Review 2018 and outlook for 2019 – Fundamental changes in the Stem Cell Network

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2018 was an eventful year for the Stem Cell Network North Rhine-Westphalia. With the approaching end of the fiscal year as well the current form of the network, which has been funded since 2002 by the ministry of North Rhine-Westphalia, will end. Fortunately, that does not mean the end of the network, because in the future the network will be permanently funded by the Ministry of Culture and Science (MKW) of the State of North Rhine Westphalia (subject to the budgetary decision of the parliament). Today we would already like to cordially invite you to the kick-off of the “Stammzellnetzwerk.NRW” on May 13/14, 2019 at the Museum Kunstpalast in Düsseldorf!

One main event in 2018 was the foundation of the association “Stammzellnetzwerk.NRW” at Schloss Mickeln in Düsseldorf, which provides the legal basis for the future institutional support of the Stem Cell Network. Numerous rectors and medical directors came together for the formal foundation. The welcome address was given by State Secretary Annette Storsberg.

While we are still working on the last administrative issues, we would like to present to you today the new logo of the network (see right column).

Hereinafter, we would like to give you a short review of selected events of this year and already announce first dates for 2019:

• More than 200 scientists of the Stem Cell Network joined the retreat in Bonn to present their latest research results. Please note the date for the next retreat: Nov 22/23, 2019 at the Gustav Stresemann Institute in Bonn.
• Six institutes in NRW opened their doors at this year’s UniStem Day, the European day of action on stem cell research, and more than 150 students gained insights into stem cell research. We are very pleased that at the next UniStem Day on March 15, 2019 already ten institutes of the Stem Cell Network (from Münster until Aachen) will offer activities for pupils. Already more than 400 pupils registered, but there are still free places.
• Various newspapers, such as the ‘Süddeutsche Zeitung’, reported lately about stem cell research. The network was in close contact with numerous journalists. Here you can find an overview of the last articles.
• In the future, we will focus more on the promotion of junior scientists. An offer especially for female junior scientists took already place this year and there will be further workshops in 2019! Furthermore, a supervision offer specifically for experienced postdocs with leadership responsibilities will start in January.

At this point, we would also like to thank the members of the network who contributed to many other offers and activities in 2018 (e.g. teacher training, science night etc.).

Save-the-date:

May 13/14, 2019: Kick-off of the Stem Cell Network, Düsseldorf

Nov 22/23, 2019: Internal Retreat, Bonn