Erasmus+

Three schools are involved in GenEthics: Maria-Wächtler-Gymnasium in Essen, Germany, Coleguil National Mircea Cel Batran in Constanta, Romania, and Alviksskolan in Stockholm, Sweden. The project involves face-to-face meetings, lab tours, experiments, science fairs and presentations about stem cells and bioethics. Learn more about the project here.

Danielle facilitated an online presentation for the school group in Germany on March 27th, 2023. Here, she introduced the students (14-18 years of age) to the types of stem cells, where they are found, why they are medically interesting, and some of the ethical issues arising. There were 28 students and 8 teachers in attendance. She described  AutoCRAT and how the project researchers are addressing several key bottlenecks in the development of cell and cell-based treatments for osteoarthritis. There was time for questions and answers. The students were concerned with the costs- both the research and the eventual cost of cell therapies.

On March 29th, the students will visit the labs at Universitaetsklinikum Essen to do hands-on experiments- cell culture microscopy, cell culture trypsination and fluorescent microscope. Tobias will describe and demonstrate the bioreactor used in AutoCRAT. The activities at UK Essen are organized by Dr Verena Börger.