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UF scientists sponsor unique translational health conference

Participants in a novel translational health conference gathered for a photo at their meeting spot in Lake Nona.

A group of scientists studying heart disease in human and animal species, along with broader perspectives on human and animal health, came together at a first-ever translational health conference held in Orlando March 13-14.

The University of Florida Regenerative Medicine Conference, dubbed “Regenerative Medicine Meets Comparative Medicine for Cardiomyopathy and Beyond,” was co-organized by Dr. Amara Estrada, a professor of cardiology and associate chair for instruction at the UF College of Veterinary Medicine; Dr. Carl Pepine, a professor emeritus of medicine in the division of cardiovascular medicine at UF’s College of Medicine and Dr. Keith March, director of UF’s Center for Regenerative Medicine, a professor of medicine and vice-chief of cardiology research at UF’s College of Medicine.

Attendees discussed research collaborations and ways that spontaneous cardiomyopathies in dogs and cats can help advance understanding of similar human diseases. The conference also explored the use of regenerative medicine, or stem cells, to treat cardiomyopathies and related diseases in these species, and included representatives from the Food and Drug Administration to discuss how to integrate veterinary and human clinical trials using stem cell therapies.

“Cardiologists on the human side were very surprised to hear about what is happening on the veterinary side,” March said.

A white paper of the meeting’s discussions is being planned.