Georgia Tech to Offer Stem Cell Bio-manufacturing Program

Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta has received a $3 million grant from National Science Foundation (NSF) to develop engineering methods for stem cell production, in order to meet the anticipated demand for stem cells.

Stem cell research is destined to have a major impact on medical science in fields such as regenerative medicine, drug discovery and development, cell-based diagnostics, and cancer. However, the bio-process engineering required to manufacture stem cells in sufficient quantities for these diagnostic and therapeutic purposes has not been rigorously explored.

The award comes through the NSF’s Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship program. Ph.D. students in the Georgia Tech program will receive interdisciplinary educational training in the biology, engineering, enabling technologies, commercialization, and public policy related to stem cells. Their research efforts are expected to develop engineering methods that bridge the gap between basic discoveries made in stem cell biology and therapeutic stem cell-based technologies.