Partners: University of Newcastle upon Tyne (UNEW)

Institute of Human Genetics

The University of Newcastle upon Tyne's 5**-rated Institute of Human Genetics (IHG) is one of four research institutes based within the Faculty of Medical Sciences. It is accommodated together with the NHS Northern Genetics Service within a modern building opened in August 2001 as part of the International Centre for Life. Thanks to a series of major infrastructural investments the IHG is very well equipped for carrying out molecular and cell biology based research.

North East England Stem Cell Institute (NESCI)

North East England Stem Cell Institute (NESCI) is a collaboration between Durham and Newcastle Universities, the Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and other partners, including the Centre for Life in Newcastle. One of our primary aims is the development of new stem cell treatments and providing research tools for drug discovery. Our Focus in ESNATS will be establishment of in vitro gametogenesis systems based on embryonic stem cells for germ cell toxicity screening.

Key staff involved in the project

Karim Nayernia, Prof. (until M24), Chair of Stem Cell Biology, Prof. Karim Nayernia has been working with germ cells and germline stem cells for over 15 years. Beginning with studies on genetic basis of male infertility and later with molecular and cellular biology of germline stem cells, he has isolated and characterised several germ cell specific genes, isolated pluripotent germline stem cells from adult testis which has many important aspects both for fundamental research and for clinical applications. Prof. Nayernia was the first scientist worldwide to produce living animals from embryonic stem cell derived male gametes.