News and Events
Saying Yes to Medical Science
The first year of the Taubman Institute ended with a flurry of activity. Much of it revolved around the burgeoning field of embryonic stem cell research, and the promise it holds for providing new treatments and cures for a wide variety of diseases.
In October, the Institute held its first Symposium and Advisory Board meeting, at which time its founder and chair, A. Alfred Taubman, gave it a very generous birthday gift: $22 million.
Proposal 2 Opens the Door to Cures
Dr. Feldman discusses Stem Cell Research with TV Channel 4
On November 4, Michigan voters approved a state constitution amendment lifting many of the restrictions on embryonic stem cell research. It was a major step forward for doctors and researchers. It allows Michigan to join the other 45 states that allow this exciting, new field of medical inquiry.
In the run-up to the election, the Taubman Institute joined many others at the University of Michigan in an effort to educate the public about stem cell research, so that voters could make an informed decision on this crucial issue. Full Article
The Promise of Stem Cells
Images from the Taubman Institute Symposium
The Taubman Institute devoted its first annual Symposium on October 7 to the subject of embryonic stem cell research. The theme was “New Frontiers in Stem Cell Therapies,” and a near-capacity crowd turned out to hear keynote speaker James F. Battey, Jr., M.D., Ph.D, vice chair of the NIH Stem Cell Task Force, talk about both the challenges ahead as this new technology becomes incorporated into research experiments and clinical trials and the great opportunities it provides for medical discovery. In addition, three Taubman Scholars shared the progress they are making in stem cell research with the aid of Institute funding. Full Article
In between speakers, members of the audience could view a Poster Session, in the halls of the Biomedical Science Research Building, in which nearly 30 entrants demonstrated some of the best stem cell research being performed by U-M scientists. The winners, among other prizes, will get to explain their findings over lunch to Alfred Taubman. View video of Taubman Symposium
Advisory Board Holds First Meeting
Advisory Board members (Robert Taubman, Bill Parfet) discuss a poster.
The Taubman Institute’s Advisory Board met for the first time on October 7. Comprised of leaders from business, science and the community, its responsibilities include nurturing the mission of the organization, monitorings its progress and charting its future.
The members heard from Robert P. Kelch, M.D., U-M’s executive vice president for medical affairs, as he shared his vision for the Hospital System. Taubman Scholars updated them on their latest research. And the Advisory Board discussed the Institute’s programs, including the new Taubman Institute-Israel Initiative, which seeks to build collaborations between U-M medical scientists and their colleagues in Israel.
They also considered the idea of establishing Junior Scholar grants for up-and-coming U-M scientists who show great promise.
22 Million Dollar Birthday Present
To cap off the first year of the Institute, founder Alfred Taubman announced that he was bequeathing an additional $22 million in funding to further its quest for medical discovery. It will be added to a similar figure donated last year to establish the endowment.
It brings Taubman’s total gifts to the University of Michigan to more than $80 million. That speaks volumes to his commitment to the University, medical research and the people of this state. Full Article.
