Opening talk with Dr. Jeanne Loring

With decades of experience working in pluripotent stem cell research, Jeanne Loring is the founding Director of the Center for Regenerative Medicine and emeritus professor at the Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, California. She has a wealth of experience working with both model and non-model species and is a passionate advocate for the use of stem cells within conservation. As the Opening Speaker for the Workshop, Jeanne will present her perspectives on the importance of fostering collaboration within the field.

Keynote Speaker: Katsuhiko Hayashi

Internationally recognised as the driving force behind recent advances in in vitro gametogenesis, Katsuhiko Hayashi of Osaka University has made major strides in this area using rodent models, as well as contributing to work on the Northern White Rhino. As one of our Keynote Speakers, Professor Hayashi will share his expertise and discuss key factors in the use of pluripotent stem cells as a source of gametes.

SESSION 1: Reprogramming: Progress and Pitfalls

Our first Discussion Session is dedicated to a thorough and honest exploration of reprogramming. These sessions feature a panel of experts who will engage each other in a compelling discussion, and later the audience, within a key focus area for the workshop

Panelists include:

• Thomas Zwaka, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
• Deanne Whitworth, University of Queensland
• Manabu Onuma, National Institute for Environmental Studies
• Jun Wu, University of Texas Southwestern

SESSION 2: Exploring Methods for In Vitro Gametogenesis

After a break, we immediately continue with our second discussion session. Here we will hear from and engage with a diverse array of experts with insight into the in vitro derivation of germ cells and their precursors across species. 

Panelists include:

• Ruth Appletant, University of Antwerp
• Qilong Ying, University of Southern California
• Katsuhiko Hayashi, Osaka University
• Marisa Korody, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance

PRESENTATION: Advances and Innovations

After lunch, we continue with an exciting line-up of talks designed to stimulate inspiration. From AI to coral, and blastoids to advanced differentiation, these innovative presentations will identify new directions for stem cell technology in conservation.

Moderator: Ashlee Hutchinson

Plenary Speakers include: 

• Stuart Chambers, Brightfield Therapeutics
• Alex Ng, GC Therapeutics
• Nikki Traylor-Knowles, University of Miami
• Jun Wu, University of Texas Southwestern

SESSION 3: Disease Modeling for Species Recovery

Our final discussion session for the day, hosts a unique panel comprising both academics and industry personnel with perspectives in disease modeling for conservation.

Panelists include:

• Benyamin Rosental, Ben Gurion University
• Tom Burdon, The Roslin Institute
• Gareth Sullivan, Occam BioSciences
• Andrea Bodnar, Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute

Keynote Speaker: Martin Pera

Professor Martin Pera of the Jackson Laboratory, and Program Leader of Stem Cells Australia, has had a crucial role in the narrative of stem cell science over the years. A pioneer in the field, Martin’s lab was one of the first to isolate embryonic stem cells from the human blastocyst. He will be discussing how understanding pluripotency in relation to embryo development might help us to apply stem cell technology to important challenges in conservation.

Lightning Talks

A dynamic and fast-paced session with ‘out-of-the-box’ perspectives and applications in stem cell technology. These 5 minute talks will invigorate and inspire our teams with fresh ideas.

Moderator: Bridget Baumgartner
Lightning Talks delivered by: 

• Francisco Pelegri, University of Wisconsin-Madison Proof-of-principle for pooled biopreservation using gray wolf (Canis lupus) samples: a village-in-a-capillary approach
• Sara Ord, Colossal Biosciences Improved reprogramming efficiency using species specific factors
• Antonia Weberling, University of Oxford The Diversity of Squamate Pre-Oviposition Embryogenesis
• Woranop Sukparangsi, Burapha University Challenges to generate non-integrative felid iPSCs
• Uma Lakshmipathy, Thermo Fisher Scientific Creating solutions and services for somatic reprogramming
• Andrew French, Cartherics Wider technological crossroads for Animal Cloning and Stem Cells and their opportunities for conservation 
• Nicole Tay, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology Endangered Species Conservation via Assisted Reproduction
• Timo Kohler, University of Cambridge Cells in gels – promoting pluripotency in 3D microgels

SESSION 4: Biobanking stem cells: obstacles and best practices

Our last discussion session for the workshop will focus on the challenges and opportunities inherent in our goal of biobanking stem cells, integrating all previous discussions.

Panelists include:

• Oliver Ryder, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance
• Pierre Comizzoli, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute
• Suzannah Williams, Nature’s Safe
• Linda Penfold, South-East Zoo Alliance For Reproduction and Conservation