Newcastle Science City

Areas of ExcellenceStem Cells & Regenerative Medicine

Stem Cells and Genetic Sciences offer the possibility of a completely new way of thinking in medicine. Conventional treatments for patients have been based on either surgery or drug therapy, treating conditions and illnesses that result largely from ageing. Stem cell science can help doctors predict and prevent illnesses long before they occur and the North East is rapidly becoming a world leader in the field.

Durham and Newcastle Universities have come together with their related NHS Trusts and a range of other partners to form the North East England Stem Cell Institute (NESCI). Their work looks at a range of stem cell types and scientists and clinicians are working together on developments that can be used in a real-life medical setting to transform lives.

Spin-out companies have already been created to develop the technologies and these are attracting industrial partners. These facilities will put the North East at the forefront of stem cell science nationally and internationally in stem cell biology and regenerative medicine, human genetics, reproductive medicine, drug discovery and biopharmaceutical bioprocessing.

Large elements of the work are built upon the success of the International Centre for Life, in Newcastle, which has brought together different disciplines of scientists and clinicians with ethicists, social scientists, public educators and commercialisation agents.

First Class Facilities

Nearly ten years after opening, The International Centre for Life, located in the heart of Newcastle is established as one of the most successful of the country’s 14 landmark Millennium projects.  Almost 500 people from over 30 countries work there.  

Partners in the Centre for Life include Newcastle University; the North East England Stem Cell Institute (NESCI); the NHS Newcastle Fertility Centre and the NHS Northern Genetics Service. Since 2000, teams based at the Centre for Life have earned worldwide headlines for advances in stem cell technology. These include;

Institute of Human Genetics

The Institute of Human Genetics (IHG) is a Research Institute of Newcastle University. This status was awarded in 2001 in recognition of the award to the Institute of the highest possible grading (5*) in the national Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) that year.

From a small existing Human Genetics department in the early 90’s, the IHG has expanded rapidly and now has over 30 academic staff including 15 Professors. The IHG is also home to the Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Northern Region Genetics Service, which delivers a comprehensive diagnostic, counselling and laboratory service to the three million people of North East England and North Cumbria.

The coming years will further extend the buildings and the organisation but the central concept, that of partnership between basic scientists and clinicians focussed on genetic aspects of medicine, will continue.

http://www.ncl.ac.uk/ihg/

Newcastle Fertility Centre at Life

Newcastle Fertility Centre was established in 1991 and has since developed and expanded and gained the prestigious status it holds today. The Centre moved from the RVI site in 1999 to the Bioscience Centre in the International Centre for Life.

The Centre is an NHS facility within the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and is linked with the Royal Victoria Infirmary. The Centre is also closely associated with the leading UK Medical School at Newcastle University and has active research and teaching programmes. The Centre primarily provides help and support for couples who have problems related to fertility.

http://www.newcastle-hospitals.org.uk/services/fertility-centre.aspx/

North East England Stem Cell Institute

The North East England Stem Cell Institute (NESCI) is a collaboration between Durham and Newcastle Universities, the Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and other partners, including the Centre for Life.

One of our primary aims is the development of new stem cell treatments and providing research tools for drug discovery. To do this, NESCI  has strong links with a range of academic, clinical, commercial and other partners across the region.

http://www.nesci.ac.uk/

Policy, Ethics and Life Science Research Institute

PEALS aims to research, inform and improve policy, professional practice and public participation in the life sciences. It promotes research and debate on the social and ethical aspects of genetics and other life sciences.

http://www.ncl.ac.uk/peals/

Northern Genetics Service

The main purpose of the Northern Genetics Service is to provide comprehensive and fully integrated clinical and laboratory services to the highest of standards that can help reduce the incidence of illnesses associated with genetic disease.

To achieve this, there is close interaction between the various sections of the service, with other regional centres around the country and also good communication between genetic services and other relevant clinical specialties. 

http://www.newcastle-hospitals.org.uk/directorates/northern-genetics-service

Life Bioscience Centre

The Life Bioscience Centre is a purpose built centre of 60,000 sq ft. providing accommodation for new and established biotechnology companies. The Incubator Suite is designed to allow start up and spin out companies to become established and realise potential commercial success. A shared laboratory facility is available for use of the incubator tenants. Advice and support is provided to assist new companies to grow.

Key Facts

  • Stem cell scientists, working at Durham University and the North East Stem Cell Institute (NESCI) have developed a more accurate way of identifying aggressive forms of bowel cancer, which it is hoped will  lead to better treatment and survival rates.
  • Newcastle Human Embryonic Stem Cell Group is one of only a few research units to be awarded a Human Fertilisation Authority licence to undertake somatic cell nuclear transfer.
  • The University of Newcastle's Institute of Human Genetics is one of Europe's largest human genetics research centres, with world-leading research into embryonic, germline and adult stem cells.
  • Through the activities of the North East Stem Cell Insititute (NESCI), the region takes a joined-up approach to stem cell R&D and commercialisation by collaborating with the Universities of Newcastle and Durham, the National Health Service (NHS) and regional industry.
  • North East Englnad's £10m Life Knowledge Park at the International Centre for Life, is one of only six UK genetic research centres aimed at fundamental improvements in human health.

Case Studies

Simple test which could revolutionise cancer treatment

Undergoing treatment can be a deeply disturbing experience for cancer patients, not helped by the often debilitating side-effects of the drugs or interventions being used.

Patients often have to put up with everything from invasive surgery to stomach cramps and their hair falling out as their doctors work to ensure their cancer has been defeated.

But what if there was a test that could tell specialists whether or not a person would respond to the drug in question? Providing doctors with the best possible information to help combat these diseases is what drives an project run by Newcastle company Biosignatures.

The company's work builds on existing research which has allowed doctors a better understanding of the way the cells and proteins of the body work.

Find out more at www.biosignatures.com

Searching for medical breakthroughs

Stem cell research offers major hopes for breakthroughs in human conditions and one of the organisations leading the way is the Institute of Human Genetics, based at the International Centre for Life in Newcastle.

A research Institute of Newcastle University, the Institute’s research includes identifying disease-causing genes and coming up with ways to treat and prevent illnesses.

Find out more on www.ncl.ac.uk/ihg.

Specialist baby unit leads the way

Imagine not being able to pick up your crying baby until you have scrubbed your hands clean for three minutes and put on a protective gown. For a small number of parents, that’s the reality of their lives because their children are highly vulnerable to infection.

Helping them is the Bubble Foundation, a specialist unit for children with a rare, inherited condition, which means they are born without an immune system.

A team of dedicated professionals in Newcastle has developed an international reputation for the way they care for children with Severe Combined Immune Deficiency Syndrome, or SCID. The only way of keeping the children safe from those infections is to care for them in a sterile bubble, which is what happens at the unit in Newcastle General Hospital. But not only is the team constantly improving the way they care for such children, it is also conducting extensive research into the causes and treatments of SCID.

Find our more at www.bubblefoundation.org.uk.