BioTime and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Embryome Sciences, have launched the International Embryome Initiative, an international collaboration with scientists around the world. The goal is to create the first systematic map of all the cell types derived from human embryonic stem cells. The company also set up a new website, www.embryome.com, that includes a novel database to help facilitate the creation of the map.
During this week's GEN podcast, Dr. Michael West talks about why there is a need right now for such an initiative, the new website, and the database. Embryome.com launched with a murine database and Dr. West reveals the company's plans for having a human database online later this year.
Dr. West also discusses which steps have been taken to ensure that the site's content is valid, accurate, and up-to-date, and points out how both academic and industry scientists will benefit from the database.