ABOUT UKNSCN

Mission
Background
Funding
Objectives
Secretariat and Governance
Evaluation and Future Management


Mission The United Kingdom National Stem Cell Network (UKNSCN) was established in July 2006 as an independent national body for the promotion of research across the sub-disciplines of stem cell science and to act as the national focal point for disseminating information about UK stem cell research to overseas researchers, the general public and the media.

Its central mission is to promote and improve the coordination of research activities and events across the sub-disciplines of stem cell science, thereby enhancing basic research and helping to speed its translation into therapeutic applications in the control of degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and diabetes.


Return to top of page




BackgroundIn March 2005, the UK Government’s Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown announced the launch of the UK Stem Cell Initiative (UKSCI) during his pre-budget statement, commissioning Sir John Pattison to prepare a ten-year vision for UK stem cell research by the end of 2005. The UKSCI report (Pattison Report) was published in December 2005 and contained 11 recommendations. The UKNSCN has been established in direct response to Recommendation 10, which stated that “the Government should allocate additional funding to establish the UK Stem Cell Cooperative, to maximise the cross-fertilisation between those involved in the sub-disciplines of UK stem cell research.

”The UK Government accepted all 11 recommendations and presented the UK Research Councils and the Department of Health with the task of delivering them through the Cross-Council Stem Cells Coordination Committee. In response to Recommendation 10, the Research Councils conducted an on-line consultation during April and May 2006 in which they sought the stem cell community’s views on precisely what activities the “Cooperative” should undertake, how it should be operated and by whom. An Open Meeting was held in London on 5 July 2006, chaired by Lord Naren Patel of Dunkeld, at which the Research Councils presented the results of the consultation to delegates from the stem cell community and sought a consensus on the way forward. Delegates agreed upon an interim mode of operation proposed by the Chairman in which the “UK National Stem Cell Network” would be based within the Research Councils for the first two years of its existence and operate under the direction of an expert Steering Committee with an independent Chair. A summary of the outcome of the 5 July Open Meeting is available.

Members of the stem cell community were given the opportunity to nominate individuals for the role of Chair and/or membership of the Steering Committee and the first Steering Committee was appointed by the Cross-Council Stem Cells Coordination Committee in November 2006. A full-time Executive Director was appointed to the secretariat in October 2006 and the Network’s activities officially commenced on 1 December 2006.

In autumn 2008, after two years of operations, the Network's sponsors commissioned an independent review of the Network's achievements and its future direction in which the UK stem cell research community and some stakeholders from overseas were consulted for their views. The review was conducted by People Science and Policy Ltd and their report is available for viewing under the 'Downloads' section of this website. The report made 5 main recommendations which led the sponsors to re-focus the objectives of UKNSCN on networking activities (see below) and revise its management structure. The UKNSCN now operates through an Executive Director who reports to a Management Board and is supported by a new expert Advisory Committee. The Advisory Committee has a significantly expanded membership compared with the original Steering Committee.


Return to top of page




FundingFor the next two financial years, until 31 March 2011, the UKNSCN is funded through contributions from four of the UK's Research Councils totalling £180k per annum. The four contributing Councils are:

Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (£60k per annum)
Medical Research Council (£60k per annum)
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (£30k per annum)
Economic and Social Research Council (£30k per annum)

Prior to this, the same four Councils sponsored the Network for its first two years at a total level of £150k per annum. The Network is expected to acquire additional activities over the next two years with additional associated costs, and is well-positioned through its Management Board to secure further core funding.


Return to top of page



Objectives The UKNSCN's revised objectives for the next two financial years are as follows:

• To coordinate existing activities through the sharing of knowledge
• To facilitate interactions to promote the uptake and use of stem cells by the scientific, business and medical communities
• To act as the national focal point for interaction with overseas researchers seeking collaboration with UK researchers
• To work together with other stakeholders to ensure the effective coordination of national activities in stem cell research and its promotion in the media

These objectives are reflected in the revised UKNSCN Corporate Plan and one-year Delivery Plan (2009/10) which are available under the 'Downloads' section of the website. The UKNSCN does not fund research nor broker exploitation activities, and actively ensures that it does not replicate the activities of the existing regional stem cell networks. It undertakes a range of 'niche' activities at the national level which either cannot be, or currently are not being, delivered by other organisations.