Maryland Stem Cell Research Commission Announces 59 Projects for Funding
The Maryland Stem Cell Research Commission (Commission) has completed its
evaluation of the 147 applications in response to its three official
Requests for Applications (RFAs). The board of directors of the Maryland
Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO) reviewed the Commission's
recommendations today and approved 59 projects totaling $18.9 million in
funding through the Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund (MSCRF) under the
Maryland Stem Cell Research Act of 2006. Half of this year's grant awards
went to the Investigator-Initiated projects and the rest to the Exploratory
and Fellowship awards.
"The increased interest in Maryland's leading stem cell research program is
a testament to Maryland's status as a national leader in the life sciences
industry," said Governor Martin O'Malley. "Our stem cell research program
has become one of the most highly regarded programs in the country through
the work of talented and determined researchers and individuals who believe
that stem cells hold the future for medicinal breakthroughs and treatment. I
commend the Commission for a job well done and greatly look forward to the
advancements that will result from this funding."
The following ICE investigators received awards in the
investigator-initiated category:
Dr. Guo-li Ming
"Understanding functions of schizophrenia susceptibility genes using
pluripotent human stem cells"
Dr. Linzhao Cheng
"Derivation and use of human iPS cells for modeling acquired blood diseases"
Dr. Valina Dawson
"Neuroprotective pathways in iPS derived human neuronal cultures"
The following ICE fellows received awards in the fellowships category:
Dr. Woon Ryong Kim
"Application of patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cells for
understanding and therapy of the Huntington's disease"
Dr. Ju Young Kim
"Understanding the function of DISC1 interactome in regulating human neural
stem cells and their development"
Dr. Huimei Yu
"Characterization of Neural Defects of iPSCs from Trisomy Patients"
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