Advanced therapies

Our mission is to provide standards, controls and research to underpin the clinical application of advanced therapies - gene therapy, stem cell therapy and tissue engineering.

The Division consists of three groups: the development of adeno-associated viral vectors for gene therapy led by Dr Yuan Zhao; the production of genomic reference materials and cell supply led by Dr Ross Hawkins; and the UK Stem Cell Bank (UKSCB), headed by Dr Elsa Abranches. The UKSCB, which is hosted by the Division is funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC), and is also participating in the European Bank for induced pluripotent Stem Cells (iPS). Their aim is to standardise banking of ES and iPS cells, to supply quality-controlled cell lines and to develop validated differentiation protocols.