UNITED STATES

US: Stanford creates stem cell PhD programme
Stanford University's faculty senate has approved the creation of what officials believe is the first stem cell science PhD programme in the nation and, perhaps, the world. The new doctoral programme in stem cell biology and regenerative medicine is also the first interdisciplinary doctoral programme created by the school of medicine in recent years, reports News Medical.School officials say the fact that the university is taking the rare step of creating a new doctoral programme acknowledges the growing importance of stem cell research in the realm of biomedical science. Programme leaders note that Stanford is among a small number of US universities that have the necessary ingredients to create a doctoral programme teaching the full range of stem cell science.
"Stem cell biology is a distinct discipline that requires unique skills and includes a scope of knowledge and a skill set that is not covered by other disciplines," said Renee Reijo Pera, professor of obstetrics and gynaecology and director of the new PhD programme.
Full report on the News Medical site