Already for the 3rd time, about 600 international scientists met for the “International Congress on Stem Cells and Tissue Formation” from July 11-14, 2010 in Dresden. The congress offers researchers worldwide the possibility to exchange latest results in the area of stem cell research and biomaterials. ¬In 56 talks and 250 posters, the participants of the congress discussed their work in basic research and clinical applications. Central to this years’ congress were stem cells and the formation of tissues of multiple organs, like the central nervous system, pancreas, skin, heart and the hematopoietic system. In addition, systems biology, biomaterials, and clinical developments in the area of regenerative medicine and cell based therapies were emphasized. For the first time this year, the public was able to attend a session during the congress, which was especially designed for a lay public. The international stem cell congress is organized every second year by the Dresden stem cell community in the CRTD and the Collaborative Research Center (SFB 655) "Cells into Tissues" (www.sfb655.de). German Press Release

If our immune system is turning against the healthy cells in our body, autoimmune diseases like Type 1 Diabetes can occur. Immune cells that can inhibit such destructive cells of the immune system are regulatory T cells (Treg) that need the protein Foxp3 for this purpose. Treg cells can suppress the destruction of the insulin producing cells in the pancreas. Until now, it was assumed that Treg cells can only develop in a certain lymphatic organ, the thymus. However, the thymus degenerates with age. In this way, fewer and fewer Treg cells can be generated. Dr. Karsten Kretschmer from the CRTD and his team have now discovered a progenitor population of Treg cells outside the thymus. These cells can inhibit the destructive cells of the immune system after they are matured. The scientists have presented their surprising results in the current issue of the Journal of Experimental Medicine. (Schallenberg et al.) German Press release

From 6pm to 1am on June 18, over 700 visitors came to the CRTD and the Biotechnology Center of the TU Dresden during the 8th Long Night of Science in Dresden. This years' long night of science focused on the internationality in science as more than half of the CRTD scientists come from abroad. A diverse program with 16 different highlights was offered to the public, who could get a glimpse into labs and experience science in action during that night. Microscopes, mouse stem cells, zebrafishes, nanomagnets, 3D proteins, and much more were waiting to be discovered. A special kid's tour presented luminescent fruit flies and the regenerative wonder of the Axolotl. In addition, the zebrafish station had famous guests this year: the Saxon Minister of State of Science and the Fine Arts, Prof. Sabine von Schorlemer, the First Mayor of the city of Dresden Dirk Hilbert, and 18 other public figures of Dresden were visiting the Long Night of Science in a tour through Dresden Johannstadt.

About 200 members from the CRTD network took part in the 4th CRTD Summer Conference on Regenerative Medicine on June 11, 2010.  The conference started with the keynote speaker Prof. Christoph Klein from the Hannover Medical School. During the morning sessions, three new members of the CRTD network introduced themselves to the community. Triantafyllos Chavakis (a new member of the CRTD), Stephan Speier, and Mike O. Karl, both new group leaders at the CRTD, presented their research. Furthermore, four talks, chosen from the submitted poster abstracts, completed the sessions before lunch. The following two poster sessions presented more than 90 posters from the six different research areas of the CRTD. The posters in each area were evaluated by judges for poster prizes that were sponsored by Olympus (see winner list).
Over 400 guests celebrated until late in the evening at the Summer Party after the conference. Lots of attractions for the children, music, and of course soccer kept everyone entertained. Hope to see you all next year!

Get ready! On June 18, 2010 from 6pm to 1am, lots of Dresden research institutions will open their doors for the 8th time already for the Long Night of Science. The CRTD and the Biotechnology Center of the TU Dresden will offer again a colorful program: In talks and at stations, visitors can explore everything from Bioinformatics to Cell Biology, and to Biophysics. We will send the littlest visitors on a special journey only for kids, where the 'water monster' Axolotl and luminous fruit flies can be discovered. Using microscopes, kids can get a close-up view of science in action. The cafeteria will offer snacks and beverages. You can find all the details in the full program.

www.wissenschaftsnacht-dresden.de

The new home for about 300 scientists and employees of the CRTD has a visible shape now. The finishing of the building shell was today traditionally celebrated with the roofing ceremony. Construction workers, representatives of the The Saxon Ministry of Science and the Fine Arts, of the Technische Universität Dresden, of the public enterprise SIB, and of the CRTD gathered at the building site to celebrate the ceremony together.  The new research center is built according to the ideas of architect and university professor Gunter Henn and is located near the University hospital and next to the BioInnovationCenter (BIOZ) in Dresden-Johannstadt. With about 6.200 square meters floor space, a functional science building will arise for the research community of the CRTD. Press Release of the Saxon Ministry of State of Finance.

A delegation of members of the state parliament in Baden-Württemberg is visiting Dresden at the moment in order to gain information about the Saxon research landscape and the design of teaching in the area of biotechnology. Today, the delegation visited the CRTD to catch up on information about research and teaching on the bio-campus in Dresden Johannstadt. Mr. Jörg Geiger from the Saxon Ministry of Science and the Fine Arts and Prof. Michael Brand talked about the biomedical research in Dresden and the advantage of a close network in research and teaching. In this way, Prof. Brand explained amongst others the conditions for excellent research in the area of life sciences in Dresden. Prof. Martin Bornhäuser and Dr. Dunja Knapp presented as CRTD scientists examples of the research at the CRTD. On a short tour through the house, the members of the state parliament were able to get a close picture of the CRTD labs. Tomorrow, the members of the delegation have the chance to talk to colleagues of the Saxon state parliament.

Science is beautiful! For the fifth time already, the CRTD exhibition ‘Science is beautiful’ is open to the public. The pictures from scientists of the CRTD network can be seen from February 25, 2010 in the ambulance of the Neurology (house 62) of the University hospital “Carl Gustav Carus”, Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm. The exhibition displays pictures in the area of regenerative medicine. Most pictures are microscope images that are mainly the basis to visualize and understand the contents of regenerative research. ‘Science is beautiful‘ was on display for the first time in March 2008 on the occasion of the awards ceremony of the CRTD to “Selected landmark in the land of ideas”  in the BioInnovationsCenter. Further locations for the exhibition were in October and November 2008 in the Japanische Palais in Dresden and in the TU Dresden Auditorium Centre. In summer 2009, the exhibition was shown in the club house of the Johannstadt club Aktives Leben e.V. If you missed it so far, you’re welcome to come by the Neurology!

Can I enjoy Bioinformatics? What does a nutritionist in a research lab? What tasks does a technician have in an institute? If you are interested in answers to these kinds of questions, or just want to get a taste of science, then the CRTD and the Biotechnology Center of the TU Dresden is the right place for you on April 22 from 3pm! Here, researchers from all over the world are working in different areas, like cell biology, biophysics, (regenerative) medicine, or bioinformatics. You will have the opportunity to talk with scientists and ask them lots of questions. A tour through our building will also give you an idea about the research taking place. Interested girls can register here for the Girl's Day. 

With Dr. Mike O. Karl, the CRTD gains an excellent researcher in the area of retinal regeneration. He started his work at the CRTD in the beginning of 2010. His research group will focus on retinal development and regeneration, retinal diseases and retinal repair. Before, he did postdoctoral studies at the University of Washington, Seattle and was a junior fellow at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. Dr. Karl received his medical degree (MD) and scientific degree (Dr. med.) at the University of Hamburg. At the CRTD, his goal is to glean knowledge from regenerative mechanisms to develop strategies for protection and repair of the retina. Therefore, Mike. O. Karl is observing the retinal cells throughout their life, from embryonic stem cells to retinal progenitors to differentiating and mature neurons and glia. He is especially interested in regeneration by de novo neurogenesis in the adult mammalian retina.

The Saxon Prime Minister Stanislaw Tillich recognized the CRTD today as a Saxon biotechnology-figurehead in the world. "With this research center, the only cluster of excellence in East Germany is located in Saxony. The CRTD is one of the major research projects in our academic landscape with its forward-looking research approaches and results in the area of biotechnology and biomedicine. The researchers of the CRTD work with intelligence, passion and the highest commitment on therapies of the future. Through regenerative therapies 'made in Saxony', there is hope to cure diseases like diabetes, Alzheimer, or Parkinson in the future", said the Prime Minister. On a tour through the labs of the center, the Prime Minister was able to experience the research very closely. He caught up with the current state of research and discussed with scientists about the future of the center.