California Institute for Regenerative Medicine has awarded research grants of $5.6 million to four stem cell researchers. All of these researchers belong to the Stanford University School of Medicine. The grants are designed to facilitate the stem cell research in California. The grants largely aim the pluripotent human stem cell. The University authority said that the money will be used to support the creation of new pluripotent human stem cell lines.

The University sources confirmed that the grants will support two types of research primarily. One is the creation of new human embryonic stem cell (hESC) lines from excess or discarded early-stage human embryos created by in vitro fertilization. The other is the derivation of new pluripotent human stem cell lines either through a technique called somatic cell nuclear transfer or by modifying neonatal or adult cells to render them pluripotent. These reprogrammed cells are called induced pluripotent stem cells, or iPSCs.

It can be added that the pluripotent human stem cell are potential sources of stem cell. They can be used to treat various injuries and fatal diseases.

The recipients were Renee Reijo Pera, director of the Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research and Education Center in Stanford’s stem cell institute; Michael Longaker, deputy director of Stanford’s stem cell institute and director of the Program in Regenerative Medicine; Michele Calos, professor of genetics and Julie Baker, assistant professor of genetics. Each of the recipients received multiyear grants of about $1.4 million.

Source: Business Journal