CAMDEN, NJ – The Coriell Institute for Medical Research, a recognized leader in cutting-edge scientific study, has received a $1M grant award from the William G. Rohrer Charitable Foundation.
Structured as a five-year allotment, the grant is concentrated on Coriell's induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell program, a pioneering area of research enabling scientists to convert skin and blood cells into stem cells that can then be transformed into nearly any cell type in the body. For example, skin cells from a patient diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease can be turned into stem cells and then reprogrammed into neurons, resulting in Alzheimer's-diseased neurons. By permitting the examination of Alzheimer's cells in a petri dish, this exciting field has the potential to lend clarity to the mechanisms of disease, is crucial to refining more efficient drug assays, and has the potential to inform the establishment of therapeutic alternatives.
"As a result of cultivating the largest-available iPS cell resource available to the international research community, Coriell has empowered scientific discovery on a global scale," says Dr. Michael Christman, the Institute's President and CEO. "This promising stem cell realm is poised to dramatically advance our comprehension of disease progression and treatment. With the generous consideration of the William G. Rohrer Charitable Foundation, we are able to continue pushing this science forward."
The award is designated to reinforce Coriell's iPS cell infrastructure, which coordinates the cultivation, storage and distribution of more than 77 cell lines, including models of type 1 diabetes, muscular dystrophy, Huntington's disease and more. Bolstering the Institute's state-of-the-art laboratories with innovative technology ensures Coriell's successful management of this invaluable research tool.
"For more than six decades, Coriell Institute has served as a beacon of world-class research while simultaneously enhancing the profile of Southern New Jersey," says Linda Rohrer, Trustee of the Foundation. "My father believed in the importance of supporting novel endeavors. As each new breakthrough moves us closer to defeating serious disease, it's never been more important to rally in support of a healthier future."
About Coriell Institute
Coriell Institute for Medical Research is an independent, non-profit biomedical research center based in Camden, New Jersey. Founded in 1953, the Institute is dedicated to unlocking the genetic code of human disease. Coriell is a pioneer in genomics, examining the utility of genetic information in clinical care through the Coriell Personalized Medicine Collaborative (CPMC) research study (cpmc.coriell.org). The Institute is also exploring the promise of induced pluripotent stem cells – stem cells created from skin or blood – and their role in disease research and drug discovery. Additionally, Coriell continues to be recognized as the world's leading biobank, distributing biological samples and offering custom research and biobanking services to scientists around the globe. For more information, visit www.coriell.org or follow @Coriell_Science on Twitter.
