With California's new stem cell research fund expected to start issuing grants within months, faculty and administrators from across the campus have begun planning for an interdisciplinary research initiative, the Center for Regenerative Science and Therapies, to lead stem cell research at UC Davis.

"Our campus brings unique strengths to this exciting area of study and certainly plans to be a full participant in this unique opportunity to pursue stem cell research in California. The potential of this research for human health is impressive -- UC Davis will help make that potential a reality," said Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Virginia Hinshaw.

A Stem Cell Internal Advisory Committee was created in December to coordinate the development and implementation of the new center. Barry Klein, vice chancellor for research, was appointed chair and the vice chair is Frederick Meyers, chair of the Department of Internal Medicine.

The committee membership includes representatives from the School of Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Division of Biological Sciences and the California National Primate Research Center, as well as from the Office of Research and the Office of Resource Management and Planning.

A new Web site, "UC Davis Stem Cell Research," (www.research.ucdavis.edu/stemcell), is being developed. The site will provide updates, links to funding opportunities, policies, regulations and general information on stem cell research.

Identifying needed facilities

As well as planning for the Center for Regenerative Science and Therapies, the internal advisory committee will review and approve requests for primary facilities needed to conduct human embryonic stem cell research and complete a 10-year strategic plan that includes long-term infrastructure and resources. The committee will also develop a new seed grant program to support innovative stem cell research.

The center will likely need research facilities at the School of Medicine, especially for translational research; on the Davis campus, for basic research; and at the Primate Center for animal studies. Several sites for laboratory facilities have been identified on the Sacramento campus, including a medical center building near the corner of Stockton Boulevard and Broadway that is in the process of being renovated.

The campus is in the process of recruiting 12 faculty positions in the area of stem cell research, including currently vacant and new positions in the School of Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine and Division of Biological Sciences.

Tackling controversial issues

In developing the research plan, the committee will consider the bioethical issues that accompany stem cell research, which is opposed by some because it implies the destruction of an early-stage human embryo. They will also have to take into account the need for translational research that quickly moves lab discoveries into the clinic.

"With the synergy that UC Davis has between animal modeling and human clinical research, we are well poised to take a leading role in the development of new therapies. Basic science and clinical faculty will develop into productive teams that are necessary to move stem cell research forward to providing real therapies for people," Klein said.

"Bioethical concerns will be addressed by faculty who understand the rapidly changing science. Conceptually, stem cell research started in the 1950's and has been responsible for remarkable new therapies and insights into life renewal," said Meyers. "The communities and constituencies we serve expect us to combine the best in science with excellence in clinical care and with ethical procedures based on good clinical and scientific knowledge."

Two faculty planning sessions on stem cell research have been held to date, the first on Dec. 3 on the Davis campus and the second on Feb. 11 at the M.I.N.D. Institute in Sacramento. Each was attended by about 50 people.

Bringing faculty into work groups

The aim of the sessions was to form scientific workgroups to develop research proposals that could be eligible for Proposition 71 funding. As a result of these sessions, the committee has identified three priority areas for stem cell research: cancer and immunobiology; neuroscience and aging; and vascular, nutritional and metabolic diseases.

"The Center for Regenerative Science and Therapies represents a multidisciplinary initiative to engage investigators campuswide for a common goal: the development of cellular therapies for the treatment of human disease. This center will unify faculty and research programs across basic science and medical disciplines and highlight the depth and breadth of our campus," said Alice Tarantal, a professor of pediatrics and a member of the internal advisory committee.

With faculty at the Schools of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, Division of Biological Sciences, and the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences already conducting research relevant to stem cell biology, UC Davis has a unique research environment, said committee member James Murray, professor of animal science. "These attributes may well position UC Davis to be the best-suited California university to make significant contributions to the goals of the Proposition 71 initiative," he said.

Growth in stem cell research is a tremendous opportunity for all faculty, including Academic Federation researchers, to obtain funding and space for new programs, according to Catherine Vandevoort, adjunct professor of obstetrics and gynecology. The potential for funding will be greatest when scientists from various disciplines and all faculty titles collaborate on innovative projects that utilize the strengths of UC Davis, she said.

At a system-wide level, UC Davis is working with the Office of the President to identify issues likely to arise from the implementation of Proposition 71, including interfacing with federally funded programs and the need for new research facilities throughout the state.