University of Wisconsin–Madison

Stem Cell Learning Lab

Our Stem Cell Learning Lab at the Biotechnology Center merged with the Morgridge Institute for Research science outreach program in September 2024. For more information about stem cell outreach and other UW–Madison science field trips, please visit UW–Madison Cross-Campus Science Field Trips.

History

The Stem Cell Learning Lab was made possible in 2008 by a grant from the Ira and Ineva Reilly Baldwin Wisconsin Idea Endowment. It was a collaboration among the Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Center, Biotechnology Center, WiCell, Student Society for Stem Cell Research (SSSCR) and SCRMC Graduate Student Association. From 2008 to 2024, more than 28,000 visiting students and community members from Wisconsin and beyond gained a greater understanding of stem cell research and regenerative medicine through this free, hands-on experience. Learners viewed real stem cells under the microscope and used the same equipment and methods researchers use to prepare and grow their cells. Participants used realistic cell and media substitutes due to cost and biosafety restrictions.

Did you know?

James Thomson, PhD, from UW–Madison was the first in the world to grow monkey and then human embryonic stem cells, in the 1990s. His colleagues at UW–Madison then grew some of the first types of differentiated cells from those stem cells, such as skin cells (Lynn Allen-Hoffmann, PhD); neurons (Su-Chun Zhang, PhD); retinal cells (David Gamm, MD, PhD); and cardiomyocytes, or heart muscle cells (Timothy Kamp, MD, PhD). Dr. Kamp’s heart cells even came together and started to beat in the lab dish just like a real heart!

Here are some more cool beating heart cell videos:

UW–Madison stem cell history:

Latest UW–Madison stem cell news, events and opportunities: