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Consortium for Stem Cell Therapies



New Center Creates Stem Cells and Hope for Cures

When state voters in November approved a constitutional amendment allowing embryonic stem cell research, University of Michigan scientists promised to put this new freedom to work finding new treatments and cures for disease.
In March, the A. Alfred Taubman Medical Research Institute took an important step to honor that pledge – forming the Consortium for Stem Cell Therapies.

This state-of-the-art facility, located at the U-M Medical School, will become a national leader in the derivation and distribution of stem cell lines.

“Embryonic stem cell research is the most important advancement in medical science since the advent of antibiotics a half century ago,” said A. Alfred Taubman, Founder and Chair of the Taubman Insitute. “The creation of this Consortium positions the state of Michigan at the forefront of this promising scientific and medical frontier.”

Sue O'Shea, co-director of the new Consortium, shows a stem cell image in her laboratory.
Photo courtesy of The Detroit News

The Consortium will be among the first centers in the country to derive stem cell lines linked to a database containing genetic and medical-history information about the eMichigan at the forefront of this promising scientific and medical frontier.”mbryo donors and their families. This database will enable researchers to pinpoint stem cells that carry the genes for specific diseases.  

“Scientists throughout the University of Michigan and the state of Michigan will benefit from this new stem cell center, said. Eva Feldman, M.D., Ph.D.,Director of the Taubman Institute.

“We will now be able to obtain stem cell lines, specifically targeted to understand the causes of specific diseases and to develop new therapies. Can you imagine what a powerful tool these stem cell lines will be?”

The co-directors of the stem cell center, Sue O’Shea and Gary Smith, are being appointed Taubman Institute Scientists for their roles at the Consortium.

Media Coverage of Consortium

The announcement of the Consortium for Stem Cell Therapies was big news not only locally but across the country. A news conference at U-M drew more than 25 members of the media attended. Many more interviews were conducted by phone. Stories appeared  on CBS News, the Wall Street Journal, Associated Press, five television channels and numerous newspapers and radio stations.

News release: U-M launches new embryonic stem cell research consortium