Director's Note

Welcome to the new website for the Columbia Stem Cell Initiative (CSCI), which coincides with a new effort to structure stem cell research at Columbia and to enhance its visibility. To those outside the university, we hope that the site conveys our excitement about the wealth of stem cell research being carried out and about the possibilities for the immediate future. Internally, it is designed to act as a vector for collaboration and exchange of information. This version is a work in progress and we welcome any feedback that can help us improve it. Columbia scientists and clinicians, in particular, should not hesitate to contact Dola Sengupta (ds2865@columbia.edu) or myself to update their profile, modify their affiliation to a specific theme, or upgrade their membership status. Thanks to all – and in particular to Michael Shen and Richard Backer – for the collective effort that led to this first version.