At the helm of stem cell study

Susan Menning

The passage of Proposition 71 gives $3 billion in bonds over a

10-year period to fund stem cell research and facilities in the

state.

Sue Bryant, dean of biological sciences at UC Irvine and a leading

researcher in limb regeneration, is one of 29 members of the

Independent Citizens Oversight Committee that governs the stem cell

research institute approved by voters in the Nov. 2 election.

The commission also will establish best practices for the

California Institute of Regenerative Medicine, a virtual research

institute charged with the allocation of stem cell research funding.

“For the first time in the history of the world, cells that are

many times smaller than the period at the end of this sentence have

assumed a commanding role in science, health, politics and ethics, as

well as state and national legislation,” Bryant said.

“It is exciting to be in a position to fund research that holds

tremendous promise for people with debilitating diseases. This

initiative is not promising instant cures, but it is promising an

instant research focus on the capabilities of stem cells. Treatments

for intolerable diseases are closer to reality as more stem cell

research takes place.”

At UCI, active stem cell research programs are ongoing in several

areas -- the Institute for Brain Aging and Dementia, the Center for

the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, the Cancer Research

Institute and the Center for Immunology, to name just a few. Our

renowned faculty in the neurosciences, chemistry and pharmacology are

poised to explore the use of human embryonic stem cells as

therapeutic agents for both neurological and psychiatric disorders.

And UCI is developing a spinal cord clinical trial with human

embryonic stem cells that is anticipated to be the first such trial

performed in North America.

“The support by Californians of Prop. 71 will have a huge impact

-- the availability of funding will increase the amount of stem cell

research being conducted and accelerate its progress as well,” Bryant

said. “The future of medicine is in regenerative medicine -- in

assisting our bodies to heal themselves. The study of stem cells is

the first step along this road.”

Dean Bryant presents “Regeneration, Rejuvenation, Stem Cells” at

5:30 p.m. on March 17 in UCI’s Langson Library, as part of the UCI

Libraries Speaker Series.

The event is free and community members are encouraged to attend.

Reservations are required; call (949) 824-5300.

SPEAKERS TO ADDRESS

MEMORY, MORALITY

James McGaugh, founding director of UCI’s Center for the

Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, speaks on “Significance and

Remembrance: How Our Brains Make Lasting Memories” at a lunchtime

forum Wednesday.

The center’s research focuses on one of most challenging quests of

modern science: What are the complex processes that underlie our

ability to learn and remember?

On March 16, Kristen Monroe, professor of political science,

presents “The Hand of Compassion: A Discussion of Moral Choice During

the Holocaust.”

Monroe is director of the UCI Interdisciplinary Center for the

Scientific Study of Ethics and Morality, which explores the question:

What causes moral behavior?

Scholars at the interdisciplinary center study a wide range of

topics, including altruism, cooperation and moral psychology;

bioethics and the biochemistry of friendship and community; religion

and international security; and genes, personality and moral

responsibility.

Both events take place at 11:30 a.m. at the University Club. For

reservations, call (949) 824-7960.

BEALL CENTER PRESENTS

‘MUSIC BOT,’ FAMILY DAY

Jazz pianist Kei Akagi provides a demonstration of real-time

musical interaction between man and machines -- a collection of

robotic musical instruments designed by the League of Electronic

Musical Urban Robots.

The music is composed -- and the musically intelligent robots

programmed -- by music professor Christopher Dobrian. The free,

public event takes place at 6 p.m. on March 18 at the Beall Center

for Art and Technology. Seating is limited; for reservations, call

(949) 824-4339.

The Beall Center also presents “Family Day” from 2 to 4 p.m. on

March 19. Families with children 7 to 18 are invited to join League

of Electronic Musical Urban Robots for a day of art workshops, artist

talks, film screenings and special events. Visit

https://beallcenter.uci.edu for more.

Please stay in touch, and let us know how we can help you become

better connected with the top-ranked research university right here

in your backyard.

* SUSAN MENNING is assistant vice chancellor of communications at

UC Irvine. She can be reached at uciconnect@uci.edu.