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Conference

Frontiers in Stem Cell Innovation

The Frontiers in Stem Cell Innovation Conference will be bringing together leading academic and industry expertise in stem cell research to explore the breakthrough technologies and translational developments that are transforming drug discovery and therapeutic development. The Conference will showcase cutting-edge advances in stem cell production, differentiation, and disease modelling applications across multiple therapeutic areas.

5 – 6 February 2026 + Add to calendar Cambridge Day 1: Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1RQ Day 2: Babraham Research Campus, Babraha

Conference summary

Day 1, Thursday 5 February

Time: 16.30 - 18.30

Venue: Hinxton Hall Conference Centre, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge, CB10 1RQ Map

The opening session will kick off immediately after the  WORD+ 2026 (World Organoid and Organ-on-a-chip Research Day) event with a keynote lecture and panel discussion that will be considering biotechnological application of organoid and advanced stem cell technologies.

Keynote speaker: Majlinda Lako Professor of Stem Cell Science, Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University

Panel session, including contributions from:

  • Erica Bello, Head of Target Discovery Group at the Milner Therapeutics Institute
  • Rick Livesey CEO of Talisman Therapeutics & Gen2 Neuroscience. Honorary Professor, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, Adjunct Professor, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin
  • Adriana Buskin, Research Fellow, Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University Centre for Cancer, Newcastle University.

The afternoon will finish with a networking drinks reception.

Day 2, Friday 6 February

Time: 9.00 - 15.00

Venue: The Cambridge Building, Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge, CB22 3AT Map

The conference's second day will emphasize practical applications of stem cell technologies in neuroscience and oncology research. The programme features presentations from key industry stakeholders and will close with a second interactive panel discussion.

Speakers:

  • Fiona Ducotterd, Professor of Neuroscience. Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, University College London. Chief Scientific Officer of the Alzheimer's Research UK UCL Drug Discovery Institute (UDDI)
  • Fiona Menzies, Associate Vice President at Eli Lilly and Company
  • Davide Danovi, Co-founder of Migration Biotherapeutics Ltd, Visiting Senior Lecturer at King's College London and the University of Cambridge
  • Marzena Kurzawa-Akanbi, Lecturer in Regenerative Medicine, Newcastle University
  • Bilada Bilican, Senior Director of Applied Stem Cell Sciences, Centre for Genomics Research, AstraZeneca#
  • Peter Rugg-Gunn, Group Leader, Epigenetics Programme, The Babraham Institute
  • Maria A Christophorou, Tenure-track Group Leader, Epigenetics Programme, The Babraham Institute
  • Matteo Martufi, Associate Director and Group leader of the GSK UK Stem Cell group, Target Discovery, GSK
  • Stefan Schoenfelder, Senior Staff Scientist, Epigenetics Programme, The Babraham Institute
  • Mark Kotter, Founder of bit.bio, Meatable, clock.bio, Research Professor, University of Cambridge, Team Lead in Neuroprotection & Neurodegeneration, NIHR Brain Injury MedTech Co-operative.
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