Message from the Dean, Professor Steve Wesselingh

Historically, medical research has made its greatest advances with rare, but profound, quantum leaps in technology. In just over a decade, not only research scientists but also an ever-increasing number of patients and their carers have become enthralled by the potential of stem cells to treat a wide range of the most challenging medical conditions.

With this new age of scientific and clinical imagination and heightened expectation of potential cures, however, comes a wave of safety and ethical concerns. The discovery of new treatments can only be based on research excellence and evidence based medicine, and cannot evolve without strict adherence to safety and ethical considerations.

While breakthroughs are happening in the laboratories, some already leading to new treatments in the clinic, there is still great confusion as to what is myth and what is the reality of stem cell research.

Stem Cell Awareness Day has evolved from the need to improve the education of the general public, patients and budding stem cell scientists alike. Monash University prides itself for both instigating this event and being a major contributor to revealing the exciting potential of stem cells through high quality research.

I encourage you to use the Stem Cell Awareness Day web site to explore the world of stem cells, and have your questions answered by distinguished stem cell scientists from Monash University and other Victorian research institutions.

Dean
Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences