Renowned Researcher Jeanne Loring Heads New Stem Cell Center at Scripps Research

Professor Jeanne Loring has been named founding director of the newly created Center for Regenerative Medicine at The Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, California.

Loring is an internationally recognized authority in the emerging field of stem cell research, which explores the potential of these cells to differentiate into various cell types that may be used to treat diseases and conditions such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's, spinal cord injury, stroke, burns, heart disease, diabetes, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis.

"The potential of stem cell research is vast," said Scripps Research President Richard A. Lerner, M.D., in announcing the creation of the new center. "It takes a scientist of Professor Loring's foresight, knowledge, and experience in basic and applied research to lead the institute's team to new discoveries that will significantly benefit human health."

"I am excited about the potential of this new center to push research in the field forward," said Loring. "I'm looking forward to growing the center in the Scripps Research traditions of cross-disciplinary collaboration and cutting-edge science."

Researchers at the Scripps Research Center for Regenerative Medicine will explore many aspects of stem cells, including embryonic, adult, and malignant cancer stem cells, from their basic biology to potential clinical applications in drug discovery, drug delivery, and cell therapy.

The new center's major mission is to provide infrastructure to support collaboration and strategic partnerships in human stem cell research and train the next generation of stem cell scientists. An intensive NIH-sponsored human embryonic stem cell laboratory course will be offered this fall, and the center will be the site of the San Diego area training course supported by the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine.

Loring has a B.S. in Molecular Biology from the University of Washington and a Ph.D. in Developmental Neurobiology from the University of Oregon. She served on the faculty of the University of California, Davis, and has held research and management positions at biotechnology companies including Hana Biologics, GenPharm International, Molecular Dynamics, and Incyte Genomics, and was founder and chief scientific officer of Arcos BioScience (now part of Novocell). She joined the faculty of the Burnham Institute for Medical Research as a principal investigator in January 2004 and was one of the principal architects of Burnham's successful human embryonic stem cell program. She joined The Scripps Research Institute last October.

For more information on Loring's research and activities, see the News&Views article "The Secret Life of Stem Cells."

Send comments to: mikaono[at]scripps.edu

"I am excited about the potential of this new center to push research in the field forward."

—Jeanne Loring