WITH STEM CELLS TO ETERNAL LIFE?
The fountain of youth is a symbol of a dream of mankind: to live eternal youth or at least to live many years longer and healthily. This idea has existed in many different forms since antiquity: One sip of the fountain and all infirmities have disappeared!
Through modern research in genomics and cell biology, stem cells are used to prolong people's lives in better health and to heal diseases. Stem cell biologists work and research with stem cells, those human building blocks that can transform into any other cell and thus replace old or broken cells. With the help of bioinformatic methods, it is becoming increasingly possible to gain an insight into the functioning of these cells and thus to design a molecular plan for the fountain of youth.
(Credit: Frank Edenhofer)
Research project
Frank Edenhofer, Katharina Günther, Marta Suarez Cubero, Department of Molecular Biology, Genomics, Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine (Faculty of Biology)
This micro exhibition is part of the 350th anniversary of the University of Innsbruck.
Implementation
Simon Schöpf, Institute of History and European Ethnology (Faculty of Philosophy and History)
Christian Höller, Institute of Design (Faculty of Architecture)
Project members
Nora Pfattner, Rene Pfertzsch
(Credits: Veronika Schaffer, Simon Schöpf)