California's Stem Cell Agency

This application proposes to continue and expand our CIRM-funded integrated training and research program in the fundamental biology of embryonic, adult, and reprogrammed-stem cell research and its applications to human disease. We aim to produce leaders positioned to understand basic stem cell mechanisms, develop relevant human stem cell lines in order to investigate the pathogenesis and treatment of diseases, and provide the fundamental and practical basis for the development of new molecular and cellular therapies. These activities have significant implications for the State of California and its citizens. We are requesting CIRM funds in order to continue our highly successful Research Training Program, with 6 predoctoral, 5 post-doctoral and 5 clinical fellow trainees for a total of 16 concurrent CIRM Scholar positions. Trainees will have the opportunity to learn from pre-eminent stem cell biologists as well as physicians, scientists and physician-scientists at one of the State’s leading academic institutions. Furthermore, our program in Regenerative Medicine, with which trainees are closely associated, represents a unique University-wide collaboration that brings together over 150 faculty members in life, physical, and engineering sciences, together with leaders in business, law, and education. This CIRM Research Training Program proposal will provide real benefits to the State of California and its citizens in the following ways: First, all trainees will be exposed to vital medical issues amongst Californian patients and this will foster new ideas and lead to exploration of novel strategies with associated faculty in their pursuits of novel stem cell therapies. Second, our programmatic activities including courses, seminars, annual retreats, symposia and journal club components as part of this training program, will serve to connect with a much greater number of student, fellows, and basic and clinical faculty across the disciplines, from Biochemistry to Law and Business to Medicine from across the campus in all seven schools and across the State. Third, this training program has significant potential to provide the support and momentum to explore advances in stem cell biology and novel therapies which will further attract additional world class faculty over the next decade. Finally, by bringing together our stem cell faculty and trainees in one program, and connecting and coordinating (via our program in Regenerative Medicine), our efforts across the campus will maximize our capability to develop innovative new diagnostics, tools, and novel therapies in stem cell biology and regenerative medicine and also gain the attention and momentum of researchers across the campus and beyond. These innovations ultimately promise to improve the lives of Californians and bring additional research talent and business into the State.