Starting this summer, JSSCR (Japanese Society for Stem CellResearch) and KSSCR (Korean Society for Stem Cell Research) collaborate intensively to boost stem cell research in Asia. OnMay 17th and 18th, with theofficial invitation from JSSCR, Drs. Haeyoung Suh-Kim (current Presidentof KSSCR), Il-Hoan Oh (next President of KSSCR), and Dr. Yong-Mahn Han (chiefcoordinator of Korean stem cell network) visited Japan to share their progressin stem cell research in the symposium held by JSSCR.

After the meeting, the delegates of bothorganizations agreed to coordinate actively by sharing scientific findings throughjoint meetings. Using the momentum of KSSCR’ssuccessful contribution to JSSCR’s meeting this May, this incipientpartnership between JSSCR and KSSCR will take the initiative to expand to an international assembly of stem cellresearchers in Asia, which can be on a par with other renowned stem cellresearch meetings in the United States and Europe.

The immediate effect of this initiative is an invitation of two stemcell researchers from JSSCR to the two-day annual meeting of KSSCR. This year,the 9th annual meeting will be held on August 29th and 30that The-K Seoul Hotel in Seoul.