Bangalore based Stem Cell Research Forum of India (SCRFI), a newly formed society for stem cell research professionals, has become part of the International Consortium of Stem Cell Networks (ICSCN). The ICSCN attempts to facilitate international cooperation and undertake collaborative research programmes towards implementing novel stem cell therapies.

The ICSCN acts in cooperation with the International Stem Cell Forum (ISCF) to create a research fabric that will bring together the world's best stem cell biologists, bioengineers, clinical practitioners and ethical and legal scholars to ensure the most efficient path to the development and execution of stem cell therapeutics.

By enrolling itself as part of ICSCN, SCRFI has also ensured its presence in the international movement.

SCRFI is to bring together those from the field of biological and medical sciences who have a common interest in the field of stem cell research and to promote scientific research in stem cell biology, to improve scientific understanding in this field, and to disseminate and apply this knowledge to the benefit of mankind. SCRFI professes dedication to the advancement of scientific research in the area of stem cell for wide range of diseases for which there is no cure.

By becoming a platform for deliberation on the advances in stem cell research, SCRFI intends to bring together a critical mass of international scientists to build a collaborative model. Interaction and collaboration with other professional societies and organizations that are involved in related areas of biological research, promotion of education and training in stem cell research, create awareness on current results, outcomes and implications of research in stem cells and leverage the potential for alignment of basic science and entrepreneurs are among its objectives.

Meanwhile, ICSCN will evaluate and report on conceptual and technological developments, monitor progress across the spectrum of research and identify potential synergistic opportunities, gaps and deficiencies and redundancies that might be minimized or avoided.

Identification and development of methods to promote international co-operation, focused workshops, international informational exchange, development of international consortia, linkage to international initiatives (e.g. standardization committee for ES cell derivation), distribution of reagents without IP encumbrance, international meetings for national initiatives - focus on how to develop international equivalents of national initiatives, and international collaborative research programmes are priority areas for ICSCN.

As pharmabiz had reported, SCRFI is to organize its first annual meet in February 2007.