First US Stem Cell Bank to Open in Wisconsin, page 1

The University of Wisconsin's WiCell Research Institute has recieved a 16 million dollar federal contract. This will enable WiCell to store and distribute embryonic stem cells over the next four years. There are 22 lines of embryonic stem cells available for research funding, all of which will be available at the new storage facility.

www.cnn.com
MADISON, Wisconsin (AP) -- A Wisconsin-based research group will run the nation's first embryonic stem cell bank under a four-year, $16 million federal contract, officials announced Monday.

The WiCell Research Institute, a nonprofit set up in 1999 to support stem cell research at the University of Wisconsin, will store and distribute the cells under a federal plan to reduce their cost.

The goal of the bank is to consolidate all lines of embryonic stem cells available for use in federally funded studies into one place, reducing the cost of the cells while allowing researchers to learn more about their properties.

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Any advancement or aide in stem cell research is an encouraging site. Even with federal funding restrictions that have been placed on embryonic stem cell research, this will allow for researchers easy access to the 22 lines that allow funding for research. Perhaps in time a big breakthrough in one of these lines will open up even more research oppurtunities.

[edit on 10/15/05 by FredT]