Life Technologies (formerly Invitrogen) was awarded a two-year grant of nearly $870,000. The company will focus on human embryonic stem cells to create the disease models and will develop accompanying protocols and reagents used for genetically engineering stem cells. These human models of disease could also be used to screen drug compounds and allow for a more relevant drug analysis.
Joydeep Goswami, vice president of primary and stem cell systems at Life Technologies, said: “We are honored to have been chosen as a recipient of this grant. Selection by this esteemed committee illustrates the caliber of our R&D capabilities.
“This will increase Life Technologies’s ability to provide our customers with better models for studying neurodegenerative diseases, which should eventually enable advances toward the development of improved treatment options.”