SCMND 2027: Stem Cell Models of Neurodegeneration

The UK Dementia Research Institute hosts the second SCMND symposium, bringing together the international community using stem cell models to understand and treat neurodegenerative disease.

SCMND was created to fill a gap. Researchers working with iPSC and stem cell-derived models of neurodegeneration had no dedicated forum in which to compare approaches, troubleshoot methods or find collaborators. This is the second meeting, delivered as part of the Cure-ND network, and it runs over three days in Edinburgh.

The programme includes three keynote speakers, 32 session speakers, three early career researcher talks, 10 flash talks and four poster sessions, with poster prizes awarded on the final day. Confirmed plenary speakers are Valentina Fossati (JAX-NYSCF), Steven Finkbeiner (Gladstone Institute) and Su-Chun Zhang (Sanford Burnham Prebys).

Worth a look if you work with iPSC-derived neurons, organoids or any stem cell-based model of neurodegeneration. Speakers and poster presenters are selected from submitted abstracts, so the ECR talks, flash talks and poster prizes are genuinely open rather than invitation-only.

Abstract submission is open until 31 December 2026. Abstracts will be selected for posters, three oral presentations and 10 flash talks, and everyone who submits will hear whether they have a poster or a talk by 28 February 2027 at the latest. Posters can be up to A0 and must be in portrait orientation. Full details are on the SCMND poster information page.

Registration closes 5 May 2027. UK DRI members attend free. Registration is £300 for all other academic researchers, £450 for non-academic attendees without a poster, and £550 for non-academic attendees presenting a poster. An optional conference dinner on 19 May is a further £48.

Register via the University of Edinburgh, or find out more on the SCMND website.