Stem Cell Initiatives

The availability of human embryonic stem cells (HESC) for federally funded research affords a unique opportunity for investigators to use these cells to address fundamental research questions of central interest to NIGMS. In June 2002, NIGMS hosted a Workshop on the Basic Biology of Mammalian Stem Cells, in part to better understand the unique properties of embryonic stem cells and to consider how these cells might be exploited as a model system to advance the study of fundamental research problems. As a result of that workshop, NIGMS has announced several initiatives to encourage and facilitate basic research involving HESC. Below are links to the announcements and results of those initiatives, workshop reports, and other HESC resources.