Stem cell board OKs $271M for 12 construction projects

by Ron Leuty of the San Francisco Business Times
May 7, 2008

California will spend $270.9 million to help build 12 stem cell research facilities that could bring scientists closer to stem cell treatments, cures and tests for diseases ranging from diabetes to Alzheimer's.

The board that oversees the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine -- the stem cell agency supported by a $3 billion voter-approved bond issue -- voted Wednesday morning to award grants for the projects.

That cash will combine with institutional contributions and philanthropy to construct $832 million in stem cell research facilities from Sacramento to San Diego.

In all, it is the largest-ever outlay for the construction of medical research facilities.

The decision, topping a process with its roots in President Bush's restrictions on federal stem cell research in August 2001, means that scientists will begin moving into labs within 30 months.

More importantly, stem cell research advocates say, the decision will attract 1400 stem cell researchers to California and move science closer to discovering more about cancers, diabetes, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and a plethora of other medical conditions, because the facilities will be unencumbered by the Bush administration restrictions.

Bob Klein, chairman of CIRM's governing board, said the 12 projects create a "portfolio of excellence" that is a substitute for lack of federal research funds. "This is the place it's going to happen," Klein said.

The 12 facilities:

Stanford University's $200 million, 200,000-square-foot Stanford Institute for Stem Cell biology and Regenerative Medicine will receive nearly $43.6 million in CIRM money.
A $94.5 million, 74,832-square-foot Institute for Regenerative Medicine at the Parnassus campus of the University of California, San Francisco. CIRM will provide $34.8 million toward the project.
The Li Ka Shing Center for Biomedical and Health Sciences at UC Berkeley. The center will be located in 59,600 square feet of the 200,000-square-foot building. CIRM will fund $20.2 million of the $78.6 million stem cell part of the project.
A 65,708-square-foot building at the Buck Institute for Age Research in Novato. CIRM will fund $20.5 million of the $70.1 million project.
Renovation of 54,200 square feet at UC Davis' Sacramento medical campus -- a $61.8 million project that will get $20.1 million in CIRM funds.
A $115.2 million, 130,907-square-foot facility planned by a consortium of institutions in the San Diego area: UC San Diego, the Burnham Institute, the Salk Institute and the Scripps Research Institute. CIRM will commit $43 million toward the project.
The Eli and Edyth Broad CIRM Center for Regenerative Medicine at the University of Southern California, a $82.6 million, 81,537-square-foot facility that will receive $29 million in CIRM funds.
A $60.5 million, 61,575-square-foot facility at UC Irvine. CIRM will provide $27.2 million.
The Broad Stem Cell Research Center, a $41.8 million, 34,587-square-foot project at UCLA. It will receive $19.8 million in CIRM funds.
A $12.9 million, 19,829-square-foot facility at UC Santa Cruz will receive $7.2 million in CIRM funds.
A "foundry" at UC Merced to custom design devices for single-cell analyses. The $7.5 million renovation of 8,180 square feet at the school's Atwater campus will receive $4.4 in CIRM funding.
Renovation of 16,581 square feet at UC Santa Barbara, a $6.4 million project that landed $3.2 million from CIRM.

CIRM President Alan Trounson said the facilities pulled together disparate resources and scientists to produce "a natural cauldron of excitement."

Stem cell research itself remains wrapped in controversy, mainly on religious grounds. Many opponents of embryonic stem cell research argue that it destroys life.

"There are no dark alleys or shadows in life for the one who walks in the light of god's love." Joseph P.Martino

BACK TO STRICTLY STEM CELL

HOME

MGM