Contact Details:

Centre for Stem Cell Research
Ms Leanne Srpek
Manager
University of Adelaide
AUSTRALIA, SA, 5005
Email

Telephone: +61 8 8303 4482
Facsimile: +61 8 8303 4099

News

2008

May | June | July | August | September

September

Centre for Stem Cell Research Launched

The Centre was officially launched by the Vice Chancellor of the University of Adelaide, Professor James McWha at the National Wine Centre of Australia this week. In attendance were Member of the Legislative Council Hon Ian Hunter MLC, National Cloning Bill Representative Ms Natasha Stott Despoja, Mr Andrew Stanley Director of the Strategic Planning & Policy Branch of SA Health, and many others from organisations such as the Leukaemia Foundation, the Heart Foundation and The Ethics Centre of SA.

Professor McWha shared the University's vision of strengthening its reputation as a Great Research University, by providing support for excellent areas of research within the University. Professor McWha stated "This new Centre with undoubtably help put South Australian researchers at the forefront of stem cell research in Australia"

L-R: Centre Directors Assoc Prof Mark Nottle & Assoc Prof Stan Gronthos, Centre Clinical Advisor Dr Simon Koblar, and Cystic Fibrosis Group Leader Dr David Parsons. Drs Koblar and Parsons and Assoc Prof Gronthos presented each of the research highlights at the launch.

L-R: Hon Ian Hunter MLC, Director of the Research Centre for Reproductive Health
Prof Rob Norman, Director of Research (Lyell McEwin Hospital) Assoc Prof Vicki Clifton, Vice Chancellor Prof James McWha, Deputy Vice Chancellor Prof Mike Brooks.

New stem cell centre gives hope for stroke damage

Tuesday, 16 September 2008

Researchers within the University of Adelaide's new Centre for Stem Cell Research are aiming by the end of this year to show repair in stroke-damaged brains using stem cells taken from adult teeth.

The world-leading research using dental pulp stem cells from extracted human teeth and stroke-affected rat brain tissue will be outlined as part of the launch today (Tuesday 16 September) of the Centre for Stem Cell Research.

The focus of the new Centre will be on turning novel basic research into potential life-saving treatments and cures for serious conditions and diseases.

The Centre will draw together almost 100 research scientists and 80 research students from 18 research groups based at the University of Adelaide, the Women's and Children's Hospital, the Institute of Medical and Veterinary Sciences (IMVS), Hanson Institute and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

University of Adelaide Vice-Chancellor and President Professor James McWha said the new Centre would help put South Australian researchers at the forefront of stem cell research in Australia.

"The members of the Centre undertake internationally recognised and awarded research on areas such as the isolation of adult and cord blood stem cells, clinical applications including potential cures for stroke damage and cardiac repair, and novel approaches to diseases such as cystic fibrosis and leukaemia," said Professor McWha.

Centre Director and University of Adelaide Principal Research Fellow, Associate Professor Mark Nottle, said: "The focus of the Centre is on translating basic research into clinical and commercial outcomes through collaboration between members and with external partners."

The stroke research project is a collaboration between Dr Simon Koblar, University of Adelaide, and Associate Professor Stan Gronthos, IMVS and Hanson Institute. Last week they started injecting adult dental pulp stem cells into stroke-damaged rat brains and should have preliminary results on therapeutic outcomes by the end of the year.

"Stroke is the leading cause of disability in Australia with 270,000 Australians left with the residue of strokes every year," said Dr Koblar.

"Even if all we can do is get someone's hand function to improve that would be a magnificent advance."

Dental pulp stem cells are highly promising as precursors of replacement neurons (brain cells) because they are easily accessible, can be taken from the patient needing treatment, and they have similar properties to cranial neural crest cells that normally make brain cells and other cranial tissues.

The launch of the Centre for Stem Cell Research takes place at 3pm at the National Wine Centre on Tuesday 16 September.

The Centre's main aims are to:

undertake and foster world-class stem cell research;
establish and maintain collaborative links in stem cell research within Australia and internationally;
provide higher degree and research training opportunities;
to build public awareness of stem cell research in South Australia.

The Centre will provide Early Career Research Fellowships to attract and retain the brightest young minds to Adelaide, and to continue to build the already substantial critical mass of stem cell researchers within Adelaide. Initial funding from the Fellowships has come from the University and Bellberry Limited, a not-for-profit company that manages the only private human research ethics committees in Australia.

August

The Australian Features the Centre & Early Career Research Fellowship

The Centre has been highlighted for its world-leading research & training opportunities in The Australian Careers Supplement.
Read the full story>> (with thanks to the Australian)
Read more about and apply for the Fellowship>>

Miss our Honours, Masters and PhD Information Session?

There's still plenty of opportunities to find out more about the projects on offer at the Centre.
>>Download our 2009 guide

We will be at the AusBiotech BioCareers Night on Wednesday the 10th of September at the German Club, 233 Flinders St, Adelaide. Please visit the following link for more information and to register:
>>AusBiotech Biocareers Night

July

Honours, Masters and PhD Information Session, Thursday July 24, and The University of Adelaide Postgraduate Information Night, Friday August 1.

Our information sessions were a great success, with over 60 student attending the Centre's inaugural Information day, with many more at the University's Information Night.

>>Download the flyer

For more information, please contact Leanne Srpek or call us 8303 4482.


Centre for Stem Cell Research information session	University of Adelaide Postgraduate information session

May

Applications for the Inaugural Centre for Stem Cell Fellowship Open

A centrepiece initiative of the Centre for Stem Cell Research is an Early Career Research Fellowship. The purpose of the Fellowship is to attract and retain the best research minds to South Australia, working in the area of stem cell research.

The Fellowship enables a researcher to be employed on a project at the Centre with one or more of the member groups for a period of three years for 100k per annum. During their residency, the ECR will be supported and trained to a level where they will be of a research strength capable of continuing on to a successful independent research career.