Last week, the Cambridge Stem Cell Institute Technology & Innovation Forum (SCI-TIF) celebrated its 3rd Annual Networking Dinner at Homerton College, Cambridge. This event brought together leading scientists from academia and industry, reinforcing SCI-TIF’s mission to unite the Cambridge stem cell community and foster innovation through collaboration.
SCI-TIF: Fostering Collaboration in Stem Cell Science
Launched in 2022, SCI-TIF is a bespoke membership programme designed to bridge academia, biotech and pharma, focusing on stem cell research and its translational potential. The forum’s objectives are to:
- Promote rich discussions and knowledge exchange
- Facilitate partnerships and collaborative projects
- Encourage translational opportunities for new research
SCI-TIF currently counts 12 member companies, with representatives at this year’s dinner from 10x Genomics, ABS Biotechnologies, AstraZeneca, Bio-Techne, bit.bio, Cytiva, Grant Instruments, Oxford Nanoimaging Ltd, Singleron Biotechnologies and Qkine. The event also welcomed special guest Fiona Watt from EMBO, who had delivered a talk for CSCI’s International Seminar Series earlier in the day.
Highlights of the Networking Dinner
The dinner gathered CSCI Principal Investigators (PI), Affiliated PIs, Wellcome-DRP senior researchers, and SCI-TIF member companies. The evening was marked by vibrant discussions, new connections, and a shared enthusiasm for advancing stem cell science.
CSCI Director Bertie Göttgenscommented:
“I was delighted to welcome our SCI-TIF partners to this fabulous event; lots of interactions and networking, with a real buzz throughout. I’m looking forward to growing this cross academia-industry community further.”
CSCI Knowledge Exchange Manager Alice Sorrell said:
"I was thrilled to host our SCI-TIF partners at such a fantastic gathering. The evening was filled with dynamic conversations and meaningful networking, creating an exciting atmosphere throughout. I’m excited to keep growing this community that connects academia with industry.”
SCI-TIF’s Ongoing Impact
SCI-TIF offers its members a range of benefits, including:
- Hot Topic Events on emerging scientific themes
- Networking opportunities and matchmaking sessions
- Participation in the CSCI Annual Retreat
- Access to exclusive seminars and workshops
- A framework for collaborative, challenge-led projects
The forum has already facilitated several collaborations and continues to nurture the networks essential for translating promising research into real-world applications.