Launch of national research programme "Stem cells and regenerative medicine" (NRP 63)

Press release from Swiss National Research Programm 63 on Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine

Stem cells show great promise in fighting chronic illnesses. What is still unclear is just how these cells work. The NRP 63 programme recently launched in Switzerland seeks to find a solid basis for medical applications in the future.

Without stem cells, wounds would not heal. Blood, skin and other tissue would not be able to regenerate either. Without these biological "all-rounders", there would be no origin for life – or way to survive.

The research of these cells is one of the most exciting fields in biology today. Each month impressive results are published, new doors opened and old ones closed. A great deal of hope is being vested in these cells: Stem cells are not only expected to explain how humans, animals and plants grow; they are also expected to help find cures for illnesses such as Parkinson’s disease or type 1 diabetes.

However, the great pressure placed upon researchers to push forward the boundaries of treatments as quickly as possible also has inherent dangers: for example, that of carrying out clinical tests prematurely without fully understanding the effect of stem cells on the human body. The Swiss National Research Programme "Stem cells and regenerative medicine" (NRP 63) is being launched against this backdrop. The goal of the selected basic research projects is simply to better understand how stem cells work. The NRP 63 hopes to make its contribution to the laying of solid groundwork for future medical applications. In addition, stem cell research is to be promoted in Switzerland and young talents trained in this field.

From wound healing to brain tumours

The NRP 63 comprises a total of 12 projects. These cover a broad range of topics in the field of stem cell biology. Research using adult human stem cells as well as embryonic and adult stem cells from animals (fruit flies, mice, zebra fish) is performed.

One research team examines stem cells to understand better how they help heal wounds, while another tries to discover how to prevent stem cells from developing into brain tumours after a stem cell transplant. Another project looks at how, after a sperm cell and egg cell unite, the fertilized egg cell, which is a new stem cell, is created and which factors control this process. Finally, another group works on creating a sort of catalogue of the various stem cell types in the brain.

The research projects focus on stem cells in various organs and tissues: in the skin, the nose, cells in the immune system as well as those needed for the regeneration of heart muscles, blood vessels or insulin-producing cells. One project will be concerned with the legal and ethical problems involved with blood stem cell donations.

A green light at various institutions

Participating research groups are from various academic institutions in Basel (four projects), Bern (one), Geneva (one), Lausanne (two) and Zurich (four). The NRP 63 has a financial network of CHF 10 million at its disposal. The research projects began on 1 March 2010 and will extend into 2013. Interested parties can stay informed about the progress of the projects by subscribing to an electronic newsletter. To sign up, go to www.nfp63.ch.