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Regenerative Medicine Center of Economic Excellence
University collaborators: Medical University of South Carolina (fiscal agent) Clemson University (collaborative partner) University of South Carolina (collaborative partner)
About the CoEE: Regenerative medicine is the regeneration of tissue and organs for the purpose of repairing, replacing, and maintaining organ function. The Regenerative Medicine CoEE is a collaboration among all three senior research universities. It combines statewide expertise in developmental biology, adult stem cell technology, and tissue engineering. Goals for this CoEE include (a) fostering basic research in genetics, proteogenomics, developmental biology, cell biology, and physiology of stem cells; (b) translating basic research into novel therapies for genetic and degenerative disorders; (c) collaborating with the private sector to develop business innovation research grants that can lead to partnerships with the business community and the U.S. government; and (d) establishing pre-doctoral and postdoctoral training programs in stem cell technology, developmental biology, biomaterials, and tissue engineering. The most significant scientific accomplishments thus far for this CoEE are in the field of bioprinting, the assembly of living 3D human tissues and organs using rapid prototyping technology. In addition, advances in the areas of bioengineering, wound healing, vascular biology, orthopedic materials science, and cardiac development have led to an effort to construct a biofabricated blood vessel network. To date, the CoEE has received in hand more than $2 million in research funding for areas such as cardiac tissue engineering, implanted-associated infection, and battlefield skeletal injury. This CoEE will play a major role in the $20 million statewide NSF grant awarded in July 2009 for tissue and organ biofabrication. Two research contract partnerships were developed this past year with Synthes USA. A start-up company, FirstString, was created in 2006, which features new wound repair technology; it has received investments and grants of more than $5 million.
Funding level: CoEE endowed chair:
Regenerative Medicine CoEE chair Dr. Martin Morad (left) discusses his research with Mr. Ed Sellers (right), president and CEO of BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina. In April 2008, the BlueCross BlueShield Foundation of South Carolina announced a $5 million non-state match to the Regenerative Medicine CoEE.
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