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Stem-cell collaboration secures major grant

10 June 2009

The potential of using stem-cells to treat Alzheimer's disease and other illnesses will be investigated by Victorian and Californian researchers under a $A28.7 million collaboration.

Stem-cell scientists from the Monash Immunology and Stem Cell Laboratories and Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, together with the Australian Stem Cell Centre and the Florey Neuroscience Institutes, are the first to be funded under an international alliance between the Victorian Government and the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine (CIRM).

The funding was awarded for four collaborative stem-cell projects designed to move promising basic research in stem-cell science toward the clinic for eventual patient benefit.

The research focus varies from studying the immune system in conjunction with stem cells to prevent rejection, to harnessing the abilities of human embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells) and their potential for growth and differentiation into all the cells of the body.

The University's Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Edwina Cornish said Monash was an internationally-focused university that supported intricate research programs on the most pressing biomedical issues.

"These exciting joint projects with California are a triumph of collaboration between the brightest experts in the world that will help to tackle a range of debilitating illnesses," Professor Cornish said.

For full details of the projects visit the State Government of Victoria website.