Stem cell research facility opens at UC Merced

MERCED

February 23, 2011 11:56am     

•  Expands research into stem cells

•  ‘Will contribute to developing a biotech industry in the region’

 A state-of-the-art Stem Cell Instrumentation Foundry was opened Wednesday at the University of California, Merced.

The foundry, housed on the first floor of the Science and Engineering Building, will expand the research capabilities of UC Merced's stem cell faculty members and serve as a resource for researchers throughout the state.

The foundry will allow them to manipulate and study individual stem cells with highly specialized instruments to better understand how stem cells make decisions — the goal being to use the cells for regenerative medicine, which could combat diseases such as cancer, heart disease, heart disease and neural degeneration.

"This facility is a testament to the caliber of the campus' research and is also an investment in the state's economy," says Vice Chancellor for Research Sam Traina. "The stem cell advancements, coupled with entrepreneurs ready to take the new knowledge to market, will contribute to developing a biotech industry in the region."

A $4.36 million grant from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine in 2008 funded construction, and the support of the community equipped the 3,905-square-foot facility, which includes two ultra-clean rooms that prevent dust and other particles from interfering with the research. Ed and Jeanne Kashian of Fresno gave $100,000 to support the foundry. A microscopy room in the facility will be named in their honor.

The lab will offer custom lab-on-a-chip devices that can deliver genes and chemicals to single cells at a time, allowing for more efficient and less expensive studies. The lab is an interdisciplinary facility that will allow UC Merced faculty to work together to solve some of society's most challenging health problems.