In the news

The new East of England Stem Cell Network (EESCN), a unique initiative that brings together local experts in stem cell research from the academic, clinical and commercial sectors was formally launched this week (see press release). The EESCN seeks to promote innovation in stem cell research and its applications, and strengthen the East of England’s position as a global leader in this field; the region is already an established centre of excellence in stem cell science and its applications, comprising not only the Cambridge Stem Cell Institute and the UK Stem Cell Bank at Potters Bar, but also expertise in developmental biology, epigenetics, clinical translation of research into practice and the ethics and regulation of stem cell technology.

Co-ordinated by the Cambridge Genetics Knowledge Park in partnership with the Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, the Eastern Region Biotechnology Initiative and Cambridge Network, the EESCN aims to foster collaboration between network members, to promote stem cell research on a national and international level and encourage investment, and to address the social, regulatory and legal implications of stem cell technology. Network members include academic and clinical research centres, patient groups, individual scientific, legal and venture capital enterprises, and business development agencies.

Dr Mary Archer, Chair of EESCN, welcomed delegates to the launch, saying: “The government commitment to stem cell research is now significant and gives a very strong lead, but we need more proven roads to therapy”. Cambridge Stem Cell Institute Director Professor Roger Pedersen, who also spoke at the launch, commented: "Cambridge and the East of England represent the largest biotech cluster in the whole of Europe. As such, our area has the greatest concentration of intellectual capital in the areas of genomics, proteomics and cell developmental biology. These are the platform disciplines for the UK stem cell enterprise. Therefore we look forward to tremendous contributions from Cambridge and the East of England as stem cell research moves forward to the clinic and delivers the therapeutic benefits of regenerative medicine".

For more information on stem cell science and the activities of the Network, see the EESCN website.