The National Institute of General Medical Sciences granted UW-Madison $8.9 million in early August to aid in stem-cell research.
A team of researchers at UW-Madison will use the grant to study how embryonic stem cells evolve into all other cells of the human body.
This is a very important grant to help Wisconsin progress farther in understanding stem-cell potential, which can then lead to new therapy for the human body,"" said Igor Slukvin, an assistant professor in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine.
UW-Madison is one of the leading universities in the study of stem cells and is one of only three organizations to receive a grant from NIGMS.
""Grants are awarded on a competitive basis; the NIGMS is a primary funder - is probably the largest federal funder of UW-Madison,"" said Terry Devitt, a university spokesperson.
A grant from a prestigious science institute assures a well-assisted opportunity for productive science research at UW-Madison.
""Any source of research funding is always most welcome, but NIGMS is the largest source of biomedical research funding in the world and uses a highly rigorous system of peer review to select the most meritorious research,"" UW-Madison chemistry professor Lloyd Smith said.
According to Smith, the grant will help with medical advancements of the human body and will define future possibilities in the medical field.
""All of the proposed research seeks to reveal mysteries of the functioning of stem cells that are not presently known or understood,"" Smith said. ""The improved understanding of stem cell biology that will be obtained through this work will drive our ability to apply stem cells to urgent problems in human health.""
Incoming Chancellor Biddy Martin said she is proud to begin working with a strong research university but wants to reinforce the importance of the arts.
""The University of Wisconsin-Madison is a research powerhouse in the sciences, a fact in which we should all take enormous pride '¦ However, the arts, humanities and social sciences are no less vital to a great university and a healthy society,"" she said. ""The liberal arts are the heart and soul of the university and must be adequately funded if we are to remain one of the highest-quality public universities in the world.""
