UC Davis receives $53 million in grants for stem cell research

UC Davis will receive grants totaling $53 million for stem cell research after a vote today by the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine awarding the money.

The grants are a major milestone for the university, which had received $73 million in past funding from the agency.

"We're here to bring this new era of medicine to patients," UC Davis stem cell program director Jan Nolta said.

Nolta will oversee the three grant projects for Huntington's disease, limb ischemia and osteoporosis. UC Davis researchers said they are close to finding effective treatments for the diseases.

Neurologist Dr. Vicki Wheelock, who will head the Huntington's project, said the grants wouldn't have been possible without the advocacy of patients and their families.

"They really rallied to secure the funding," she said. "This will be for the families."

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UC Davis receives $53 million in grants for stem cell research