New stem cell research centre

LONDON – Cambridge University is opening a centre for human embryonic stem cell research to develop treatments for currently incurable diseases such as diabetes and spinal cord injuries.

Researchers at the 16,5 million pound Stem Cell Institute, described as the world’s largest centre for this research, said yesterday that they hope to proceed to human testing within five years. Roger Pedersen, professor of regenerative medicine at the university, said the institute will use state of the art robotics to speed up its research.”The mission is to deliver clinical benefits at the earliest possible date,” Pedersen said.Stem cells are master cells that turn into every kind of human tissue, and scientists believe they could be used to replace diseased cells in people suffering from spinal cord injury, diabetes, Parkinson’s disease and other ailments.Pedersen was formerly at the University of California, San Francisco, but left in 2001 after President George W Bush banned federally funded laboratories from doing research that involved the creation of any type of human embryo.Human embryonic stem cells, while controversial, are considered important by scientists because they can form all the cells in the body.- Nampa-APRoger Pedersen, professor of regenerative medicine at the university, said the institute will use state of the art robotics to speed up its research.”The mission is to deliver clinical benefits at the earliest possible date,” Pedersen said.Stem cells are master cells that turn into every kind of human tissue, and scientists believe they could be used to replace diseased cells in people suffering from spinal cord injury, diabetes, Parkinson’s disease and other ailments.Pedersen was formerly at the University of California, San Francisco, but left in 2001 after President George W Bush banned federally funded laboratories from doing research that involved the creation of any type of human embryo.Human embryonic stem cells, while controversial, are considered important by scientists because they can form all the cells in the body.- Nampa-AP