This working group will meet to advance the marine stem cell research community in Europe, addressing the inadequate attention in regards to funding and the fragmentation of the marine stem cell research community. An organising committee will be set up to conduct a workshop to bring together those interested in marine invertebrate stem cell biology together to promote research in this emerging field. This will gather the EC research community on marine and aquatic stem cells from marine invertebrates and promote research on stem cell biology, including the employment of innovative ideas and technology.
The initial outcome will be the first census on EU laboratories actively working on marine stem cells. Work will be undertaken to describe the different methodologies used for marine invertebrate stem cell characterisation which will assist with the intended publication of an updated review on marine stems cells in a qualified scientific journal. A forum for marine stem cells will be created to share information, and preparation will begin for a COST Action proposal within EU Horizon 2020.
Bringing together partners and scientists is essential to overcome the scientific fragmentation within this area. It is expected that, following the workshop, a pan-European consortium on marine and aquatic stem cell biologists will be assembled with synergies to the H2020 project PANDORA and with the EU network ELIXIR.