Discovery: Stem Cell Biology NIH Actions Continue infrastructure award program Characterize cell lines Stimulate more research on basic biology Train investigators to culture and use stem cells

NIH AWARDS 60 investigators at 40 institutions 14 investigator-initiated grants 44 supplements

for shipping increased hESC LINES Number available for shipping increased from 5 to 11 since September 2002.

NIH Supported Research University of Wisconsin scientists replaced a specific stretch of DNA in hESC -- homologous recombination Advance: Scientists can now study the function of specific genes within these cells and could modify hESC-derived tissues for potential treatment in patients.

NIH Supported Research NIH Scientists observe: differentiated mESCs repaired damage when transplanted into the mouse brain or spinal cord. Advance: May lead to development of replacement therapy for cells destroyed by injury or disease, such as stroke, Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s disease.

NIH Supported Research Advance: In vitro studies produced cells from hESC that might be used for blood cell transplantation therapies for patients with blood malignancies such as leukemia or myeloma.

NIH Supported Research Scientists are currently working to identify those genes that are involved in the differentiation of hESCs and genes that permit embryonic stem cells to self-renew. Advance: Once the genes are identified, gene transfer techniques may permit scientists to coax hESCs into becoming insulin-producing beta cells to treat insulin-dependent diabetes.

NIH Supported Research Scientists tested the ability of human feeder cells derived from fetal or adult tissues to support the growth of hESC. Advance: This is an ideal system for identifying factors secreted by human feeder cells that maintain hESCs’ self-renewing and multipotent state.

NIH Supported Research U. of Minn. Scientist isolated multipotent adult progenitor cells from human bone marrow Advance: Adult stem cells demonstrated the potential to differentiate beyond bone marrow stem cells and into other cell types, including liver cells, neurons and blood vessel-forming cells.

NIH Supported Research Stem cells found in dental pulp of “baby teeth” have the potential to become cells expressing molecular markers characteristic of dentin, bone, fat, and nerve cells. Advance: These cells could possibly be used to repair damaged teeth, regenerate bone, treat nerve injury or disease.

NIH-supported research Umbilical cord stem cells are able to repopulate the bone marrow of a small child, but only a small number of cells are obtained from each umbilical cord. We are now seeking methods to expand cells in culture to generate larger numbers for use in clinical applications.

Investigator-Initiated Awards Modeling Development hematopoiesis with embryonic stem cells — Whitehead Institute Strategies for Primate Transgenesis U. of Wisconsin at Madison Neurons from Human & Mouse Washington University

Investigator-Initiated Awards In vivo potential of human ES-cell derived blood cells – University of Minnesota Gene expression in beta-cells by lentiviral vectors – Harvard University Growth factor-based culture system for ES cells – R and D System, Inc.

Investigator-Initiated Awards Towards renal regeneration - U. of Queensland, AU Cranial bone repair with adipose tissue-derived stem cells – U.Va. Derivation of smooth muscle lineages from stem cells – U.Va. Regulation of embryonic stem cells– Monash University, AU

Investigator-Initiated Awards Radiation damage repair in the brain via human ES cells – Sloan Kettering Institute Improved lentiviral vectors for primate ES cells– U. of Wisconsin – Madison Neural specification of embryonic stem cells – U. of Wisconsin