Although President Barack Obama recently lifted restrictions that previously denied federal funding to medical research institutions studying embryonic stem cells, UF won't be seeing an immediate impact, experts say.
Dennis Steindler, executive director of the university's McKnight Brain Institute, said adult stem cells, which can come from brain, bone marrow and organ tissue, will continue to be the main area of focus for research purposes.
This is because most of the conditions researchers at the McKnight Brain Institute are trying to cure are more prominent in adults, he said.
"We're looking for cures for all the main diseases and injuries," he said. "Pretty much everything is on our radar."
Steindler also pointed out that stem cell research was still an option in the past.
"The previous executive order did not stop stem cell research, it just said embryonic lines starting after 2001 must use private funds," he said.
Even though the McKnight Brain Institute will not experience an immediate impact from the lifted ban, it will still see benefits from Obama's legislation.
"The president's stimulus package has a variety of stem cell initiatives as well," he said, adding he plans to apply for several types of grants.
One particular grant Steindler said he is interested in will provide funding for research involving induced pluripotent stem cells.
"This is an alternative to embryonic stem cells," Steindler said. "We can reprogram adult cells to become embryonic-like."
He said adult stem cell and induced pluripotent stem cell research will be the main focuses of the McKnight Brain Institute for now, but he said he can not predict how Obama's decision will affect UF's research in years to come.
Whether the McKnight Brain Institute chooses to take part in using embryonic stem cells for research, Steindler said he thinks Obama's decision will have a positive impact.
"It will raise attention and hopefully increase funding," he said. "With President Obama's orders, hopefully all types of stem cell research will be supported."
