Britain Invests in Stem Cell Research

To ensure that the United Kingdom remains at the forefront of the international effort to develop and exploit stem cell technology, five research councils in the UK have issued strategic grants totaling nearly $30 million for stem cell research. Research Councils UK (RCUK) coordinates the program.

The Medical Research Council (MRC), the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), and the Council for the Central Laboratory of the Research Councils (CCLRC) have awarded 57 multidisciplinary research grants for stem cell research to be funded with monies made available after the 2002 Government Spending Review.

Grants were awarded for both basic and applied research. Projects that have been funded cover a wide range of research. For example, one is to examine the possibility of stimulating regeneration of the human spinal cord by grafting human nasal stem cells into the damaged areas, while another is to explore the extent of ‘plasticity' of adult stem cells. As an overall part of this ambitious program, a human embryonic stem cell resource center will be established at Sheffield University.




Related Links:
Research Councils UK (RCUK)
Sheffield University