This volume presents reports from recent scientific meetings on topics in emerging fields: (1) Diabetes and Oral Disease: Implications for Health Professionals; (2) The New York Stem Cell Foundation: Sixth Annual Translational Stem Cell Research Conference; and (3) Chronic Inflammatory and Neuropathic Pain.

"Diabetes and Oral Disease: Implications for Health Professionals" was a one-day conference convened by the Columbia University College of Dental Medicine, the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, and the New York Academy of Sciences on May 4, 2011 at The New York Academy of Sciences in New York City. The program included an examination of the bidirectional relationship between oral disease and diabetes and the inter-professional working relationships for the care of people who have diabetes.  The overall goal of the conference was to promote discussion among the healthcare professions who treat people with diabetes, encourage improved communication and collaboration among them and ultimately, improve patient management of the oral and overall effects of diabetes. Attracting over 150 members of the medical and dental professions from eight different countries, the conference included speakers from academia and government and was divided into four sessions. This report summarizes the scientific presentations of the event.

The New York Stem Cell Foundation’s "Sixth Annual Translational Stem Cell Research Conference" convened on October 11–12, 2011 at The Rockefeller University in New York City. Over 450 scientists, patient advocates, and stem cell research supporters from 14 countries registered for the conference.  In addition to poster and platform presentations, the conference featured panels entitled "Road to the Clinic" and "The Future of Regenerative Medicine."

Sponsored by The New York Academy of Sciences, MedImmune, and Grünenthal Gmbh, "Chronic Inflammatory and Neuropathic Pain" was a two-day conference June 2–3, 2011 at the New York Academy of Sciences in New York City.  Leading and emerging investigators studying the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying neuropathic and chronic pain, and experts in the clinical development of pain therapies came together at this forum to address novel issues, current challenges, and future directions of basic research in pain and pre-clinical and clinical development of new therapies for chronic pain. Presentations examined recent therapeutic breakthroughs based on small molecules; the emerging role of biologics as potential new therapies; and current challenges and potential solutions for improved translation of new pain therapies following early target identification, pre-clinical modeling, and clinical development.

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