President of California Institute for Regenerative Medicine paid a visit to GIBH

The president of California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), Dr. Alan Trounson, and two other associates paid a visit to GIBH on March 16th, 2011. The CTO at GIBH, Micky Tortorella, and the Deputy Director of South China Institute of Stem Cell & Regenerative, Dr. Lai Liangxue, welcomed the guests.

 Dr. Alan Trounson toured the stem cell laboratory and a panel discussion with the scientists of the stem cell institute ensued. During the meeting, Dr. Trounson elaborated the operation of CIRM, including its mechanism and granted programs. Dr. Miguel Esteban, from the stem cell institute introduced their current research and achievements with respect to the stem cell and regenerative medicine. Both sides agreed to the initiative to formulate a collaborating research.

 Afterwards, escorted by Dr. Lai Liangxue, the Deputy Mayor of Guangzhou Municipal Government Gong Erzhen and the Director of Guangzhou Science and Technology Bureau, Xie Xuening held talks with Dr. Trounson and his associates. Gong said that the government would fully support the prospected collaborating research with CIRM.

 CIRM is an independent institute in stem cell research. With its ample capital, it provides grants and loans for stem cell research and research facilities externally. According to statistics, the Governing Board of CIRM has been providing＄118.6 million in funding for 406 stem cell research programs and research facilities at 55 institutes. Furthermore, CIRM grants collaborating research foundations throughout 11 countries and districts, among which the Ministry of Science and Technology has signed a cooperative agreement with CIRM on stem cell research.