<p>,,,,,,,,,,,,</p>
<p>Thanx....that was pretty informative. I was looking at Rochester as a low match/safer school.<br>
As for the social science i read this college guide that said that U of R and Johns Hopkins are really good places to study because you get small classes and good proffs.</p>
<p>If Steve Goldman sticks with mouse ESCs, I would have no problem.</p>
<p>Aren't there other ways to harvest stem cells? From skin cells, for instance? Why isn't the research focused there? Everything is slow at first, look at the history of the automobile or the computer, etc. Put first-class researchers to work on bringing the skin stem cells up to the efficacy of the levels of the embryonic stem cells, if there is a difference,and we will all be delighted to see our tax dollars plowed into stem cell research to cure these terrible diseases. </p>
<p>And I have a kid with a condition for whom stem cells may hold some promise, so don't you give me that line about 'if I had a kid'. I do have a kid. I just don't want his life improved by research that used embryonic stem cells.</p>
<p>So we'll just go with the college list we have now, thanks.</p>
<p>There are a lot of researchers who are working currently with stem cells derived from skin or other mature cells (they are called iPs cells), but much work remains to be done to show that they are identical in every way to traditionally-derived embryonic stem cells.</p>
<p>In the meantime, researchers like Steve Goldman are using ES cells -- I believe he uses one of the lines which was in existence in 2001, which was approved by the president for federally-funded research. </p>
<p>Trust me, researchers would rather use iPs cells if it's found that they're identical to ES cells. If there's one thing scientists don't like, it's having trouble with funding because of politically motivated disagreements with our research.</p>
<p>Who's going to college, armchrtravlr, you or your D?</p>
<p>OP, thanks for this thread; I think my S might like U of R. It's been on my radar screen as a possibility for him when the time comes.</p>
<p>Your welcome owlice. You all bring up interesting, as well as important issues. Stem cell research is an argument which will never be resolved. And I didn't know they could derive stem cells from skin! That's absolutely astonishing. Amazes me how complex the body is (reason I like biology/U of R ;) ). You guys should go to youtube.com and search "U of R" and you'll see videos of a group of students at the campus called the Midnight Ramblers. These guys are so cool! I just learned about them a few days ago, and I'm even more excited about having U of R on my list. </p>
<p>P.S. I have pics which I took from my campus tour. Anyone who would like to see them can leave me a PM and I'll be sure to send a few of your liking.</p>
<p>Thanks so much for the post, OP. :)</p>