WiCell - an private not-for-profit - is working to fill the gaps in American medical research that exist as a result of restrictive Bush-administration policies.  In a move which WSCN executive director Ed Fallone called “wise and necessary” WiCell is offering stem-cell lines that the federal government won’t.  These include newly discovered reprogrammed skin cells, and, perhaps, embryonic stem cells beyond the twenty-one lines authorized to receive federal funding.

Jim Doyle will receive the National Leadership award at next months World Stem Cell Summit in Madison.  The Genetic Policy Institute praised Doyle, calling him “a stalwart and courageous supporter of stem cell research and proponent of Wisconsin’s strategic goal to invest $750 million in biotechnology and stem cell research.”

Governor Doyle has been a great supporter of science, and of Wisconsin’s economy, we should all thank him.  In 2008 let’s give him a legislature that more than ever before will stand with him in supporting life saving research.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison received federal grants from the National Institutes of Health and the National Institute of General Medical science for research on embryonic and adult stem cells.  The $8.9 million dollar grant will fund three projects lead by John Coon, Igor Slukvin, Junying Yu, and stem-cell pioneer James Thompson.  UW is especially lucky to get this grant as the federal government has been very stingy with the allocation of dollars for embryonic stem cell research.  Wisconsin’s position as a stem-cell leader will be further cemented by this grant, but we can’t rely on federal funding, the state has to play its role too.