Stem Cell Research in California | California's Stem Cell …

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With funding from CIRM available to California researchers, the state is in a unique position within the United States. Learn more about how CIRM changes the landscape of research in California and about laws in other states.

As the largest source of funding for stem cell research outside the NIH, CIRM is funding novel research pathways in addition to identifying hurdles to new stem cell therapies and specifically funding approaches to overcome those barriers.

CIRM has funded buildings that are needed in order to do the research without the restrictions that came with federal funding under President Bush.

CIRM Major Facilities Speed Stem Cell Science and Create Jobs [4:20]

CIRM's rounds of funding have specifically targeted areas that will help push stem cell research toward the clinic. Our SEED grants pulled more scientists into stem cell research and the Comprehensive awards supported California's leading stem cell scientists. CIRM encouraged young faculty to commit their labs to stem cell science through two rounds of New Faculty awards, which support those faculty for five years. Training grants and Bridges awards ensure a next generation of stem cell scientists and laboratory personnel to fill the needs of a growing stem cell research sector in Calfiornia.

This NPR story discusses the value of stem cell funding in California:

CIRM's research grants pull new science into the stem cell pipeline with the Basic Biology awards. These awards also create a better understanding of stem cell biology, which helps scientists at all stages of developing new therapies. The Tools and Technologies awards support the creation of new technologies and tools for overcoming barriers in stem cell research. These will help ensure that the ideas coming out of basic research move quickly down the pipeline to new therapies. The Early Translational awards fund research that moves basic ideas towards therapeutic targets -- a critical step in developing new cures that is traditionally difficult to to fund.

The recent Disease Team awards create a unique collaborative approach to science. Rather than funding individual scientists working in isolation, these innovative awards require scientists to work together to overcome barriers. These teams are committed to bringing a therapy to the FDA within four years -- a dramatic reduction in the normal time required for this stage research. By being strategic about what types of research get funded CIRM will speed the time it takes to go from basic research to new therapies that help treat incurable diseases.

Stem cell research has the potential to treat diseases that currently have high health care costs. Diabetes, for example, is among the most expensive chronic diseases. People with the disease require regular injections of insulin, monitoring equipment, regular doctor visits and have higher healthcare costs due to the eye, kidney, cardiovascular, and neural effects of the disease. Even if a stem cell-based therapy doesnt entirely cure the disease, reducing its impact would be an enormous economic benefit.

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Stem Cell Research in California | California's Stem Cell ...