Stem Cells

Scotland’s Stem Cell Industry

The cloning of Dolly the Sheep at the Roslin Institute in Edinburgh, Scotland is one of the defining scientific breakthroughs of the last century. This pioneering tradition continues in Scotland with ground-breaking, internationally-acclaimed work in stem cells and regenerative medicine.

As a global leader in stem cell research, Scotland can provide international partners with access to world-class researchers, government support, clinical research, a skilled workforce, and a bustling academic research community that is breaking new ground in stem cell biology every day.

A Foundation for Scientific Discovery

Scotland is the ideal location in which to conduct stem cell research. The Nation boasts a powerful life science research and technology base, which includes more that 500 organisations and more that 26,000 employees.

Scotland also hosts a significant multi-national presence in stem cell research and manufacturing, such as CXR Biosciences, Invitrogen, Angel Biotechnology and Geron Corporation. These companies are supported by globally recognised research, industrial technology and universities, all with well developed networks and links to industry.

• Scotland has established centres of excellence in medicine, genetics and cloning technology and a supportive legislative framework for the use of stem cells;
• Scotland houses approximately 21% of the UK’s biotech companies and is the fastest growing region for start-ups;
• Edinburgh is home to Europe’s largest and most highly-regarded stem cell research community, with two key centres of excellence. The Centre for Regenerative Medicine is based at the Centre for Biomedical Research and is headed by Prof. Ian Wilmut (creator of “Dolly”). The Institute for Stem Cell Research (ISCR) is currently the lead contractor for a €12 million FP6 project to create a European consortium for stem cell research;
• In August 2005, the ISCR researchers announced the creation of the world’s first “pure” human brain stem cells in volume;

The support from government for stem cell research was underlined by the establishment in 2003 of the UK Stem Cell Bank (www.ukstemcellbank.org.uk) - a vital resource for stem cell research as well as developing important safeguards for handling and storing of cell lines. This is the world’s first Stem Cell Bank of its type.

World Class Research

More medical research is conducted per capita in Scotland than anywhere else in Europe. Edinburgh, a major centre for genomics and bioinformatics research, has one of the largest concentrations of clinical scientists and researchers within the U.K. working on human stem cells and related clinical applications. Through advanced research led by these globally respected stem cell experts, Scotland is poised to lead the way in biomedical applications of cell biology.

Recently the Centre for Regenerative Medicine was formed at the new $1bn Centre for Biomedical Research (CBR) in Edinburgh. The CBR combines an 870-bed, state-of-the-art teaching hospital, the University of Edinburgh’s world-renowned Medical School and Research Institute and a 100-acre science park development. Professor Ian Wilmut, creator of Dolly the sheep and member of SSCN Advisory Group, will head this new centre, which has capabilities in both basic research and its translation into clinical reality.

Dr Paul De Sousa, formerly of Roslin Institute, has also relocated to the University of Edinburgh where he will be instrumental in developing good manufacturing practice (GMP) procedures for human embryonic stem cell derivation at the University of Edinburgh. In the autumn of 2005, Dr De Sousa was successful in creating human embryos through virgin conception (i.e. parthenotes). Dr De Sousa was also granted a human-cloning license along with Professor Wilmut by the Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority (HFEA).

Paving the Future of Stem Cell Science

Scotland has an excellent output of undergraduates and postgraduates who are trained in cell biology. This provides Scotland with a ready pool of skilled workers.

This fact, in combination with a supportive regulatory and funding environment, has helped Edinburgh become home to one of the largest concentrations of clinical scientists and researchers within the UK working on human stem cells and related clinical applications.

Eighty percent of the entire life sciences industry is within a 50-mile radius of three of Scotland’s main cities – Edinburgh, Glasgow and Dundee - providing easy access to the country’s major stem cell and life science laboratories.

• Edinburgh is highlighted in the Dec 2006 Report of the UK Stem Cell Initiative, which has been strongly supported by the Government, with $80M extra research funding committed over the next two years.
• The Queens Institute for Medical Research, part of the University of Edinburgh, is one of the biggest inter-disciplinary research facilities in Europe. Housed at Edinburgh’s new Centre for Biomedical Research, this $100 million facility opened in July 2005 and houses 650 researchers in cell biology.