>> Gov. Crist recommends $20-million for stem cell research

Tampa, FL (Jan. 31, 2007) -- Outside USF Health's Center for Aging and Brain Repair, Gov. Charlie Crist announced a proposed $20-million competitive grant program to fund stem cell research involving stem cells derived from adult tissue, umbilical cord blood, amniotic fluid and other nonembryonic sources. The program is part of the Governor's 2007-08 budget recommendations.

"This is a historic first step to move this type of research forward in the state of Florida, and it starts here at the University of South Florida," said Crist, who toured the new laboratories of the Center for Aging and Brain Repair before his announcement.

USF Health was selected as the location for the announcement because researchers here have already made significant strides in advancing cutting-edge stem cell research.  Scientists at the Center are working on cultivating cell therapies for devastating diseases such as Parkinson's, stroke, ALS and Alzheimer's and spinal cord injuries. The Center recently began work with a British firm to study a newly developed neural stem cell that would be transplanted into stroke patients.

"Our team has been responsible for several breakthroughs, including being among the first to show that adult bone marrow and umbilical cord blood stem cells can actually become neural cells and repair brain disorders," said Paul R. Sanberg, PhD, DSc, professor and director of the Center.

"Adult stem cells have already successfully been used to treat blood disorders, cancers and other diseases. Now we're moving the front line forward. We need to translate these stem cells into actual treatments – and find ways to leverage these therapies into products and economic development for the state of Florida."

Dr. Sanberg and Stephen K. Klasko, MD, MBA, USF Health Vice President and College of Medicine Dean, joined Gov. Crist, Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp, and several legislators who endorsed the grant program for the announcement.

"I am committed to making Florida an international leader in innovative research to improve people's quality of life, and stem cell research has the potential to relieve the pain and suffering of millions of people living with degenerative diseases," Crist said.

Under Crist's recommendation, Florida would join seven other states taking the lead in supporting stem cell research: California, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts and New Jersey.  The grant program would support research within the parameters of federal law, including adult stem cells, umbilical cord blood and placental stem cells, amniotic fluid stem cells and embryonic stem cells from lines that are permissible for use under federal law. Any Florida research institution could apply for the grants, which would be awarded by a statewide commission appointed by the governor and legislative leaders and include scientists.

- USF Health -

USF Health is a partnership of the University of South Florida's colleges of medicine, nursing, and public health; the schools of basic biomedical sciences and physical therapy & rehabilitation sciences; and the USF Physicians Group. It is a partnership dedicated to the promise of creating a new model of health and health care. One of the nation's top 63 public research universities as designated by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, USF received more than $310 million in research contracts and grants last year. It is ranked by the National Science Foundation as one of the nation's fastest growing universities for federal research and development expenditures.