The British scientist that created Dolly the sheep, is to head a new centre commissioned to use stem cell research to develop treatments for various human diseases.
Professor Ian Wilmut has been officially announced as the Director of Edinburgh University’s new Centre for Regenerative Medicine. The report comes just days after the British government stated that it would increase funding to stem cell research by £50 million over the next two years.The centre is hoped to be a new focal-point for ground-breaking research in the UK and across the globe, stated Professor Wilmut, and it will be based at the site of Edinburgh’s Royal Infirmary at Little France.
The scientist commented, “This centre will provide a unique environment for world-class research with stem cells with the aim of developing therapies for diseases which in many cases do not have any treatment at the present time.”
Backing the announcement, the university’s head of medicine and veterinary medicine, Professor John Savill explained that he also had expectations that the centre would become a magnet for medical expertise.
Savill said, “We want to draw the very best young clinical and basic scientists from around the world to Scotland to work with our NHS partners and develop new approaches towards prevention and treatment of debilitating diseases affecting the nervous system, liver and other key organs.”
Controversial in the news over the past few years, stem cells have been hailed by scientists due to their ability to grow indefinitely, thereby producing “daughter cells” that can form various different tissue matter.Scientists have reported that the cells could lead to the discovery of new drugs which may be able to prevent inheritable diseases.
