Scientists are on the verge of a revolution

Jan 24 2009 By Sam Wood, The Journal

The Region: At the forefront

THE North East is at the forefront of stem cell research in the UK thanks to the expertise in the region.

Durham University is a key partner in the North East England Stem Cell Institute (NESCI), and employs more than 50 stem cell researchers. Newcastle University and the Centre for Life, in Newcastle are also members of NESCI.

Working alongside Prof Todd Marder and Dr Stefan Przyborski at Durham are Dr Andrew Whiting and Dr Paul Hunt and at Newcastle University is Dr Chris Redfearn.

There is also a team of postgraduates who work on the new techniques.

Prof Marder said: "We have the expertise in the region and we work well with NESCI. Particularly in Durham we have a very good atmosphere and research culture. We are looking at a unique aspect in the development of stem cells and that involves lots of collaboration between disciplines, which is something that works very well at Durham."

To boost stem cell research in the region a £4m research centre was opened at the Centre for Life in Newcastle in 2007.

And in June last year a new £3m research centre was opened at Durham University’s science campus.

Professor Chris Hutchison, co-director of NESCI, said as the new building was opened last year: "These facilities position Durham at the forefront of research in adult stem cells but most importantly will ensure we can take our work to the clinic and to the market within a much shorter timescale than was possible before."

A discovery by researchers at Durham University in August last year could lead to improvements in the survival rates of people who suffer from bowel cancer.