First stem cell licence issued in UK to Newcastle's Centre for Life

Main Category: Stem Cell Research
Article Date: 12 Aug 2004 - 0:00 PDT

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Scientists based at Newcastle's Centre for Life have today been granted permission to carry out pioneering research to create stem cells from unfertilized human eggs.

This is the first time in the UK that such a license has been granted. It could help scientists understand how diseases develop and may lead to the development of new treatments for a range of diseases including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and diabetes.

The decision puts the UK at the forefront of global research in this very promising area of medicine and confirms North East England's status as one of the world's emerging centers for biomedical research.

The Newcastle Human Embryonic Stem Cell Group, part of the government sponsored Life Knowledge Park (LKP), is now launching a funding appeal to accelerate research. It is seeking private sector partners to help the UK stay ahead of international competition.

The group was established two years ago, in a joint venture involving the NHS, Newcastle University and the Centre for Life with funding from the Department of Health and the Department of Trade and Industry and from the regional development Agency, One NorthEast. Its remit is to explore the potential offered by stem cells to understand and develop possible new therapies for many serious and debilitating diseases.

In early 2003 it became one of the first two groups in the UK to derive human ES (embryonic stem) cells from spare IVF embryos. Two members of the group, Professor Alison Murdoch of the Newcastle NHS Fertility Centre and Dr Miodrag Stojkovic, a Reader in Stem Cell Biology and Embryology at Newcastle University, applied to the Human Embryology and Fertilisation Authority (HFEA) for the license to undertake 'somatic cell nuclear transfer', as it is known scientifically, in February 2004.

Professor Murdoch said of today's decision: "We're absolutely thrilled. The potential this area of research offers is immensely exciting and we are keen to take the work we've done so far to the next level. Since we submitted our application we have had overwhelming support from senior scientists and clinicians from all over the world and many letters from patients who may benefit from the research"

She continues, "This research should give valuable insight into the development of many diseases. Realistically, we have at least five years of further laboratory-based work to do before we move to clinical trials but this could be reduced if we receive additional funding which would allow us to increase the size of our team."

Dr Stojkovic added, "Newcastle is now the national frontrunner in this area of research but pressure is mounting in the United States for its scientists to be allowed to do this work. If we are to stay at the cutting edge, we must get further financial backing or, as has happened before, the UK will lose out."

Current funders of the research team include the regional development agency One NorthEast, Newcastle University and Newcastle's Centre for Life, which was established in 2000 by the Millennium Commission to foster advances in the life sciences. Its Chief Executive, Alastair Balls said, "Through the Centre for Life, we have created an environment that encourages collaboration between scientists such as Professor Murdoch and Dr Stojkovic. We provide laboratory space, equipment and a network of expertise and support." He added: "This is one of the most innovative cutting-edge endeavours to come out of Britain in the last ten years. We cannot underestimate the importance of staying ahead in a highly competitive field which may provide immense long term benefits for people worldwide and boost the British economy. We are extremely proud that this work is being done on our site."

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