Newcastle and Durham sign stem cell agreement
Stem cell scientists at Newcastle and Durham Universities have cemented their relationship with the signing of a formal Memorandum of Agreement establishing the North-East England Stem Cell Institute (NESCI).
The recent signing ceremony, pictured below, took place at Lumley Castle, Chester le Street, where. Professors Christopher Higgins (right), Vice-Chancellor of Durham University and Chris Brink, Vice-Chancellor of Newcastle University, signed the Agreement in front of an invited audience. Stem cell scientists from both Universities were joined by support staff who have helped bring the Institute into existence, and guests.
In their speeches, both Vice-Chancellors stressed the invaluable support from a number of organisations, but particularly the Newcastle-upon-Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, who are the main clinical partner with the Institute, and One NorthEast, who have provided important and substantial 'capacity building' financial support. Margaret Fay, chair of ONE, introduced the Vice-Chancellors to the audience and acted as master of ceremony for the event.
Scientists in the two universities have been collaborating in stem cell research for a number of years now and have used the umbrella title of NESCI for two years. Nonetheless, the formal establishment of a joint Institute and the associated support from a senior level at both universities is another significant indication of the desire of both of the North East's research-intensive universities to work together in pursuit of scientific excellence and regional economic development.
