new treatments to help cure diseases
and conditions as diverse as blindness, diabetes and cancer. We’re
delighted that the Centre for Life in Newcastle is hosting this
exhibit to help people understand how this important area of
science will help the health and wealth of the country for
generations to come.”
“Super Cells: The power of stem cells” was conceived and built
by Canada’s Stem Cell Network and the Sherbrooke Museum of Nature
and Science. The planning and production with its partners* spanned
nearly two years, and included consideration of what children are
taught in school as well as their natural curiosity.
Dr. Michael Rudnicki, scientific director of the Stem Cell
Network, said: “As scientists, we see the incredible beauty and
transformative power of stem cells every day in the lab. Stem cells
are remarkable, not just for their possible use in reversing
disease, but because they are so important to how our body grows
and functions on a daily basis. We wanted to share this with the
broader public, which is why the Stem Cell Network initiated the
Super Cells exhibit, and we are thrilled that the Cell Therapy
Catapult and the Centre for Life have lent their support to bring
it to the United Kingdom.”
Linda Conlon, Chief Executive of the International Centre for
Life, said: “This is a very fitting exhibition for Life as stem
cell research takes place right here on site. The exhibition
captures the excitement surrounding the potential of stem cells and
explains what they are through accessible and entertaining
activities. We’re sure it will be a big hit with visitors who are
very proud of the Centre for Life and the ground-breaking work that
happens here.”
Animations, touch-screen displays, videos and stunning images
are part of the colourful exhibit. Each of the four sections has a
specific area of focus, whether introducing the concept of a cell,
to explaining how stem cells form the body from fertilisation to
birth and beyond, to showing where stem cells live in the body’s
tissues and organs. One of the largest sections is a small replica
of a lab, where visitors can see how stem cell research is done,
what challenges exist, and can try their luck with a game that asks
them to grow and implant new cells into an eye, in hopes of giving
sight to a person who has gone blind.
The exhibit runs until 19 April 2015.
*Exhibition presented by the Stem Cell Network and produced by
the Sherbrooke Museum of Nature and Science (Quebec, Canada); in
partnership with the California Institute for Regenerative
Medicine, the Cell Therapy Catapult and the Centre for
Commercialization of Regenerative Medicine; with the contribution
of EuroStemCell.
--ENDS--
Notes to Editors
About the Cell Therapy
Catapult
The Cell Therapy Catapult is a centre of translational
excellence for cell therapy and regenerative medicine. Its vision
is for the UK to be a global leader in the development, delivery
and commercialisation of cell therapy, making it a location for
business start-up and growth. Based in London at Guy's Hospital,
the centre takes products into early clinical trials, providing
clinical, technical, manufacturing, regulatory, health economics
and market access expertise. There is a focus on collaboration
and lowering barriers to investment and funding, and operations
have grown rapidly since inception. UK Trade & Investment has
valued the global regenerative medicine industry at just over £500
million, and estimates that it will be generating revenues of over
£5 billion by 2021. For more information go to
ct.catapult.org.uk
About Catapults
Catapult centres are being established and overseen by Innovate
UK as a new addition to its range of programmes to stimulate
innovation. They are places where the best of the UK’s innovative
businesses and researchers work together to bring new products and
services more quickly to commercialisation. Focusing on areas with
great market potential, Catapults will open up global opportunities
for the UK and generate economic growth for the future. For more
information, please visit www.catapult.org.uk
About Innovate UK
Innovate UK is the new name for the Technology Strategy Board –
the UK’s innovation agency. Taking a new idea to market is a
challenge. Innovate UK funds, supports and connects innovative
businesses through a unique mix of people and programmes to
accelerate sustainable economic growth. For further information
visit www.innovateuk.org
Cell Therapy CatapultDavid Robertson, Head of
Communications+44 (0) 203 728
9675david.robertson@ct.catapult.org.ukcomms@ct.catapult.org.uk@CTCatapult