University of California Irvine scientists win grants
Blindness, Huntington's disease and traumatic brain injuries
IRVINE, Calif.—UC Irvine scientists today won $9.35 million in grants to work on stem cell treatments for blindness, Huntington's disease and traumatic brain injuries.
The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine awarded the grants to Dr. Henry Klassen, Leslie M. Thompson, Brian Cummings and Aileen Anderson, who are members of the university's Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center, according to the university.
The organization gave 19 similar grants worth $67 million to a dozen institutions across the state.
UCI's scientists will work on stem cell treatments for retinitis pigmentosa, a genetic condition that leads to blindness, Huntington's disease, which affects muscle coordination and dementia, and serious brain injuries.
"I am delighted that (The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine) has made these awards to my colleagues,'' said Peter Donovan, director of UCI's stem cell research center. "It speaks to the breadth of outstanding stem cell research at UC Irvine.''
LOS ANGELES, Calif.—Researchers at UCLA and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center were awarded about $5.6 million in grants today aimed at funding efforts to remove technological barriers to moving stem-cell research projects into clinical trials.
The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine awarded nearly $33 million in grants to 19 researchers across the state. CIRM was established in November 2004 as the state's stem cell agency, thanks to voters' passage of Proposition 71.
PASADENA, Calif.—A Caltech professor was named as the recipient of the National Medal of Science, the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government on scientists.
Amnon Yariv, a professor of applied physics and electrical engineering, will receive the award, along with 10 others, during a ceremony at the White House later this year.
“The extraordinary accomplishments of these scientists, engineers and inventors are a testament to American industry and ingenuity,” President Barack Obama said.
The Justice Department recently moved to block a court ruling that prevents use of government funds for embryonic stem cell use. The lower-court decision that bars the use of publicly funded stem cell work was a defeat for President Barack Obama’s administration, which quickly vowed to appeal. Research aimed at combating spinal cord injuries, Parkinson’s disease, and other ailments were in danger of being stopped as the ruling prevails.
LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center researchers are testing a computer-driven system aimed at predicting rising intracranial pressure in patients with traumatic brain injuries, it was announced today.
Girls do do science, and the women from the Spelman College robotics team brought their Spelbots to Washington Preparatory High School last Friday to strut their stuff. Above from left, Micaela Hunter, Tyler Davis, Re’Kieya Ward, Ronique Young and Daria Jordan, discuss what it’s like to be the first all-female, all African American team to qualify and compete in international robotics competitions in places like Japan.
