The National Center for Regenerative Medicine (NCRM) builds upon leading research and clinical programs at its founding institutions—Case Western Reserve University (CWRU), Cleveland Clinic (CC), and University Hospitals Case Medical Center (UHCMC)—in heart disease, cancer, genetic disorders, wound healing, and immunological, musculoskeletal, and neurodegenerative diseases. The combination of a 26-year history of research on adult and pluripotent stem cells, outstanding clinical and research programs, and tested and proven experience of using adult stem cell transplantation to treat patients makes this Center unique in the United States.

Regenerative medicine represents a new form of medicine using stem cells and tissue engineered scaffolds to generate new tissue in diseased or damaged organs--rather than using drugs or devices to improve function and quality of life.

The NCRM is made up of two organizations--the Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine (CSCRM) and the Clinical Tissue Engineering Center (CTEC). Through investment by the State of Ohio’s Third Frontier Initiative, $41.5 million in funding has been received since 2003 to commercialize stem cell and tissue engineering therapies. $6.6 million in Federal appropriations has strengthened or created nearly 40 multi-institutional core facilities for Center members to access advanced regenerative medicine equipment and accelerate their research and clinical pursuits.

The broad-based excellence of its partner institutions provides the NCRM a comprehensive approach, including basic and clinical research, biomedical and tissue engineering, and the development and administration of new therapies to patients with cancer as well as cardiovascular, blood, bone, immunological and nervous system diseases. The Center seeks to translate innovative laboratory research into the clinical and commercial arenas to replace and repair diseased tissues and organs. NCRM and its partner institutions and affiliated programs provide educational opportunities that enable nurses, graduate students, and technicians to gain the complex skills required to perform ground-breaking research and deliver optimal patient care in this new field. These efforts help create a well-trained workforce for the Center, for new businesses, and for other institutions.