Chinese Academy of Sciences
The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) is a leading academic institution and a comprehensive research and development center for natural science, technological science and high-tech innovation in China. Our mission is to conduct research in basic and technological sciences; to undertake nationwide integrated surveys on natural resources and ecological environment; to provide the country with scientific data and advice for governmental decision-making, and to undertake government-assigned projects with regard to key S&T problems in the process of social and economic development; to initiate personnel training; and to promote China's high-tech enterprises by its active involvement in these areas.
The CAS has an annual research budget of US $1.4 billion, with US $ 20 million dedictated towards stem cell research.
Stem cell strategy
The stem cell strategy of the CAS is to establish human (normal and diseases) stem cell banks, which includes ES, NTES and iPS cells, as well as performing preclinical trials with Primate models. Involved in this are the CAS-Tianjin stem cell and regenerative medicine centre, Peking University stem cell centre and Shanghai institute of stem cell research.
Recent research achievements of the CAS
1, Generation and Characterization of Rabbit Embryonic Stem Cells, which may serve as a good cellular model for human disease models (http://www.StemCells.com/cgi/content/full/25/2/481)
2, Derivation of human embryonic stem cell lines from parthenogenetic blastocysts. Establishment of human parthenogenetic ESC lines will help to provide an important tool for studying epigenetic effects in ESCs as well as for future therapeutic interventions in a clinical setting (http://www.nature.com/cr/journal/v17/n12/pdf/cr2007102a.pdf, http://www.nature.com/cr/journal/v17/n12/pdf/cr200797a.pdf).
3, Direct generation of ES-like cells from unmodified mouse embryonic fibroblasts by Oct4/Sox2/Myc/Klf4, in which a simple protocol to generate iPS cells from unmodified mouse embryonic fibroblasts was described. (http://www.nature.com/cr/journal/v17/n11/pdf/cr200792a.pdf
Stem cell networks within China
The following stem cell banks and networks operate within China:
- Committee of National stem cell and tissue engineering research
- The National Basic Research Program (also called 973 Program)
http://www.973.gov.cn/English/Index.aspx - Hi-TECH Desearch and Development Program of China
http://www.863.org.cn/english/index.html
Other major funders of stem cell research within China
- Ministry of Science and technology (http://www.most.gov.cn)
- National Natural Science Foundation of China (http://www.nsfc.gov.cn)
- Ministry of Education of China (http://www.moe.gov.cn)
