Australian cardinal announces award for adult-stem-cell researchers

Published: 2007-12-20

SYDNEY, Australia (CNS) -- Cardinal George Pell of Sydney has announced that his archdiocese will be awarding $100,000 (US$86,000) to support adult-stem-cell research by an Adelaide-based research team. The grant was won by Stan Gronthos, an associate professor with the Mesenchymal Stem Cell Group at the Institute of Medical and Veterinary Science in Adelaide, and Dr. Simon Koblar, whose team at the University of Adelaide is investigating the capacity of stem cells derived from human dental tissue to change into neuronal cells. Cardinal Pell said the research had the potential to be used in treating people who have suffered a stroke. "This is exactly the sort of ethical, innovative and life-enhancing research that the grant was established to promote," said Cardinal Pell, noting that 10 "highly competitive" applications from stem-cell researchers across Australia were received for this year's grant judging.

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