A while back, I asked member Hegy how things were going stem cell wise in Scotland. Here is the latest report to update us all.
By Nicola Sturgeon
Special to the Mercury News
Posted: 04/06/2009
Scotland's medical community cheered with its California counterparts last month as President Barack Obama removed federal funding restrictions on stem-cell research. The San Jose Mercury News proclaimed that "a dark decade for scientific advancement has ended."
Stem-cell research holds out hope to millions that yet undiscovered treatments may cure their illnesses, and Scotland is home to some of the most innovative trials. So, as the United States ends its "dark decade," what principles do we in Scotland see as important to harnessing the power of stem-cell research?
First, universities and the public and private sectors need to be working together to pursue progress.
Collaboration is allowing Scotland to invest heavily in ethically derived human embryonic stem cells. In February, Scotland's ITI Life Sciences announced an agreement with global stem cell company Cellartis AB to develop an automated process that can produce large volumes of high-quality, ethically derived embryonic stem cell lines with the potential to become any type of cell.
British company ReNeuron will conduct the first in-human clinical trial involving neural stem cell therapy this summer in Scotland. The treatment is designed to repair brain tissue lost as a result of a stroke. Animal tests suggest that the embryonic stem cells can help patients' nerve cells to regenerate, reversing stroke damage, and the research at Glasgow's Southern General Hospital will test
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the safety as well as efficacy measures of this approach.
Groundbreaking research is also being carried out in Scotland to combat corneal blindness, using a special type of stem cell called limbal cells for the first time. The initial trials are to be tested on 20 patients at first, before being scaled up to larger studies.
All of these trials are testament to the power of great science, developed alongside world leading clinical expertise and supported by public sector investment.
Second, successful science needs a government on its side. This means funding, as California recognized in 2004 with passage of its $3 billion bond initiative for stem-cell research. But it also involves streamlining the regulatory system to create a business environment that fosters innovation.
ReNeuron originally sought approval to run its trial in the United States but found regulators cautious about approving it. Not every trial merits approval, of course, but to realize significant medical breakthroughs, all parts of the government must be aligned to support the clinical trials that often offer the most significant benefit for patients.
Finally, in the new global economy, no country or researcher can afford to close its borders. Stem-cell research centers of excellence exist in many countries, and some of the best collaboration takes place between universities and researchers from different parts of the world.
The Stanford-Scotland Photonics Innovation Collaboration Science Bridge, for instance, came as a result of a ?1.6 million award to Stanford University from the UK Research Councils. Stanford and Scottish universities have been working together for over 30 years, and this new funding will help develop advanced imaging technologies for the life sciences; it's a powerful transatlantic partnership that defies national boundaries and shares a commitment by all sides to success.
American scientists have spent the last eight years working around regulations. Their creativity, entrepreneurialism and determination brought progress. But imagine what might have been if central government had been on the front foot, proactively supporting stem-cell research in America during this "dark decade." Let's consign the dark days to history and collaborate for scientific advancement in the years ahead.
Nicola Sturgeon is Scotland"s deputy first minister and secretary for health and wellbeing. She is visiting California as part of Scotland Week 2009 and speaking at Stanford University on Tuesday. She wrote this article for the Mercury News.
By Nicola Sturgeon
Special to the Mercury News
Posted: 04/06/2009
Scotland's medical community cheered with its California counterparts last month as President Barack Obama removed federal funding restrictions on stem-cell research. The San Jose Mercury News proclaimed that "a dark decade for scientific advancement has ended."
Stem-cell research holds out hope to millions that yet undiscovered treatments may cure their illnesses, and Scotland is home to some of the most innovative trials. So, as the United States ends its "dark decade," what principles do we in Scotland see as important to harnessing the power of stem-cell research?
First, universities and the public and private sectors need to be working together to pursue progress.
Collaboration is allowing Scotland to invest heavily in ethically derived human embryonic stem cells. In February, Scotland's ITI Life Sciences announced an agreement with global stem cell company Cellartis AB to develop an automated process that can produce large volumes of high-quality, ethically derived embryonic stem cell lines with the potential to become any type of cell.
British company ReNeuron will conduct the first in-human clinical trial involving neural stem cell therapy this summer in Scotland. The treatment is designed to repair brain tissue lost as a result of a stroke. Animal tests suggest that the embryonic stem cells can help patients' nerve cells to regenerate, reversing stroke damage, and the research at Glasgow's Southern General Hospital will test
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the safety as well as efficacy measures of this approach.
Groundbreaking research is also being carried out in Scotland to combat corneal blindness, using a special type of stem cell called limbal cells for the first time. The initial trials are to be tested on 20 patients at first, before being scaled up to larger studies.
All of these trials are testament to the power of great science, developed alongside world leading clinical expertise and supported by public sector investment.
Second, successful science needs a government on its side. This means funding, as California recognized in 2004 with passage of its $3 billion bond initiative for stem-cell research. But it also involves streamlining the regulatory system to create a business environment that fosters innovation.
ReNeuron originally sought approval to run its trial in the United States but found regulators cautious about approving it. Not every trial merits approval, of course, but to realize significant medical breakthroughs, all parts of the government must be aligned to support the clinical trials that often offer the most significant benefit for patients.
Finally, in the new global economy, no country or researcher can afford to close its borders. Stem-cell research centers of excellence exist in many countries, and some of the best collaboration takes place between universities and researchers from different parts of the world.
The Stanford-Scotland Photonics Innovation Collaboration Science Bridge, for instance, came as a result of a ?1.6 million award to Stanford University from the UK Research Councils. Stanford and Scottish universities have been working together for over 30 years, and this new funding will help develop advanced imaging technologies for the life sciences; it's a powerful transatlantic partnership that defies national boundaries and shares a commitment by all sides to success.
American scientists have spent the last eight years working around regulations. Their creativity, entrepreneurialism and determination brought progress. But imagine what might have been if central government had been on the front foot, proactively supporting stem-cell research in America during this "dark decade." Let's consign the dark days to history and collaborate for scientific advancement in the years ahead.
Nicola Sturgeon is Scotland"s deputy first minister and secretary for health and wellbeing. She is visiting California as part of Scotland Week 2009 and speaking at Stanford University on Tuesday. She wrote this article for the Mercury News.