On Oct. 30, researchers from around the nation visited the university to present their work with stem cells - cells with the potential o differentiate into multiple types of tissue. Given the potential of these cells, the presented research covered a wide range of medicine, including treatment of hair and hearing loss, skin conditions, and tissue regeneration.  The conference was organized to expose the Cornell community to work elsewhere.

Three days after Gov. David Paterson proclaimed Sept. 23, 2009 as Stem Cell Awareness Day in New York State, researchers, students and enthusiasts from within and beyond Cornell convened for the second annual stem cell symposium in Alice Statler Auditorium on Saturday. The event was organized by the Cornell University Stem Cell Program, a group made up of and overseen by life scientists working in this specific field. This year's symposium featured wide-ranging personnel from New Haven to Los Angeles.

Eight years after the Bush administration’s ban on federal funding for new stem cell research, stem cell laboratories may finally be getting the lifeline they have been waiting for.

Throughout his campaign, President Barack Obama promised to change this federal stem cell policy. On February 5, Obama issued a guarantee to reporters that he would “sign an executive order for stem cells” to restore federal funding. A week and a half later, on February 15, Obama advisor David Axelrod confirmed this promise on Fox News.

Stem cells have the unique ability to develop into any type of cell in the body — a property that makes them attractive for a variety of medical applications — but where this ability comes from remains unclear.