New large-scale initiative on stem cell research

The Research Council of Norway has established a new Stem Cell Research Programme with the aim of finding treatment for seriously and chronically ill patients.

The objective of the new programme is to develop and enhance expertise within basic and clinical research on somatic and embryonic stem cells.

The key funding instrument of the programme will be researcher-initiated projects within the following priority thematic areas:

• basic processes related to the growth and differentiation of stem cells
• cultivating stem cells or stem cell lines for therapeutic applications
• developing stem cell protocols for repairing damaged tissue or organs, and
• utilising stem cells in the development and testing of new prescriptive medicines and in toxicological  screening.

The programme period is stipulated to 2008-2012 and deadline for the programme's first call for proposals is 15 October 2008.

Focus on collaboration

Stem cell research includes a wide variety of disciplines and encompasses basic as well as applied approaches. In the new programme, great importance will therefore be attached to collaborative projects, particularly to projects that include basic as well as clinical research and to projects that includes national and international network-building.  Other areas of focus for the programme include the incorporation of relevant gender perspectives as well as the ethical aspects of research on and treatment with stem cells.

National centre for stem cell research

As part of the research programme a national centre for stem cell research is to be established under the auspices of the South-Eastern Norway Regional Health Authority. The centre will organise meetings, seminars and courses and will be given special responsibility for dissemination activities.