5th International Conference on Tissue Repair, Regeneration, and Fibrosis

Our understanding of the mechanisms controlling tissue repair and organ regeneration following injury has increased greatly over the past decade. Nevertheless, there has been little progress translating basic science discoveries into clinical practice. As our understanding of the unique roles of fibroblasts, macrophages, and stem and tissue progenitor cell populations are rapidly being elucidated, we expect new modalities to regulate tissue repair, regeneration, and fibrosis will soon be evaluated in clinical trials. Recent advances include differentiation of pluripotent stem cells (embryonic and induced) into hepatic, intestinal, cardiac, and pancreatic cells that may be used to replace defective cells and mend injured tissues. We also have an emerging understanding of the role of the immune system and how persistent recruitment and activation of specific cell types can promote chronic wounds, guide organ regeneration, or contribute to the development of pathological fibrosis. The goal of this meeting is to bring together academic researchers, clinicians, and members of the pharmaceutical industry to discuss the most recent advances in the fields of tissue repair, organ regeneration and fibrosis and to identify key roadblocks that are slowing progress in each of these important areas. By bringing together a diverse group of researchers interested in all aspects of tissue repair, regeneration, and fibrosis, the meeting will provide a more integrated perspective from basic disease mechanisms through to the more pragmatic challenges of clinical trial design.