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Our Goals

  1. Focus on activities that advance adult, cord blood and related stem cell and non-embryonic stem cell research and therapies for patient treatment.
  2. Serve as a core facility to produce clinical-grade stem cells from adult tissues, cord blood and related materials for use in clinical trials and therapies.
  3. Facilitate the delivery of adult, cord blood and related stem cell therapies to Kansas City and Midwest region hospitals where appropriate.
  4. Partner and collaborate with the blood and marrow transplant center of Kansas to foster a regional network of physicians trained in adult, cord blood and related stem cell therapy applications.
  5. Create and maintain a database resource for physicians and patients that provides a comprehensive global list of available stem cell clinical trials and therapies.
  6. Initiate clinical trials with adult, cord blood and related stem cells.
  7. Create education modules to train and educate physicians and research scientists about peer-reviewed adult, cord blood and related stem cell therapy applications for patients.
  8. Distribute information to Kansas physicians about methods for successful treatments with adult, cord blood and related stem cells through basic and clinical research.
  9. Inform the public on available adult, cord blood and related stem cell therapeutic options.
  10. Become the leader in providing adult stem cell treatments and information to physicians and patients around the world.

History and Background

In July 2013, the Midwest Stem Cell Therapy Center (MSCTC) was created by Kansas Legislature to facilitate existing research and therapy on a global level and establish a frontier for other research and therapies for patients suffering from diseases.

The law creating the center took effect on July 1, 2013. KU Medical Center Executive Vice Chancellor Douglas Girod, M.D. appointed Buddhadeb Dawn, M.D., to serve as the center's executive director. Funded initially through state appropriation, the center also operates off the generosity of donors through the University of Kansas Endowment Association. The 15-member advisory board is composed of members appointed by the governor, the House, Senate, Board of Regents and several other stakeholder entities.

Adult stem cell treatments have been used clinically to successfully treat leukemia and related bone/blood cancers using bone marrow transplantation. KU Medical Center has been involved in research using the solid part of the umbilical cord (Wharton's jelly).

In addition to KU Medical Center, other institutions around the state and in the region have also established adult stem cell research projects. With the MSCTC goal of providing adult stem cell therapy to Kansas and the surrounding region and establishing its FDA registered GMP facility, the Center acts as a hub to facilitate a systematic mechanism for the translation of basic stem cell research into clinical applications. The MSCTC is also working to educate the public and medical professionals about adult stem cell therapeutic options, currently available or in development, that could benefit patients in need.

In addition to bone marrow transplantation, additional therapies with adult stem cells - including organ repair - have been the focus of intense attention in the scientific community in recent years.

As adult stem cell therapy is becoming more effective, many patients will benefit. Kansas is well-positioned to contribute to this burgeoning new field of medicine. The state has the opportunity to focus on the development of specific areas of adult stem cell research and patient treatment, with the potential to become a world leader in patient therapies for specific diseases or conditions.

Aerial view of KU Medical Center Campus

Midwest Stem Cell Therapy Center

University of Kansas Medical Center
Midwest Stem Cell Therapy Center
Mail Stop: 1075
3901 Rainbow Boulevard
Kansas City, KS 66160
913-945-6290