Dear friend of Arkadia, You are warmly invited to “A trip to the world of stem cells “ by biologist Frederic Michon on Wednesday 29.6 at 6pm. During the past decade, stem cell research has become a much debated topic. Stem cell research is often considered dangerous, even immoral at times, and stem cell researchers are seen as going too far in the desire to emulate God. Frederic will explain that it is not so and that biologists are in effect doing much good when searching for ways to cure diseases, injuries and so on. In order to give you a more realistic description of stem cells and the possibilities they offer, Frederic has kindly accepted to guide us through the past, present and conceivable future of stem cell research. The talk will be in English and debate is welcome! Warm regards, Ian www.arkadiabookshop.fi –Entrance is free and green tea will be offered. A donation of €2 (or more!) to fund the event is suggested and would be most welcome. Frederic Michon, PhD I obtained my PhD from the Joseph Fourier University of Grenoble, France, in 2007 as cellular and molecular biologist. My thesis research focused on the molecular signals involved in skin formation. In the course of my study, I found new molecular insights to build natural skin (with hairs and glands) to replace damaged skin of heavily burnt people. After my thesis, I was recruited as post-doctoral researcher at the University of Helsinki to study the complex molecular network involved in the formation and renewal of mouse and other rodent teeth. Since 2010, I supervise a research group in Professor Irma Thesleff ‘s laboratory at the University of Helsinki, focusing on tooth stem cells. The stem cells in the front teeth of a mouse are a great model to understand cell differentiation during tooth formation. This knowledge can be the first step to build a complete tooth for clinical applications.