Year 2
The UC Irvine Regional Human Embryonic Stem Cell Shared Research Laboratory and Stem Cell Techniques Course continues to be an invaluable element in supporting the mission of the Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center to develop new treatments for human disease. The completion of Gross Hall: A CIRM Institute in May of 2010 allowed us to transition the activities of the lab and its associated teaching into a new world-class facility designed to be the hub of all stem cell research on the UC Irvine campus and in the region. Over the last year we have continued to train many students in stem cell biology at the didactic and practical levels and enabled their entry into the stem cell field. In addition, we have continued to support the research activities of many investigators on the Irvine campus who are already working in the field of regenerative medicine. During this period we have developed novel training methods and made all of our state-of-the-art equipment available to any researchers carrying out research relevant to the CIRM mission. Because of our new facility, we have been able to offer more hands-on training for the many specialized pieces of equipment in the building as well as providing didactic training courses for techniques and methods in the stem cell field. The facilities and courses continue to represent an essential element in the training of our fellows on the CIRM Training Grant II, other graduate students , postdocs, technicians and faculty on the Irvine campus and trainees on the CIRM Bridges programs. The Shared Research Laboratory also continues to host many outreach activities for members of the public. At these events, stem cell research is explained to a lay audience and members of the public are given an opportunity to see stem cells and learn about the incredible opportunities they provide for developing new treatments for human diseases and injuries. Many groups have visited the facility including high school kids, teachers, patients, patient advocates and caregivers as well as donors and potential donors. Each of these groups is inspirational in their own way and they are also inspired by the science and the potential of stem cell research. In short, the UC Irvine Regional Human Embryonic Stem Cell Shared Research Laboratory and Stem Cell Techniques Course continues to be an essential element in the success of the Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center.