SY-Stem´s aim is to shape the next generation of stem cell researchers. The symposium addresses young, aspiring researchers in the field of stem cells who have the unique opportunity to share and discuss their latest findings and mingle with the vibrant stem cell community at the Vienna BioCenter, and beyond.

For the welcome keynote, Jonas Frisén from the Karolinska Institute talked about “new cells in old brains”, sharing insights about the role of stem cells in cell turnover in healthy and pathological situations. The different sessions covered a diverse area of stem cell related research fields ranging from topics like adult stem cells, germ lines & totipotency, organoids, pluripotency, differentiation & reprogramming, to regeneration and ageing. 
Also, some of IMBA´s stem cell research was highlighted at SY-Stem: Bon-Kyoung Koo, group leader at IMBA since 2018, gave insights into“Defining the identity and dynamics of adult gastric isthmus stem cells”, group leader Ulrich Elling explained “The Genetics of Cell Identity Change”, and IMBA Alumna Madeline Lancaster, who pioneered the development of cerebral organoid technology together with Jürgen Knoblich in 2013, shares “Advances in brain organoid technologies and their application to human biology”.

To close the symposium, Janet Rossant from the Sick Kids Research Institute highlighted the mechanisms of cell fate decisions in the early mouse embryo and their application to the maintenance and differentiation of embryo-derived stem cells, combining methods like single cell RNA-seq data with experimental analysis of cell plasticity. 

At SY-Stem, besides exciting science, exchange is essential. To facilitate ‘real conversations’ about the latest trends and methods in stem cell research, numerous coffee breaks, poster sessions, dinners and a social event on Friday were just some of the occasions to exchange ideas and results and create new connections. In the framework of SY-Stem, a hands-on workshop hosted by the IMBA Stem Cell Core Facility took place, providing skills of handling and genetically modifying human and mouse embryonic stem cells as well as generating induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC). Also, editors of the scientific journals Cell Press, Nature Communications, and Development offered info and Q&A slots for PhD students and Postdocs interested in scientific writing.

Click here for the photo gallery.

Want to know more about the SY-Stem and sign up for an alert for next year's symposium: Click here