Discusses Wisconsin’s Expanding Role in the Global Stem Cell Industry
LONDON – Governor Jim Doyle today met with stem cell expert Dr. Stephen Minger to discuss Wisconsin’s increasing role in the global stem cell industry, the state’s deepening relationship with United Kingdom stem cell leaders, and to promote the 2008 World Stem Cell Summit, which Madison will host in September.
“Wisconsin is a worldwide leader in stem cell research. By reaching out to international leaders and biotechnology companies, we will expand this status, as well as bring investments and jobs to Wisconsin,” Governor Doyle said. “In September our progress will be on display when visionaries like Dr. Minger will visit Madison from across the globe for the 2008 World Stem Cell Summit.”
Dr. Minger was part of the King’s College team that was the first U.K. group to successfully grow stem cells in the U.K. in 2003. He’s considered an expert in the areas of stem cell biology, stem cell research ethics, central nervous system repair, cell therapy and regenerative medicine.
Since taking office, Governor Doyle has vastly expanded the state’s investment in regenerative medicine and stem cell technologies to capture 10 percent of the market by 2015. He also launched a $750 million initiative to develop stem cell research and biotechnology in Wisconsin. The centerpiece of this effort is the construction of the Institutes for Discovery in Madison, featuring public and private research facilities for interdisciplinary research and greater collaboration with industry on the UW-Madison campus. Additionally, Wisconsin’s WiCell was selected as the nation’s first and only National Stem Cell Bank by the National Institutes of Health in 2005.
In March of this year, Governor Doyle announced that Madison will host the World Stem Cell Summit on September 22 – 23, 2008, bringing together premier researchers, advocates, investors, and other industry leaders to advance stem cell research and the promising technologies that will save lives.
The World Stem Cell Summit comes to Wisconsin on the 10th anniversary of the breakthroughs of Dr. James Thomson and other UW-Madison researchers who became the first to successfully isolate and cultivate an embryonic stem cell line in 1998.
Governor Doyle is visiting Ireland and the United Kingdom to build relationships with business and government officials and discuss Wisconsin’s leadership in stem cell research and addressing climate change.
