University of Michigan has expanded its efforts in stem cell science with the creation of a new interdisciplinary centre for stem cell research, to be based at the Life Sciences Institute.

The centre for stem cell biology will be established with $10.5 million in funding provided by the U-M Medical School, the Life Sciences Institute and the Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience Institute (MBNI). The U-M stem cell centre will emphasize using stem cell science to answer the most pressing questions of fundamental human biology, such as how specific tissues in the body are formed and how cells communicate with one another.

"Stem cell science is one of the most important areas in biomedical research today," Coleman said adding, "It has already yielded key insights into the elusive biology of human development and has great potential for increasing our understanding of devastating human diseases like diabetes, cancer, Parkinson's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases."

U-M scientists have made notable advances in many areas of stem cell science, especially involving tissue-specific and cancer stem cells. The U-M Medical School is home to one of only three NIH-funded human embryonic stem cell research centres in the United States. The new centre will expand current areas of research strength by using stem cells to pursue basic biological questions, said a release here.