In March, UCSD announced plans to partner with three other La Jolla-based research institutions—the Burnham Institute for Medical Research, The Scripps Research Institute and the Salk Institute—to establish an independent, non-profit consortium to pursue collaborations and seek funding for stem cell research.

“I believe strongly that this consortium will, in time, lead to significant scientific advances and life-saving results in the form of new therapies and cures,” said Marye Anne Fox, chancellor of UCSD. “In addition to the important research opportunities, the new avenues that will open up for education, training and translational medicine as a result of this consortium are exciting.”

The goals of the consortium include bringing scientists together from each institution to develop joint research and training programs; planning and building a jointly operated facility for consortium scientists; and pursuing funding to support these collaborative projects. It is the first collaboration of its kind in the State of California.

The W. M. Keck Foundation has already provided $1 million in start-up funding for the stem cell collaboration. The Foundation’s generous support will be utilized to purchase
sophisticated research equipment for the team of researchers.