23.01.2013General basics of Stem Cell research, current controversies and perspectives for Neuroscience

Prof. Dr. Andreas Faissner, Cellmorphology and Molecular Neurobiology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Ruhr-Universität Bochum

Research in the area of Stem cell biology has shown a dramatic increase for several years now. The importance of this scientific field is also reflected in the awarding the Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine 2012 to J.B. Gurdon and S. Yamanaka – two stem cell researchers. The analysis of embryonic as well as tissue-specific stem cells concerns fundamental research and has led to rapid progress in the field. Furthermore, questions about the keeping, reproduction and application of stem cells provide numerous references to biotechnology and medical applications. But the possibilities of expansion and manipulation of stem cells also raise general questions, which extend into several fields of ethics, jurisdiction and social policy and which have been subject of controversial debate throughout Europe for years.