By Li Han, Tsinghua News Center

The Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine was inaugurated at Tsinghua University on March 18. Mr. Zhang Xian'en from the Ministry of Science and Technology, Tsinghua Vice President Kang Kejun, and Professor Shi Yigong, Chair of Tsinghua's School of Life Sciences and Deputy Vice Chair of Tsinghua's School of Medicine, attended the opening ceremony. The Frontiers of Stem Cell Research Symposium was also held on that day.

Ten renowned stem cell experts, including Professor Lin Haifan, the Director of the Yale Stem Cell Center at Yale University, Professor Renee A. Reijo Pera, Director of the Stanford University Center for Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research and Education, and Professor Zhou Qi, Vice Director of the State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Science, delivered speeches at the symposium.

The Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine is a new institute in Tsinghua's School of Medicine. Its aims are to build knowledge and promote collaboration by bringing together the best scientists from multiple disciplines, and to interact and share expertise in shedding light on major problems in biology and regenerative medicine.

Stem cells have gained much attention in recent years for their ability to replenish themselves and differentiate into function cells that can be used to repair diseased or damaged tissues.

(Photo by Guo Haijun)