Stem cell researchers advocate for continued state funding

On Monday, February 5th, Associated Medical Schools of New York hosted the NYSTEM legislative briefing in Albany.  The briefing, which was co-sponsored by Senator Kemp Hannon and Assemblyman Richard Gottfried, allowed stem cell researchers to share the results of New York's decade of investment in their work and advocate for continued funding for the New York State Stem Cell Science program. Among these researchers were CUIMC’s own Dr. Emmanuelle Passegue, Director of the Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, and Dr. Kam Leong, Professor of Biomedical Engineering.

The New York State Stem Cell Science program, a $600 million initiative, began in 2007 and has helped New York's research labs remain competitive nationally, creating new jobs and tax revenue and advancing potentially historic medical research. New York has invested over $350 million for research projects at 39 institutions throughout the state.

Advocates of the program recognize that it fills a gap between the early-stage research frequently funded by the National Institutes of Health and work that attracts funding from venture capital and biotechnology firms. With continued state funding, stem cell research may lead to advances in finding cures for diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, bone disease and diabetes.