Officials at the University of Massachusetts Stem Cell Bank and Registry in Shrewsbury will explore collaborations with the United Kingdom’s Stem Cell Bank as part of an agreement signed today between the two organizations during Gov. Deval Patrick’s overseas trip to England.
The two stem cell banks have agreed to share best practices around characterization, production and distribution of stem cells. The two stem cell banks also have vowed to explore joint research projects that could secure research funds for both organizations.
Both stem cell banks produce human embryonic stem cell lines that are used for research and investigations into treatments for various diseases.
The UMass Stem Cell Bank and Registry began in 2008 with $8.9 million in support from the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center and is housed in a 15,000-square-foot facility in Shrewsbury.
Patrick returns to Boston on March 17 after a two-week trip that included stops in Israel.
