NY Gov. Paterson renews commitment to stem cell research in visit to Cold Spring Harbor ...(searcher. The discussion was held in Ha...)

The Governor remarked to the scientists present, "The work on stem cells has moved ahead so rapidly. Where we stand now, as reflected in your briefing today, is so palpably beyond where the science of stems cells was only three years ago. At that time the talk was mainly about how to grow stem cells. Now you are able to work with them and use them in complex research projects with potentially profound applications for human health. It makes me wonder, just a few years into this research, where we'll be in five or six years."

President Stillman concurred. "Stem cell research is one of the most rapidly changing fields in science today. And what is extraordinary is that the breakthroughs are coming from people who have brought expertise from other fields into this relatively new one." Stillman stressed the importance of sustaining healthy levels of support for basic research, which he said is among the chief factors "enabling great leaps forward, in this and other scientific fields."

CSHL has received over $2.3 million from New York State for several stem cell-related projects, as well as a special microscope and a training program for stem cell researchers. The Laboratory's overarching goal in stem cell work is to determine the molecular mechanisms regulating stem cell activity. This is deemed critical in the development of future therapies targeting these cells. While stem cell-directed therapy has great future potential in the treatment of human illnesses, research at CSHL at present does not involve human stem cells.

Stillman thanked Gov. Paterson for his visit. "It's quite extraordinary to be able to sit down and talk science with the governor of the state in which you work," he said, "and, I should add, a very knowledgeable one with a strong interest in
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