The Stem Cell Network Tübingen (SCeNT) covering major aspects of stem cell-related research has recently been established to allow an easy and fast exchange of new techniques amongst the partners and to provide support to stem cell-associated projects of groups outside the network.
The current state of individual expertise of the SCeNT members covers a broad spectrum of stem cell-related research using e.g. embryonic stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, adult stem cells and their differentiated progeny. This will allow the SCeNT to span a comprehensive meshwork of stem cell related topics in 3-dimensional systems. It includes projects (1) that address developmental processes of stem cells under differentiation; (2) decipher dysregulated processes that contribute to disease; (3) aim to provide new therapeutic applications. The joining of experts from different departments and disciplines in our network will substantially strengthen the educational program of the network since it offers a comprehensive overview on different types of stem cells, 3D based stem cell related technologies and applications of this important and rapidly developing field to students.
Last but not least, the largely diverse but still strongly interlocked technologies available within the network will foster already the exchange of knowledge and new innovative ideas. This results in an easy collaborative support for a particular research project. The collective aim of the SCeNT is to implement a strong and sustainable educational platform for stem cell-related topics (e.g. organoids, co-cultures, scaffold cultivation, microfluidic devices) in basic and translational research.