In 2003 scientists at the Universities of Cologne and Bonn established the German Society of Stem Cell Research as a non-profit association which has meanwhile grown considerably. We have more than 170 members from all major universities and research institutions throughout Germany as well as from Austria, Swiss, Holland and Belgium. When founding the German Society of Stem Cell Research, we mainly intended to build up a basis for supporting stem cell research in the German spoken countries and to rally round all scientists interested in this and related research fields. These include material sciences, biotechnology, genetics, cell biology, basic as well as applied sciences leading to novel therapies and the future clinical application of regenerative medicine. Most importantly this is an independent society, which is not dominated by a few people but lead from the basis in a democratic manner, thus intensifying the scientific exchange between our members and especially supporting young scientists. Also more influence should be gained on the political decision makers. Firstly in order to improve and advance the research on stem cells and regenerative medicine within the German spoken countries, and secondly to give this research field an official basis to strengthen its interests in an international context. Profound public relation and qualified statements on the critical ethical issues around regenerative medicine will be provided. Furthermore, the German Society of Stem Cell Research organizes annual meetings where particularly young stem cell researchers will be given a forum for presenting their lab work. This year's meeting hosted by the University Witten-Herdecke will be held from November 3rd to November 4th in Cologne. The overwhelming number of submitted abstracts demonstrates the great interest in our young society and the importance that stem cell research can develop as a "normal" field of science, i.e. that all hypes and deeps, all positive and negative aspects, as well as the not so spectacular but important results should be reported and discussed. Further information as well as the registration form can be found on the internet site www.stammzellforschung.com or www.stammzellforschung.de