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Donation will create Canada's first library of human embryonic stem cells
29 Jun 2007 -
Canada will have its first human embryonic stem cell library based at McMaster University thanks to a multi-million-dollar commitment this morning from a Hamilton businessman. The library is one component in a $50-million gift from David Braley that will transform family medicine, and forge new discoveries within the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine to treat such illnesses as cancer, Alzheimer's and spinal cord injuries, as well as common illnesses like heart disease and diabetes.
"This commitment to the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine is an investment in education and health care for the people of Hamilton, Ontario and Canada," said David Braley. "I see this as seed money that should be amplified by our Government and industry to continue to build the medical school, the Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University and the Hamilton region.
"I am enthusiastic about the commitment to human embryonic stem cells research," said Braley. "It is an investment in our top scientists who will help develop cures for terrible illnesses.
"Working with human embryonic stem cells is prohibitively difficult, so there are very few places in the world with the trained scientists, experience and the specialized infrastructure to overcome the barriers to success. McMaster is one of those places," said Mick Bhatia, scientific director of the McMaster Stem Cell and Cancer Research Institute. "This is a distinct investment opportunity, and David Braley sees our vision of creating a platform for significant innovations in stem cell based tissue repair and novel therapeutics to eradicate human cancer."
Canada's first human embryonic stem cell library will receive $15-million. This will allow scientists in the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine to dramatically amplify their research investigating the potential of human embryonic stem cells. This initiative will be led by stem cell biologist, Mick Bhatia. Partnering with the Bhatia team of scientists will be Dr. David Andrews and his biochemistry group. This library will serve as a platform for stem cell study and therapeutics and has already attracted industry support.
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