Paralyzed Since Age 16, Congressman a Co-Sponsor of 2007 Stem Cell Research Bill

EVENT: Rep. James Langevin, co-sponsor of the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007 and the only quadriplegic in Congress, will give the opening talk at "Stem Cells: Patient, Physician, Scientist," a new public forum organized by UC Irvine's Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center. At the forum, patients, doctors and researchers involved in the fight against retinal degeneration and Huntington's disease will discuss the conditions and potential treatments involving stem cells. After panel discussions, members of the audience will have the opportunity to ask questions.

WHEN: 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 20 Reception begins at 5:30 p.m.

WHERE: University Club, UCI campus. Map: www.uci.edu/campusmap

INFORMATION: Free and open to the public. For more information, contact 949-824-2911.

BACKGROUND: Langevin, a Rhode Island Democrat, was paralyzed at age 16 while working with the police department in the Boy Scout Explorer program. A gun accidentally discharged, and a bullet struck him. Today, Langevin is a strong proponent of stem cell research, co-sponsoring the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007, recently passed by the U.S. House of Representatives.

After Langevin's talk, patient Beth Koenig, Dr. Leonid Lerner and scientist Henry Klassen will discuss retinal degeneration -- vision loss caused by the deterioration of cells in the eye -- and what treatments might result from stem cell research. Discussing Huntington's disease will be patient Frances Saldana, Dr. Neal Hermanowicz and scientist Leslie Thompson. Huntington's is a genetic disorder of the nervous system, characterized by involuntary movements and progressive mental deterioration.

The Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center promotes basic and clinical research and training in the field of stem cell biology. More than 60 UCI scientists use stem cells in their current or planned studies. These researchers study spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, and central nervous system diseases ranging from Alzheimer's to multiple sclerosis. The center is named for Sue and Bill Gross, who in July 2006 donated $10 million to support stem cell research at UCI.