 |
 |
Some more good news on the stem cell research front: --------- Forwarded Message ---------- Press release from NYS Governor David Paterson: IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 9, 2009 GOVERNOR PATERSON APPLAUDS PRESIDENT OBAMA’S ACTION TO RESTORE FEDERAL FUNDING FOR STEM CELL RESEARCH Announces $101.8 Million in New State Funding for Stem Cell Research For full list of awards by institution and researchers see: http://www.nyhealth.gov/funding/targeted_and_generic_award_list.htm “Today, President Obama demonstrated admirable leadership in reversing a Bush administration initiative that for years has placed limits on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. The President’s Executive Order will expand opportunities for medical researchers to study new treatments and potentially find cures for some of the most debilitating and life-threatening conditions, including spinal cord injuries, Parkinson’s disease and juvenile diabetes. “In 2007 New York State strengthened its position as a leader in biomedical research when we adopted an 11-year, $600 million initiative that provided State funding for stem cell research, in part to counter President Bush’s policy restricting federal funding for human embryonic stem cell (hESC) research to those hESC lines in existence prior to August 9, 2001. “New York’s stem cell research initiative adheres to significant national and international ethical and scientific standards. No State funding is used for research involving human reproductive cloning, which is expressly prohibited by the State legislation. In addition to supporting human embryonic stem cell research, New York’s initiative is supporting other cutting-edge stem cell research, including the development of induced pluripotent cells, which are not embryonic cells, but have similar potential to develop into other types of body tissues for use in regenerative therapies. “I applaud President Obama for signing this Executive Order and restoring federal funding at a time when our country is reeling from a historic economic downturn. Support for stem cell research offers hope for better health to millions while providing an economic stimulus to the biomedical industry.” In addition to commending President Obama today, Governor David A. Paterson announced $101.8 million in new State funding for stem cell research, reinforcing New York’s continued investment and leading role in this rapidly evolving scientific field. The latest round of awards is in addition to $16.5 million in State funding previously announced. To date, New York State has invested a total of $118.3 million in funding for stem cell research. These new State grants will support efforts by research scientists to enhance the understanding of stem cell biology, accelerate the potential of cell-based therapies to treat life-threatening diseases, and position New York to benefit economically from the emerging biotechnology field. The awards will support wide-ranging, generic studies on stem cells, projects targeted at understanding new methods of deriving stem cell lines, and purchase of equipment and shared resources to maximize the expertise, efficiency and quality of stem cell research in New York State. A total of $53.1 million in Investigator Initiated Research Projects and Innovative, Developmental or Exploratory Activities (IDEA) in Stem Cell Research awards will stimulate and support scientific investigations on aspects of stem cell biology that will lead to a better understanding of the unique properties of stem cells and allow their use to treat disease. Awards were made to 78 investigators, with a maximum of $240,000 for two-year IDEA proposals and a maximum of $1,080,000 for investigator-initiated projects. Targeted Investigation of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPS) and Other Derivation Approaches awards totaled $16.3 million to 19 investigators, with similar award amounts. These aim to stimulate and support investigations to develop improved methods for deriving pluripotent stem cell lines; defining the reprogramming mechanisms; and comparing the utility of iPS with embryonic and other pluripotent stem cells for use in disease models and potential therapeutic applications. To ensure that the State scientists have access to specialized facilities that will support their investigations, Shared Facilities/Resources and Equipment/Instrumentation for Stem Cell Research awards were made to nine New York State institutions, for a total of $32.4 million. The shared use facilities will help researchers isolate, derive, and characterize stem cell lines, including disease specific cell lines; develop animal models; provide high-throughput analyses of cells; and maintain quality control and laboratory supplies needed for stem cell experiments. Stem cell research is considered the foundation of regenerative medicine, which aims to improve human health and alleviate disease by restoring cells, tissues and organs lost to disease or injury. To fulfill this promise, scientists must find reliable ways to turn both embryonic and adult stem cells into replacement tissues and organs. Investigators in New York and around the world are striving to understand how stem cells are created, regulated and transformed into the body’s specialized cells. Their findings will expand knowledge about fundamental cellular biology, provide a platform for drug discovery, and help realize the potential of regenerative medicine to treat diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, diabetes and heart disease. For a full list of awards, visit www.nyhealth.gov/funding/targeted_and_generic_award_list.htm. More information on New York’s stem cell research initiative can be found on the program website at www.stemcell.ny.gov. ____________________________________________________________ ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn