EDINBURGH, Scotland, Aug. 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Stem Cell Sciences (SCS, AIM: STEM), today announced that it will participate in the European Commission approved “ESTOOLS” program, a world leading euro 12 million human embryonic stem cell research initiative involving both academic and commercial researchers. Stem Cell Sciences is one of three commercial partners taking part in this program.
“SCS is bringing its technologies and expertise to the project, and plans to use discoveries to supply improved cell based drug screening and toxicology options to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. In the longer term, all these technologies will mesh to help us deliver new stem cell therapies,” said Dr Lilian Hook, Scientific Program Manager -- Europe.
“The momentum for embryonic stem cell research and development is growing, and this funding to will greatly enhance our competitive advantage in delivering human embryonic stem cell based products to the market. We’re delighted that the European Union has elected to fund wide-ranging research in this controversial field. It is a decision that compares very favorably to the situation in the USA where research is still being hampered by political factors and this specific field of endeavor is directly aligned with our commercial focus,” commented Dr. Peter Mountford, CEO of Stem Cell Sciences.
About ESTOOLS program
The overall goal of ESTOOLS is to develop the tools and biological understanding required to control expansion, lineage commitment and terminal differentiation of human embryonic stem cells (“hES”) for bio-industrial and medical applications.
About Human Embryonic Stem Cells (“hES”)
hES cells offer unique opportunities for the investigation of cellular development and disease processes in normal human cells and could constitute a powerful new platform for drug discovery and toxicological screening. The differentiation of hES cells may also provide a resource for future cell replacement therapies. hES cell research is highly likely to yield benefits in basic biology, bio-industry and medicine, but the complexity of the biology demands cross-disciplinary collaborative initiatives to achieve a fuller understanding of these cells and to realize their full potential.
Where ESTOOLS program fits in
ESTOOLS will focus on the self-renewal, specification, commitment and differentiation of hES cells to the neural lineage. Neural differentiation is a pathway that is well-studied in mouse ES cells and one that hES cells appear to adopt fairly readily. There is a lack of our understanding in the early stages of development of the human nervous system. This lineage thus provides a pragmatic starting point for exploring the mechanisms by which ES cells choose between self renewal and commitment & will greatly enhance our knowledge of human brain development. Furthermore, establishing conditions for the quantitative production of neurons and glia is an important goal in its own right. This will provide vital new experimental avenues for the study of cellular specification and disease modeling of the nervous system.
The key to revealing the molecular circuitry that governs the hES cell decision process will be the combination of genomic technologies and genetic interventions. Major priorities in ESTOOLS are the development over 4 years of a complete repertoire of genome engineering techniques for hES cells, standardized methodology for the propagation, expansion & differentiation of hES using automated culture methodologies.
Disclaimer: This research was supported by EC FP6 funding (Contract XXXX- CT-2006-018739). This publication reflects the author’s views and not necessarily those of the EC. The Community is not liable for any use that may be made of the information contained herein
Stem Cell Sciences
CONTACT: James Chandler of Weber Shandwick Square Mile, +44 (0)207 0670747, or jchandler@webershandwick.com, for Stem Cell Sciences; or PeterMountford, CEO of Stem Cell Sciences plc, +1-415-425-6540, orpeter.mountford@stemcellsciences.com
