PRESS RELEASE: Toronto Foundation Donates $5 million To Stem Cell Research: Gift Attracts Leading Scientist From California

[Murray Charters <mcharters@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Canada NewsWire

Toronto foundation donates $5 million to stem cell research: Gift
attracts leading scientist from California

TORONTO, May 13 /CNW/ - Canadian stem cell research got a significant
boost today with the announcement of a $5 million gift from the
Krembil Foundation to establish the Krembil Centre for Stem Cell
Biology at Robarts Research Institute in London, Ont.

Already a Canadian leader in stem cell biology, Robarts has
construction under way on the 7,000 sq. ft. Krembil Centre, set to
open later this year as part of the Institute's seven-storey $29.5
million building expansion. It will house three new laboratory
facilities for flow cytometry, molecular pathology and stem cell
culture.

Group director Dr. Mick Bhatia, who holds a Canada Research Chair in
Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, is now also supported as
the Krembil Chair in Stem Cell Biology. As well, the Institute has
recruited another leading stem cell scientist, Dr. Melissa Carpenter
from the San Francisco Bay area, to join the Robarts team.

"For this research to really move forward it requires an
understanding of fundamental processes in stem cell biology, and
Robarts has a proven track record in building a program of excellent
research in this area," said Dr. Carpenter, former Director of Stem
Cell Biology at Geron Corp., a Bay-area biotech company that
collaborates widely with research institutes and universities
worldwide in developing stem cell technology. "At Robarts, there is
talent across so many disciplines - transplantation, immunology and
imaging - and having access to that under one roof will definitely
help accelerate our research."

Part of the Krembil Foundation's mandate is to support world-class
research that has the possibility to make a significant difference in
peoples lives. "I am sure everyone has heard of stem cells and their
exciting potential," said Foundation President Mark Krembil. "It is
this potential, along with Dr. Bhatia's scientific skills and his
drive and enthusiasm, that helped convince the Krembil Foundation
that this was the right place to make a donation."

Dr. Mark Poznansky, President and Scientific Director of Robarts,
said the Krembil gift affirms Robarts' position as a leader in
emerging and promising areas of science - and it continues an ongoing
commitment to reversing the "brain drain". "This is really an
opportunity for us to accelerate our work in the areas of diabetes,
heart disease and
neuro-degenerative disorders," Dr. Poznansky said. "It's extremely
encouraging to see a private foundation with the strength and vision
to bring about this kind of investment in science. And with the
recruitment of Dr. Carpenter, we've found an excellent, experienced
addition to our stem cell biology team."

-30-

For further information: Linda Quattrin, Robarts Director of
Communications, at (519) 318-5601.

SOURCE: Canada NewsWire


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