UCI receives $3.9M gift for stem-cell program upgrades

UC Irvine, which has netted a number of grants and donations in recent years for its stem cell research program, got another one Tuesday, as the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine awarded the school $3.9 million to upgrade facilities and train scientists.

With the latest grant, the institute has given a total of $17.5 million to UCI’s Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center. The center, run by Hans Keirstead and Peter Donovan, is considered one of the finest of its kind in America. Sen. Barbara Boxer toured the center last week.

The institute gave out more than $50 million in its latest batch of grants. With the funds, UCI plans to create more laboratory space, purchase new equipment and lengthen instructional courses for scientists learning about stem cells.

“We are honored to be chosen for this funding, which will allow us to enhance our already top-notch facility and popular training course,” Donovan said in a release. “Modern facilities and trained scientists are key to developing future stem cell therapies.”

— Michael Miller