NEW YORK (GenomeWeb News) – Invitrogen has signed a non-binding letter of intent to collaborate with the International Regulome Consortium on the development of stem cell research tools, the firms announced yesterday at the Biotechnology Industry Organization annual meeting in San Diego.
Under terms of the pact, Invitrogen will contribute unspecified services and technologies to help IRC researchers map the “genetic circuit board” that regulates how stem cells give rise to specialized cells, such as neurons.
The IRC was formed in 2004 with seed funding from the Government of Ontario, Canada. It currently includes 58 researchers at 34 institutions in 12 countries.
“Invitrogen brings tremendous expertise and strength in stem cell biology to this important international consortium,” said IRC Scientific Director Michael Rudnicki, who also is a senior scientist at the Ottawa Health Research Institute. “Without question, this participation will accelerate the IRC’s research program.”