Dr. Doug Ethell, an Assistant Professor in the Division of Biomedical Sciences, learned today that his proposal entitled “ES-Derived Cells for the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease” will be funded by the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM). This is the fourth UCR proposal to be funded by CIRM. SEED proposals were previously received by Dr. Michael Pirrung and Franck Sauer, in addition to an award that will fund the creation of a new Stem Cell Core Facility on our campus.

Dr. Ethell is one of 22 young scientists who will receive New Faculty Awards from CIRM this spring. These awards are intended to help launch young investigators into productive careers in stem cell research. Over $56 million dollars was awarded to scientists at various institutions in California as part of the New Faculty Program.

Dr. Ethell’s research program will leverage the power of embryonic stem (ES) cells by engineering dendritic cells that express a recombinant transgene that will specifically activate Aβ-specific T cells. The latter cells may be able to deplete beta-amyloid and thereby improve cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s disease.

Dr. Ethell is a member of the Stem Cell Center at UCR which has over 30 faculty engaged in or entering stem cell research.

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