The North American Veterinary Regenerative Medicine Association (NAVRMA) announced Feb. 7 that online registration is open for the 2nd annual North American Veterinary Regenerative Medicine Conference (NAVRMC) to be held June 2-4, 2011, in Lexington, Ky. Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital will act as the conference organizing host in collaboration with the University of California, Davis (UC Davis) Center for Equine Health in Davis, Calif., and Alamo Pintado Equine Medical Center in Los Olivos, Calif.

The NAVRMC is the feature educational forum of NAVRMA, a new organization that promotes the acquisition and distribution of knowledge regarding the emerging fields of regenerative medicine and stem cell therapy. Although in its infancy, regenerative medicine is the subject of widespread interest among physicians, veterinarians, research scientists, educators, and public policy advocates.

"Scientists, medical doctors, and veterinarians see in regenerative medicine and stem cell therapy the 'promise of cure,'" said Gregory Ferraro, DVM, president of NAVRMA and director of the UC Davis Center for Equine Health. "NAVRMA now offers veterinarians, scientists, and people working in the medical business one organization where they can meet to exchange scientific information and understand both the promises and limitations in this emerging and important field."

The NAVRMC is a three-day meeting consisting of scientific presentations and discussion sessions on all aspects of stem cell therapy and regenerative medicine in horses and small animals. The conference will bring together researchers from both human and veterinary medicine as well as equine and small animal practitioners to discuss and apply this promising area of veterinary medicine. Topics will be a blend of research and practical application discussions