Danish Center for Stem Cell Research
The Danish Centre for Stem Cell Research (DASC) was established 1 April 2002, based on a 5 year grant from the Danish Research Agency through the Medical Research Council, and co-financed by the involved parties. DASC is organized as a "centre without walls", consisting of 9 research groups located at the universities of Aalborg, Southern Denmark (Odense) and Copenhagen, Odense University Hospital, NsGene A/S and Hagedorn Research Institute.
DASC is devoted to the study of so-called "adult" stem cells, derived from already formed adult tissue developing fetal tissue and umbilical blood.
Focus is basis and applied research on stem cells with the potential of becoming
- insulin producing cells
- brain cells and in particular dopaminergic nerves
- liver cells
- cartilage, bone and connective tissue cells, and
- skeletal muscle cells.
Vision
DASC is envisioned as
- A multi disciplinary research centre with a durable and leading position in the forefront of Danish basic and applied stem cell research.
- A key promoter of national, Nordic and international research collaboration on stem cells and cell therapy.
- A key player in public and political debates on stem cell and cell therapy.
