Summary
Stem cells play a key role in the development and regeneration of all organic systems, and studies of the biology of stem cells will greatly increase our understanding of both the normal development and function and the pathophysiology of diseases in different organs. The full potential of stem cells in regenerative medicine can only be realized through a better biological and molecular understanding of these cells and the mechanisms regulating their fate decisions.
This centre will be dedicated to studies of fundamental aspects of stem cell biology, focusing primarily on somatic stem cells of the hematopoietic and central nervous systems as well as embryonic stem cells, and will be closely integrated with the existing programmes in experimental and clinical cell replacement research. The research programme will consist of four major components: stem cell and developmental biology, using mammalian as well as non-mammalian model systems; experimental disease and transplantation models; pre-clinical development; and the development of clinical cell replacement and gene therapy.
The establishment of this centre will involve recruiting new research groups in key areas. |
