University of Copenhagen (Denmark) operates the Stem Cell and Embryology Group that will work with EMU directly in the SERMET project. The group has strong experience in the production of bovine embryos. With respect to the stem cell activities, the Group holds competences in human and porcine iPSC reprogramming and neural differentiation of iPSC including all necessary characterization of stem cells and differentiated cells. Likewise, the Group has competences in CRISPR-based genome editing for production of isogenic control cell lines and induction of specific mutations in normal lines. For the activities, the group holds competences for oocyte maturation, fertilization and initial embryonic development in vitro, for development of relevant media for these procedures and for molecular and cell biological characterization of early embryos. The group closely collaborates with commercial bovine in vitro production facilities as well as universities around the world, in particular Giessen University, Colorado University and the University of Florida. UCPH has extensive experience making connections to industry, including having strategic partnerships with both large and small firms in the  pharmaceutical sector. This includes Novo Nordisk, which markets its hormone therapy and other products in more than 180 countries; GlaxoSmithKline, which develops and makes medicines and vaccines in over 170 countries and has established research collaborations with more than 3,000 organisations. One member of the UCPH team is Founder and CSO of  EmbryoTrans Biotech, a company that develops serum-free ready-to-use in vitro fertilization (IVF) media for animal reproduction for the UK company IVF Bioscience. They also have a strong relationship with Lundbeck, which markets pharmaceutical products in 100 countries.  Within the university there is an extensive collaboration with other departments, allowing us to do extensive analysis such as gene expression analysis, gene modification, differential staining as well as electron microscopy. You can find more information http://ikvh.ku.dk/english/

Description and main tasks  
The Stem Cell and Embryology Group at University of Copenhagen (UCPH) has a strong focus on (1) human and porcine induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) for modeling neurodegenerative disorders and (2) in vitro production (IVP) of bovine embryos. With respect to the stem cell activities, the Group holds competences in human and porcine iPSC reprogramming and neural differentiation of iPSC including all necessary characterization of stem cells and differentiated cells. Likewise, the Group has competences in CRISPR-based genome editing for production of isogenic control cell lines and induction of specific mutations in normal lines. For the IVP activities, the Group holds competences for oocyte maturation, fertilization and initial embryonic development in vitro, for development of relevant media for these procedures and for molecular and cell biological characterization of early embryos.