Training in the Biology of Human Embryonic Stem Cells and Emerging Technologies II

Neurological and cardiovascular disorders, autoimmune diseases, diabetes, cancer and osteoporosis strike no less than 10 million Californians each year, causing an incalculable personal toll and an annual economic cost of billions of dollars in medical expenses and lost productivity. Stem cells are the primitive cells that give rise to the different tissue types in the body. In a way, stem cells are the universal cells from which all cells are derived. Their unlimited proliferation and differentiation potential raises the prospect that stem cells could be used as therapeutic tools offering hope for millions of Californians who suffer from debilitating diseases and conditions for which there are limited or no treatments. But before these potential applications become a reality, scientists need to be educated and trained so to have a better understanding of the mechanisms by which human embryonic stem cells renew themselves indefinitely as well as the cellular and molecular mechanisms that control their differentiation to the different type of cells and tissues of the human body. In this proposal we aim to provide a high quality research training and to ensure a continuing supply of well-trained scientists prepared to conduct cutting-edge health-related research in human embryonic stem cell biology. A key benefit derived from this Training grant proposal is the training of new scientists to serve as educators and researchers for the future, many in the burgeoning area of stem cell biology for which the State of California has emerged as a world's leader. Furthermore, and as a result of their research activities, specific tools and methods for reducing medical costs and increasing the quality of life and level of productivity of afflicted Californians might be generated. Finally, the discoveries derived from innovative and multidisciplinary research on hES cells by the trained scientists are likely to lead to important new areas of intellectual property that are essential for creating high quality jobs in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries in California.