title: Stem cell research in Latin America: update, challenges and opportunities in a priority research area.
abstract: Stem cell research is attracting wide attention as a promising and fast-growing field in Latin America, as it is worldwide. Many countries in the region have defined Regenerative Medicine as a research priority and a focus of investment. This field generates not only opportunities but also regulatory, technical and operative challenges. In this review, scientists from Uruguay, Mexico, Chile, Brazil and Argentina provide their view on stem cell research in each of their countries. Despite country-specific characteristics, all countries share several issues such as regulatory challenges. Key initiatives of each country to promote stem cell research are also discussed. As a conclusion, it is clear that regional integration should be more emphasized and international collaboration, promoted.
authors.affiliation: FONDAP Center for Genome Regulation, Faculty of Science, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Verónica
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Palma
authors.affiliation: Institute Leloir Foundation-IIBBA-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: Fernando J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Pitossi
authors.affiliation: D'Or Institute for Research & Education (IDOR) & Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: Stevens K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Rehen
authors.affiliation: Hospital de Clínicas Dr Manuel Quintela, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Touriño
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Fisiología Celular - Neurociencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México.
authors.forename: Iván
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Velasco
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001118:Argentina; D001938:Brazil; D002677:Chile; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D007843:Latin America; D008800:Mexico; D044968:Regenerative Medicine / Q000191:economics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D012109:Research Support as Topic; D057905:Stem Cell Research / Q000191:economics* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology; D014583:Uruguay
keywords: Latin America; regenerative medicine; stem cells