Stunning photographic exhibition a window on medical research
Photo gallery of some of the images from Stem Cell Stories
As part of a series of Science Week activities, Western Sydney University will host the first Sydney showing of the Stem Cell Stories photography exhibition.
From 10-20 August, Stem Cell Stories will be on display within the foyer of the University's Science building at the Parramatta South campus.
Dr Michael O'Connor from the School of Medicine says the exhibition was curated to stimulate public discussion on the potential for stem cell treatments to repair damaged and diseased cells in the body.
"Regenerative medicine has the potential to make a significant difference in the lives of people with a wide range of conditions," says Dr O'Connor.
"This exhibition provides an opportunity for the community to engage in the discussion around stem cell research in a deeper and more meaningful way."
The exhibition is a compilation of spectacular scientific images of muscle fibres, neurons, stem cells, skins cells and even a regenerated eye lens. It also includes moving portraits of people with diseases that may become treatable as a result of stem cell research.
The 24 large-format prints were commissioned by the Australasian Society for Stem Cell Research (ASSCR). So far, over 1 million people have seen all or parts of the exhibition in its previous showings at Questacon in Canberra, RiAus in Adelaide and Scitech in Perth.
Dr O'Connor was Vice-President of the ASSC when the exhibition was first curated in 2013, and says it was exciting that communities of Western Sydney now have the opportunity to see, and learn about the science behind the photos.
"It is essential for people to have accurate and easy to read information on stem cell research, to help them understand the scientific research underway and inform their choices on stem cell therapies already available," says Dr O'Connor.
"Complementing the images within the exhibition are specially produced information panels, brochures and web pages – which provide easy to read information on stem cell research."
Stem Cell Stories was established in partnership with Questacon (Canberra) with funding from the ASSCR, Stem Cells Australia and the National Stem Cell Foundation of Australia. The exhibition will also be on display at Mt Annan Botanic Gardens on Sunday 13 August and Saturday 19 August, as part of 'Science in the Wild'.
Ends
24 July 2017
Background
What is a Stem Cell?
- Stem cells are immature cells that can divide and make copies of themselves ('self-renewal').
- Stem cells can produce the mature cell types needed by the body 'differentiation').
- Tissue-specific ('adult') stem cells in your body can only make related cell types (e.g. blood stem cells make blood cells).
- Pluripotent ('reprogrammed' or 'embryonic') stem cells grown
- in the laboratory can make all cell types in the body.
What are Stem Cell Treatments?
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