E Albert Reece, MD, PhD, MBA Vice President for Medical Affairs, University of Maryland John Z. and Akiko K. Bowers Distinguished Professor and Dean, School of Medicine

On March 9, 2009, President Barack Obama signed an executive order rolling back the previous administration’s restrictions on federal funding for human embryonic stem cell (HESC) research. Although lifting the ban on federal support for HESC research is only a symbolic first step, it was seen by many as a monumental milestone because the field has become largely stagnant as a result of the ban.

Now that researchers can pursue studies of HESCs without fear of losing their federal funding if they do, it will likely deepen our understanding of cell differentiation, human development, and birth defects. It also is believed that lifting the federal ban will induce more skilled investigators to enter the field. Indeed, the federal ban made it extremely difficult to attract young or new researchers to stem cell research, while prompting many established investigators to look elsewhere to conduct their research. A survey conducted by researchers at Princeton University in 2006 found that senior stem cell researchers were more than five times more likely than senior scientists in other biomedical fields to receive at least one international job offer. An estimated 12 percent were even seriously considering leaving the country to pursue their research as a result of the federal ban!

Anticipating this change in federal policy toward HESC research, the University of Maryland School of Medicine has moved aggressively in recent months to position itself to take a leadership role in this arena. Late last year, we recruited Curt I. Civin, MD, to join the medical school. Dr. Civin, a pioneer in cancer research and stem cell biology, is known for developing a way to isolate stem cells from other blood cells. He comes to us from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. To solidify this leadership position, we established the new center for stem cell biology and regenerative medicine, headed by Dr. Civin.

With the recruitment of Dr. Civin, who brought his entire research team and more than $21 million in extramural research funding with him, we are now poised, along with Johns Hopkins University, to bring the state of Maryland to the forefront of research into stem cells and regenerative medicine. Our governor, Martin O’Malley, deserves significant credit for putting us in such a prominent position. He made an early commitment to provide state funding for stem cell research and has increased funding this year despite the dismal fiscal climate.

In recognition of our growing expertise and leadership in stem cell research, the University of Maryland will co-host the World Stem Cell Summit in Baltimore next fall in conjunction with the Johns Hopkins University. To maximize the potential of stem cell research, the 2009 World Stem Cell Summit will address the field’s most pressing needs including: progressive research strategies, translational and preclinical findings, cross disciplinary initiatives, drug discovery, funding opportunities (federal, public, and private), commercialization plans, technology transfer platforms, venture capital insights, market trends, regulatory issues, and ethical and societal implications. It also will tackle such diverse topics as philanthropic opportunities, medical tourism challenges, cell-banking projects, intellectual property landscapes, insurance questions, international perspectives, clinical applications, and the 2009–10 advocacy agenda.

The new administration’s reversal of the previous ban on federal funding for HESC research is a good sign. It means that stem cell researchers can now move forward and make new plans for how to do that. However, an executive order alone will not be enough. To mature, this field needs a coordinated effort between federal, state, and private funders to map out priorities and to ensure that all high priority projects are funded. The World Stem Cell Summit here in Baltimore this fall, with our medical school in a significant leadership role, will play a major part in bringing about a coordinated focus and agenda to the field.