Deal with US on stem cell research (Australian Stem Cell Centre)

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THE Australian Stem Cell Centre has struck a deal to collaborate in stem cell research with a United States university.
The centre, a collaboration of Australian universities and research institutions based at Melbourne's Monash University, has teamed with the University of California San Diego (UCSD).

Premier Steve Bracks, who is attending a BIO2006 summit, announced the partnership in Chicago early today.
"This historic initiative will cement Victoria as a global leader in stem cell research," he said. "The memorandum of understanding between UCSD and Australian Stem Cell Centre ... will result in two of the world's leading centres working together on future projects and discoveries."

Stem cell research is currently exploring ways of getting certain types of cells to develop into various body tissues.
Scientists involved in the research have touted it as the new frontier in medicine.

Mr Bracks said the Victorian Government had also committed $3 million towards a project to sequence the DNA of
soil. "Soil is at the heart of any community's wealth, well being and food production yet we know very little about it," he said.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,18792460-1702,00.html