The main aim for the creation of The Stem Cell Excellence Centre (STEC) was the integration of Polish clinical centres working in the field of stem cell progenitors with the European Research Area through networking, exchange and twinning. This centre will play an important role in the activation and propagation of stem cell based research in this part of Europe. The objective of this project is to reorient activities towards new priorities in research and clinical applications of cooperating centres. The recent advances in the area of stem cell plasticity clearly demonstrate that stem cells present in the various tissues of the human body play an important role in the regeneration of other organs (heart, skin, etc).

The first objective of this project is to increase the network of the medical faculty of the Jagiellonian University Medical College in Cracow and other centres in Poland with the other EU university hospitals and university research centers well recognized in the field of progenitor cell applications in Paris, Regensburg, Ulm, Bristol, Vienna, Vageningen, Aalberg etc. In the past few years both an interest on stem cell research as well as an interest in their clinical application increased at Jagiellonian University. The reason for this was the creation of two bone marrow transplant centres (for adults and children), activation of a program aimed towards the application of ex vivo expanded keratinocytes to treat combustions and skin lesions, and the creation of an endothelial progenitor cell laboratory. All these units have long lasting contacts with several scientific centres in Europe. The aim of STEC is to develop these contacts into long standing collaborations and common scientific programs in the future.

The second objective of this project is to increase the capacity of experience and intellectual potential in improving the knowledge concerning the handling of progenitor cells through the exchange of the scientists, organizing meetings, symposia, conferences and workshops. The aim of STEC is to strengthen the collaboration with participating European partners. We plan to exchange expertise in the field of stem cell isolation, expansion and plasticity. This will be accomplished by the exchange of scientists who will visit scientific centres participating in this program.

STEC will also create a unique opportunity for young scientists from Poland to learn new techniques, particularly in the field of molecular biology. The progress in stem cell research is a result of the modern techniques in studying the expression of gene profiles in stem/progenitor cells, as well as in the strategies aimed to identify gene products - proteins expressed/secreted by these cells. Scientists from European Community Countries participating in STEC will help young scientists from Poland to learn these techniques and to establish similar laboratories in their home institutions.

STEC will play an important role in integrating the intellectual effort of participating members in various aspects of stem cell plasticity and their application in the clinic. This will allow for the development of new therapeutic strategies, which may be a real breakthrough in the clinic.