A second hub of stem cell research has been opened in Brisbane,in Australia. It includes the first production facility for human embryonicstem cells. Research at this hub will include possible treatments for kidneyand blood related diseases by using cell lines from human embryos. 

The ASCC (Australian Stem Cell Centres), Brisbane, is part ofUniversity of Queensland and will link scientists from four world famousresearch institutes based in Brisbane. According to ASCC Chair Prof Vicki Sara,the state has outstanding facilities, scientific talent, first class institutesand a lifestyle which no other Australian state can match.

Scientists in ASCC, Brisbane are employed within dedicatedlaboratories of University of Queensland. Prof Melissa Little, the ChiefScientist of ASCC is also based here and will be providing the guidance andleadership to the other scientists. The ASCC also provides funding to sixexternal research entities within Brisbane focused on developing safe andtransfusible blood from different types of stem cells.

ASCC CEO, Stephen Livesey, says that the Brisbane hub isanother step forward towards development of a product to improve lives ofpatients suffering from blood-related diseases and also towards saving lives.Their other projects include the application of adult stem cell research toheart and kidney disease.

The research is already on into comparisons between variousstem cell types, normal tissue repair, effectiveness and safety of stem cellsand development of procedures for boosting cell numbers.

ASCC has its headquarters in Melbourne. Established in 2003,it was the first major hub of research facilities.