University of Southern California

STEM CELL RESEARCH at the University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles, California, is currently located at three sites: the main University Park campus; the Health Sciences campus, where USC's Keck School of Medicine and University Hospitals are located; and the USC—affili-ated Childrens Hospital Los Angeles. This area of research falls under the auspices of the Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine (CSCRM). The CSCRM has developed a comprehensive scientific program, which includes a Discovery Research Program, a Preclinical Program, and a Clinical Program. It has also received a tremendous infusion of funding with a major $25 million donation from Eli Broad to create a new stem cell and regenerative medicine center.

The CSCRM's Discovery Research Program focuses on embryonic stem cell biology and stem cell signaling in development and tissue repair. The Preclinical Program aims to integrate basic discoveries in stem cell biology into technology platforms to support stem cell expansion and the use of stem cells in the discovery of small—molecule and protein therapeutics. The scientific areas of study in this program include cell culture technology, chemical genomics, drug discovery, monoclonal antibodies for research and therapeutics, cell analytical methodology, disease models, and virology research.

The Clinical Program centers on the areas of sensory systems, cardiovascular system, liver/ pancreas, and hematology/oncology. The scientific program integrates research in the CSCRM with other departments and institutes at USC. A primary goal of that integration is to “vertically” incorporate research from the contributory basic science level through translational research and the development of patient therapies. USC's CSCRM is also involved in extensive collaboration with regional institutions including Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, House Ear Institute, City of Hope, the California Institute of Technology, and the University of California, Santa Barbara.

In February 2007, prominent Los Angeles philanthropist Eli Broad and his Broad Foundation donated $25 million to create the Broad Institute for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research at USC's Keck School of Medicine. Broad envisioned this center as the pivotal stem cell/biomedi—cal research hub on campus, involving scientists from the Health Science, University Park, and Childrens Hospital Los Angeles sites. Another goal is for this center to serve as a growth engine for the regional southern California development of biotechnology and stem cell—related businesses. Contingent on the receipt of a large facilities grant from the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine, construction of the Eli and Edythe Broad Institute for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research could begin as early as April 2008, with planned occupancy in April 2010. The center will provide 215,000 square feet of laboratory, scientific core, training, vivaria, and office space for basic and applied stem cell research. When completed, this facility will be the largest such stem cell—related research facility in California and one of the largest concentrations of this type of research endeavor in the world.

It is envisioned that interdisciplinary research teams, composed of scientists pursuing basic research in stem cell biology and working with colleagues from the California Institute of Technology and other regional scientific institutions, will work together in developing novel imaging, bioengineering, and nanotechnology applications for stem cell and regenerative medicine research. The Broad Institute stem cell scientists will also work to translate this basic research into new therapies for a wide variety of human diseases. The CSCRM, which will ultimately comprise 18 research groups, will occupy over half of the new facility.

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