Initiative for Stem Cell,
Developmental Biology Reproductive
and Regenerative Medicine
Among the recent notable advances in biomedicine, none stir the imagination and raise hope more than those in regenerative medicine — the science of marshaling the body's own cellular resources for restoring tissue and function. In only a few short years, research breakthroughs in the Ansary Stem Cell Institute at Weill Cornell have positioned us as global leaders in a key discipline in regenerative medicine — stem cell biology.
In 2007, in a landmark discovery, the Ansary Stem Cell Institute identified in adult mice a reliable source of stem cells and converted them into various tissue types. More recently, scientists at Weill Cornell have developed a new technique and described a novel mechanism for turning human embryonic and pluripotent stem cells into plentiful, functional endothelial cells, which are critical to the formation of blood vessels. This research lays the groundwork for developing new treatments for cardiovascular disease and other conditions. These discoveries herald the time when medical care will be transformed by regenerative medicine — healing through medically induced tissue and organ regeneration and repair.
“We may soon be able to rely on stem cells to enhance brain recovery after stroke, accelerate wound healing in diabetics and regenerate heart muscle after a heart attack. We are only beginning to understand the promise that comes from stem cell research — the possibilities are endless.”
— Shahin Rafii, M.D., Arthur B. Belfer Professor in Genetic Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College and Director of the Ansary Stem Cell Institute
Scientists at the Ansary Stem Cell Institute are conducting groundbreaking research that shows promise for developing new therapies to fight cancer.
Read about the establishment of the Ansary Stem Cell Institute.
Learn more about stem cell research and cancer.
For more information on stem cell research and initiatives contact Lucille Ferraro, Campaign Director, at 646–317–7387, or development@med.cornell.edu.
