“Stem cell therapy and tissue engineering are the next frontiers in therapeutic and regenerative medicine.

The past few years have borne witness to some exciting developments in bioengineering, 3D printing of scaffolds and organs, and cellular reprogramming technology.

However, harnessing the promise of these exciting developments of research and transforming them into a direct benefit for patients is a significant challenge. The importance of translational research cannot be understated.

Fortunately, we have a wealth of expertise across Australia and within WA in the area of regenerative medicine, much of which will be on display at this year’s Science on the Swan conference.

A highlight of the conference this year will be Australian of the Year for 2017, Alan Mackay-Sim, who will discuss his fascinating work with olfactory stem cells and their regenerative potential to repair other parts of the nervous system.

Researchers from the UWA-based Centre for Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine (CCTRM), a multi-disciplinary research centre which brings together scientists and clinicians to foster research in stem cell therapy and regenerative medicine, will feature strongly at the conference.

Ear Science Institute Australia researcher and CCTRM program leader Rodney Dilley will discuss the work of his group developing regenerative solutions for hearing and balance disorders. Its focus is research into the inner ear with the aim of discovering stem cell therapies to restore functional “hair” cells which are responsible for hearing and balance loss in some genetic conditions.”

Excerpt from ‘Hearing from the new pioneers’ by George Yeoh, West Australian Health and Medicine. To read the full article head over to  http://health.thewest.com.au/news/3649/hearing-from-the-new-pioneers