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New Haven, Conn., March 23, 2009 – Stem cell research in Connecticut is active and multifaceted, according to a review conducted by CURE (Connecticut United for Research Excellence), the state bioscience organization, on the eve of StemCONN 09, the international stem cell symposium taking place in New Haven March 23-24.

In the wake of its pioneering legislation in 2005 committing $100 million over 10 years to human embryonic and adult stem cell research, Connecticut has funded a variety of research, including projects aimed at building stem cell research infrastructure, projects to improve understanding of stem cells’ unique ability to self-renew and differentiate, and projects that take early steps toward utilizing stem cells to develop therapies for specific diseases.

“Bioscience is a driver of Connecticut’s current economy, and stem cell research is a driver of Connecticut’s current bioscience,” said Paul Pescatello, president and CEO of CURE. “The State’s decision to make a proactive commitment to stem cell research is proving to have been very wise indeed.”

At StemCONN 09, Connecticut stem cell researchers are joining other top scientists from around the United States and the globe to report the latest research findings. The gathering is one of the first in the United States since President Obama reversed limitations on Federal support of stem cell research.

Connecticut research universities have used state funding to build up stem cell research infrastructure. Yale has established the Yale Stem Cell Center in New Haven. The University of Connecticut and Wesleyan University have established a Stem Cell Core, and UConn is establishing a Stem Cell Institute at a new facility in Farmington. UConn scientists at the Stem Cell Core recently generated two new human stem cell lines.

Its funding program and encouraging attitude toward stem cell research have enabled Connecticut to attract top stem cell researchers and promising junior scientists to the State.

Although at this stage most research is still basic and being carried out in the universities, at least one Connecticut company, CellDesign of New Haven, has begun to market products based on stem cell technology.

When Governor M. Jodi Rell signed Connecticut’s stem cell bill into law on June 15, 2005, Connecticut became just the third state in the nation to provide public funding in support of human embryonic and adult stem cell research. The act established advisory and peer review committees, with the Commissioner of Public Health as chair. Commissioner J. Robert Galvin is among the speakers at StemCONN 09.

Download PDF to continue with detailed listing of stem cell projects.

CURE (http://www.curenet.org) is a statewide coalition of over 100 educational and research institutions, biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies and other supporting businesses. It is dedicated to promoting the growth and increasing public understanding of biomedical research and science in Connecticut.