As of 1 July 2011 the ASCC is closed. This page is archived and no longer being updated.
The Australian Stem Cell Centre (ASCC) was founded to capitalise on Australia’s significant strengths in the general field of stem cell research.
The ASCC was selected in 2002, in a competitive bid process, as Australia’s Biotechnology Centre of Excellence (BCE), an initiative of the Australian Government as part of its Backing Australia’s Ability policy. The Centre provided a unique opportunity for stem cell researchers to deliver outcomes that will benefit the wider Australian biotechnology industry and ultimately contribute innovative solutions to human health challenges.
The Centre was established with the financial and in-kind support of institutions (‘Stakeholders’). The current voting Members, who retain ultimate oversight of the Centre, are: Monash University, University of Queensland, Howard Florey Institute and University of Adelaide. The additional Stakeholder institutes are: University of Melbourne, Baker IDI, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute and Mater Medical Research Institute.
The ASCC is governed by a Board of Directors with independent scientific oversight and support from an eminent Scientific Advisory Board.
Total funding of $100 million was awarded to the ASCC by the Australian Government and is administered by the Australian Research Council and the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research. To complement Australian Government funding, the State Government of Victoria's Science Technology and Innovation program awarded the Australian Stem Cell Centre a further $11 million to support some key infrastructure in Victoria.
Together the ASCC and partnering organisations supported a critical mass of Australian stem cell research. The ASCC funded research at leading institutes and universities in Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and New South Wales with the major hubs of activity centred in Victoria and Queensland. By providing stem cell specific funding, the Centre in its nine years of operation supported in excess of 200 researchers and more than 70 students in over 30 research projects across Australia. This focused approach to fostering an emerging scientific field ensured that Australia grew and retained a significant intellectual mass and international presence in the stem cell arena.
On 30 June 2011 the ASCC’s funding from the Australian Government came to an end at which time ASCC ceased operations and commenced winding up the organisation.
Following closure, the achievements of the Centre and our legacy remain in:
- strong collaborations formed under our research programs
- arrangements for support for 30 plus PhD students whose funds were supplemented to their candidature
- a Stem Cell Foundation to support future stem cell activities
- a cadre of skilled, well trained research scientists, including more than 100 PhD students
- excellent support activities, including StemCore, a stem cell facility to supply cells, training, and specialised research support
- a communications and public education legacy ensuring that the Australian public are well informed of the current state of research, its long term potential, and the risks of premature and unregulated adoption of the technology
- substantial contribution to knowledge of stem cell research through publication
- well managed Intellectual Property (IP) that is catalogued and valued for maximum value and attractiveness to the stakeholders.