Stem cell research in Australia and New Zealand

Around 350 delegates from Australia and New Zealand attended the 2007 ISSCR Conference in Cairns.

The NSW Stem Cell Network has 550 members. Its membership is for anyone interested in stem cell research. They organise workshops, information sessions, talks and provide information about stem cells on their website and meet several times a year. Funding comes from sponsorship (companies mostly) and the State Office of Science and Medical Research.

The Australian Government funded Australian Stem Cell Centre (ASCC) funds 16 research projects involving 170 scientests, 32 of which are employees (ASCC Annual Report, 2006). They fund stem cell research with commercial potential. They have funded travel scholarships for postgraduate students and Research Fellows.

No similar organisation exists in New Zealand