As of 2007, the UMC Utrecht has concerted its research activities in Regenerative Medicine as a dedicated strategic program. We have around 80 researchers whose focus is the regeneration of a variety of tissues, clinical applications for stem cells, as well as preclinical and fundamental research focusing on adult stem cells. This is a unique combination of research activities with UMC Utrecht wide collaborations between the Departments of Pediatrics, Orthopedics, Immunology, Cardiology, Cardiopulmonary Surgery, Nephrology & Hypertension and Metabolic and Endocrine Diseases. This is further closely connected with other research groups within the UMC Utrecht, the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and the Utrecht University research focus area “Growth and Differentiation”
As the average age of the human population steadily rises, we are increasingly burdened by degenerative diseases that are mostly treated by surgery or drugs designed to mitigate symptoms. Given their role in maintaining and replenishing tissues, stem cells represent a potential means of restoring tissue function and thereby treating or even curing the route cause of degenerative diseases. Over the last two decades, biomedical research has provided insights into the elementary building blocks and processes on which life is based. This has led to a considerable increase in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the expansion and differentiation of (stem) cells. In the field of biomaterials, novel immune-privileged materials have been developed that can successfully integrate in the body’s tissues, serve as drug release systems, or support the spatial organization of living cells. Furthermore, advances in imaging techniques have made it possible to study fundamental processes at high resolution within living organisms. Regenerative Medicine is a relatively new field of translational research that brings together fundamental and clinical scientists from these multiple disciplines with the aim of developing novel therapeutic strategies for a wide variety of diseases. The ultimate aim is to mobilize the body to heal itself.