Australian Stem Cell Centre (ASCC)

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 provides 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.

The Australian Stem Cell Centre (ASCC) is the largest, most comprehensive stem cell research organisation in Australia.

The ASCC has organised its research into four Collaborative Streams and a Strategic Development Fund.

The Strategic Development Fund aims to develop and accelerate stem cell projects towards well-defined commercial, medical or academic goals. The ASCC supports six projects in this way, you can read about them here.

Collaborative Streams are an innovative and effective way of funding and enhancing stem cell research in Australia. Each stream consists of ‘Modules’ or individual research projects representing the wide diversity of internationally competitive stem cell research across Australia.