SCN – Animal Models for Regenerative Medicine

The Stem Cell Network is pleased to offer the Animal Models for Regenerative Medicine workshop, designed to inform regenerative medicine researchers who are performing pre-clinical testing of cell or gene therapy products about best practices for rigor and reproducibility in animal experimentation, as well as the benefits and considerations associated with specific animal models of disease. The workshop will also provide guidance for the planning and preparation of preclinical study data for inclusion in cell & gene therapy regulatory submissions.

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Workshop location: ONLINE via Zoom. A link to the online sessions will be provided to successful applicants.

Application deadline: Thursday, February 10, 2022.

Learning objectives

The workshop covers the essential concepts required to carry out experiments using animal models, including:

• Appreciate the diversity of animal models, including large and small animals, available for regenerative medicine studies and their benefits and limitations when addressing research questions.
• Understand the best practices for designing, performing, and reporting research with animal models.
• Understand the considerations, including regulatory requirements, that are necessary for utilizing animal model testing during clinical or commercial translation.

To maximize the transfer of learning to practice, participants will have the opportunity to present their own case study to a panel of experts for discussion and advice.

Expert speakers contributing to this workshop include:

• Manoj Lalu, MD, PhD, Associate Scientist, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute
• May Griffith, PhD, Professor, University of Montreal
• Jeff Biernaskie, PhD, Assistant Professor, University of Calgary
• Gilbert Bernier, PhD, Associate Professor, University of Montreal
• Michael Laflamme, MD, PhD, Principal Investigator, McEwen Stem Cell Institute
• Thomas Koch, DVM, PhD, Associate Professor, Ontario Veterinary College
• Wolfram Tetzlaff, MD, PhD, Professor, University of British Columbia
• Patrick Bedford, MSc, Managing Director, weCANreg Consulting Group Inc.

Workshop format and dates

This virtual workshop comprises three 2-hour online sessions to be held in March-April 2022. The workshop content will be delivered by subject matter experts and will use presentations, supplemented with case studies and experiential anecdotes, and interactive discussion panel sessions to achieve the learning objectives. The interactive sessions will enable participants to obtain advice and feedback on implementing the workshop subject matter in their laboratories and project scenarios.

Participant criteria

The workshop is designed for researchers in the regenerative medicine field who are seeking to move discoveries with therapeutic potential through pre-clinical testing stages in preparation for subsequent clinical or commercial translation. Applications from teams comprising a PI and up to two trainees‡ in their lab will be prioritized during the selection process. All team members must commit to attending the entire workshop.

‡A research trainee is a graduate student, post-doctoral fellow, research associate and/or technician currently working in the field of stem cells and regenerative medicine in a Canadian lab.

Application procedure

Due to the interactive nature of this training event, spaces on this online workshop are limited; each team interested in participating must submit a completed application form to attend the Animal Models for Regenerative Medicine workshop by Thursday, February 10, 2022.

1. Complete the application form and return it, along with any additional documents required, by email to earnold@stemcellnetwork.ca by 11:59 PM (sender’s time) Thursday, February 10, 2022.
   A confirmation email will be sent within 24 hours of SCN receiving the submitted application package. If a confirmation email is NOT received from SCN within 24 hours of submission it is the responsibility of the applicant to contact SCN and ensure that the application package has been received by SCN.
2. The SCN Training & Education Committee will review all complete applications, and applicants will be informed of the competition outcome by February 18, 2021 . Notification of acceptance for successful applicants will include guidance for joining the online sessions.
   Complete the application form and return it, along with any additional documents required, by email to earnold@stemcellnetwork.ca.

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