Stem cell research is a hot topic, both scientifically and politically, and nowhere is it hotter than at the Center for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine in Cleveland.
Founded in 2003 with a $19.4-millon Ohio Third Frontier grant as a Wright Center of Innovation, CSCRM now conducts research that may someday lead to new treatments for cancer and all sorts of blood, neurodegenerative, musculoskeletal, orthopedic and cardiovascular disorders.
"The center has a huge amount of intelligence behind it," says Director Stan Gerson. "We have about 90 investigators with funding. It's fair to argue that we have as many different types of stem cells in clinical trials as anywhere in the world."
The center is not one entity, but a collaboration of six: Case Western Reserve University, The Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, The Ohio State University and Athersys, Inc., a leading company in development of therapeutic stem cell treatments.
CSCRM has continually received support for its work from the State of Ohio, including an additional $8-million award in 2006 from Ohio's Biomedical Research and Commercialization Program and a $5-million award last June from the Ohio Third Frontier Commission.
Despite progress being made, Gerson cautions that cures arising from stem cell research may not come as quickly as some would like.
"If you've heard of early phase technology, this is it," he says. Creating new drugs from stem cells "is a 25-year process."
In early December, the National Institutes of Health announced approval of 13 new cell lines for study using tax dollars.
"It's going to be very helpful to us to have access to additional cell lines," Gerson says.
Source: Stan Gerson, Center for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine
Writer: Gene Monteith