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16.03.2018

10th edition of the European day dedicated to stem cell research outreach

On March 16th, 74 Universities and Research Institutes in 10 European Countries will engage simultaneously more than 27.000 students who will be the protagonists of a day entirely dedicated to stem cell research with seminars, discussions, round tables and laboratory activities.

UniStem Day 2018: Jürgen Knoblich (IMBA), Karin Garber (Vienna Open Lab), Madalina Mirea und Chukwuma Agu. (c)IMBA
UniStem Day 2018: Jürgen Knoblich with interested students. (c)ViennaOpenLab

Technological innovation, new discoveries in the field of stem cells and how to recognize fake news: these are some of the themes of the 10th edition of event, UniStem Day is not only science, it’s engagement, inspiration and fun at the same time.

Originally conceived at the University of Milan in 2009, the event is an opportunity to foster learning, discovery and debate in the field of stem cell research, thus representing a way to inspire and stimulate interest in science among the younger generation. Germany, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Spain, Serbia, Sweden and the UK confirmed their presence for many years now at UniStem Day, thus recognizing the importance of science outreach for high school students. France and Austria will join the UniStem Day for the first time this year.

IMBA and the nonprofit educational organization Vienna Open Lab gave insights into the daily routine of a stem cell scientist. Over 120 curious students from Vienna had the opportunity to work with real iPS cultures. In a “hands on workshop” Chukwuma Agu from the Stem Cell Core Facility at the Vienna BioCenter together with the tutors from the Vienna Open Lab Team, presented the fascinating process of stem cell reprogramming in a playful atmosphere. The ethical dimensions of stem cell research were reflected in an ethical role game, where students switched roles to discuss the latest advancements in technology from the point of view of a clinician, a scientist, an ethical committee member, or an affected patient or parent in a lively debate.

“We here at IMBA are happy to join this fantastic initiative and bring UniStemDay to Austria for the first time,” says Jürgen Knoblich, Deputy Scientific Director of IMBA. Together with the Vienna Open Lab we can actively engage and exchange with curious and motivated young people, bringing latest cutting edge iPS technology-straight from the lab to the classroom. After all, the young people of today are the next generation of researchers!”