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• This initiative aims to accelerate the generation of specific cell types from stem cells, potentially advancing new disease treatments.
• By identifying combinations of transcription factors, the team aims to reduce the time and complexity required to produce heart, brain and other cell types from stem cells for research and potential therapies.
• This collaboration highlights a commitment to both scientific progress and strengthening BC’s life sciences ecosystem.
Stem cells possess the unique ability to develop into other types of cells in the human body. This makes them a valuable tool for medical research and potential treatments. However, the process of guiding stem cells to differentiate into specific cell types, such as heart, brain or liver cells, can be time-consuming and complex.
To address this challenge, UBC researchers, supported by Genome BC and in-kind support from STEMCELL, are investigating a new way to use proteins called “transcription factors,” which act as molecular switches, to control how cells develop. The research team aims to significantly reduce the time required to generate specific cell types by identifying the optimal combination of transcription factors.
"This research has the potential to streamline the development of new therapies for a range of diseases," said Dr. Nozomu Yachie, lead researcher from UBC’s School of Biomedical Engineering. "By accelerating the process of generating specific cell types, we can expedite the discovery and testing of new treatments."
STEMCELL, a leading provider of cell culture media and reagents, plans to translate the findings of this research into innovative products that will enable scientists worldwide to advance stem cell research and develop new therapies.
Genome BC's support of this project underscores its commitment to fostering innovation in life sciences and health research in British Columbia. By facilitating collaborations between academia and industry, Genome BC aims to drive scientific discovery and improve human health.
QUOTES
"Genome BC is thrilled to support this collaborative project, which can potentially advance stem cell research in ways that will directly benefit therapeutic development. Speeding up the time it takes to generate specific cell types would be a valuable asset to the scientific community and help drive innovations for some of our most pressing medical challenges."
Dr. Federica Di Palma, Chief Scientific Officer and VP of Research and Innovation, Genome BC
"This partnership with Genome BC and UBC demonstrates STEMCELL’s unwavering commitment to advancing groundbreaking discoveries through collaborations with academic institutions and other members of the life sciences community. STEMCELL’s goal is to create new products and technologies that accelerate stem cell research to enable scientists to develop new treatments for cancer and a variety of diseases. We are excited about the potential cutting-edge outcomes of this project and the significant impacts they are sure to have on advancing research and helping patients here in British Columbia and around the world."
Dr. Sharon Louis, Senior Vice President, Research and Development, STEMCELL Technologies
About Genome British Columbia
Genome BC (genomebc.ca) is a not-for-profit organization that has advanced genomics research and innovation for nearly 25 years, growing a world-class life sciences sector in BC and delivering sustainable benefits for British Columbia, Canada and beyond. Genome BC has attracted over $1 billion in direct co-investment to the province, which has contributed to funding more than 550 genomics research and innovation projects. These initiatives enhance healthcare and address environmental and natural resource challenges, improving the lives of British Columbians. Genome BC also integrates genomics into society by supporting responsible research and innovation and fostering an understanding and appreciation of the life sciences among educators, students and the public.
About UBC
The University of British Columbia (ubc.ca) is a global centre for research and teaching, consistently ranked among the top public universities in the world. Since 1915, UBC’s entrepreneurial spirit has embraced innovation and challenged the status quo. UBC encourages its students, staff and faculty to challenge convention, lead discovery and explore new ways of learning. At UBC, bold thinking is given a place to develop into ideas that can change the world.
About STEMCELL Technologies
STEMCELL Technologies (stemcell.com) is a privately owned, Vancouver-based biotechnology company that helps power leading-edge life science research around the world. Driven by our love of science and passion for quality, we are a company of Scientists Helping Scientists standing by our customers to provide the outstanding products, technical support, and training they need to advance their research. Scientists performing stem cell, immunology, cancer, regenerative medicine, and cellular therapy research are among those who rely on our cell culture media, cell separation products, instruments, accessory products, and services. Through our many regional offices, as well as our distribution centers in Vancouver, Seattle, Grenoble, and Singapore, we deliver our innovative, specialized products to more than 100 countries. STEMCELL is proud to be an anchor company in British Columbia and the largest biotechnology employer in Canada.
Contacts:
Brad Lyle - Genome British Columbia
P: 778-999-8195 - E: blyle[.]genomebc.ca.
Brett Goldhawk - UBC Faculty of Medicine
P: 778.952.7858 - E: Brett.goldhawk[.]ubc.ca.
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public.relations[.]stemcell.com 
