The UK’s first two human embryonic stem cell lines, developed separately by researchers at King’s College London and the Centre for Life in Newcastle, are to be deposited in the UK Stem Cell Bank. The deposit coincides with the official opening of the Bank by Health Minister, Lord Warner, today (Wednesday 19 May 2004).
Stem cells offer a potentially revolutionary way to repair diseased and damaged body tissues, replacing them with healthy new cells. But a huge amount of research is needed to understand exactly how they work and how their potential can be harnessed for treatments for conditions such as diabetes, cancer, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.
The Bank, the world’s first of its type, is funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC) and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC). Hosted by the National Institute for Biological Standards and Control (NIBSC), it is responsible for storing, characterising and supplying ethically approved, quality controlled stem cell lines for research and ultimately for treatment.
The cell lines are derived from stem cells which continue to multiply and reproduce themselves indefinitely. The Bank will hold stem cell lines derived originally from embryonic, fetal and adult tissues. Applications to deposit stem cell lines in the Bank or to access banked stem cell lines must be reviewed and authorised by a high level Steering Committee chaired by Lord Naren Patel.