University of Connecticut Will Boost Embryonic Stem Cell Research
The University of Connecticut has purchased a building near its health center in Farmington for a new research center, which officials hope will boost the state’s efforts to remain at the forefront of embryonic stem cell research.
Officials plan to renovate the nearly 113,000-square-foot structure to establish a Center of Innovation that will include the University’s new stem cell institute.
It will cost $35 billion to renovate the building, located on 24 acres across the street from the university’s health center campus, according to a news release. The facility is expected to open in 2009.
No federal money will be used for the renovations, in compliance with an order by President Bush that restricts federal funding for stem cell research.
Dr. Marc Lalande of the college, says, that their goal is to maximize the state’s investment in stem cell research and establish an internationally recognized program focused on human embryonic stem cells and regenerative medicine.
When Connecticut launched its 10-year stem cell research program in 2005, the University invested more than $2 million in recruiting scientists with expertise in human embryonic stem cell research to set up a core facility.
The Connecticut stem cell committee has awarded $20 million in grants with money also going to Yale and Wesleyan University.
Connecticut Gov. Jodi Rell, a Republican, signed the measure allowing the funding in June 2005. It bans human reproductive cloning and the sale of human eggs, sperm and embryos, but allows human cloning for research purposes.
About $12 million of that funding is going to UConn researchers, who are expected to move to the Farmington facility when it opens in 2009.
Their projects include research into regenerative stem cell therapies to repair massive bone injuries, like those suffered by members of the military who were injured in Iraq. Other projects will focus on how to guide stem cells into becoming a particular type of tissue and how to manipulate the cells to perform specialized functions.
Their work could impact disorders like Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s disease, expert says.
If all goes well with the research, it could be ready for patient treatments in the next five to 10 years, Lalande said.
