Area of investment and support

Regenerative medicine

This area seeks to develop the science and tools that can help repair or replace damaged or diseased human cells or tissues to restore normal function. It could address a number of currently incurable degenerative conditions and help revolutionise treatment in the 21st century.

• Partners involved: Medical Research Council (MRC)

The scope and what we're doing

Regenerative medicine is an interdisciplinary field that seeks to develop the science and tools that can help repair or replace damaged or diseased human cells or tissues to restore normal function. It holds the promise of revolutionising treatment in the 21st century. It may involve:

• transplanting stem cells, progenitor cells or tissue, stimulating the body’s own repair processes
• using cells as delivery vehicles for therapeutic agents such as genes and cytokines
• using biomaterials to support tissue regeneration.

All regenerative medicine strategies depend upon harnessing, stimulating or guiding endogenous developmental or repair processes. Accordingly, stem cell research plays a central role in regenerative medicine, which also spans the disciplines of tissue engineering, developmental cell biology, cellular therapeutics, gene therapy, biomaterials (scaffolds and matrices), chemical biology and nanotechnology.

Research and development on advanced therapeutics including regenerative medicine is a priority for MRC, and we are committed to supporting research in this area, towards improving human health. Projects will be suitable for a number of different funding mechanisms, depending on their stage along the pathway from basic biomedical research to translation.

We also support a range of strategic investments within the broader MRC regenerative medicine research portfolio. This includes research institutes, cross-council research partnerships and critical research facilities and resources that underpin and enable community ambitions.

Find out about the institutes, units and centres we fund.

The network of Innovation Hubs for Gene Therapies is a £18 million initiative designed to accelerate academic-led development of novel gene therapies throughout the UK. It aims to advance the clinical development of new genetic treatments through the production of GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) viral vectors, alongside translational support and regulatory advice. The network was set up in 2021 with funding from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), the Medical Research Council (MRC) and the independent research charity LifeArc.

Opportunities, support and resources available

Funding routes

We are keen to support high quality research into stem cells and regenerative medicine that:

• improves our understanding of fundamental stem cell biology and regenerative processes
• applies the emerging technologies to improve human health.

Advanced treatments (including cell and gene therapy, regenerative medicine and innovative medicines) is an MRC strategic priority that applies to all funding panels, used to help prioritise applications for funding.

Applicant led

Our applicant led response mode scheme funds science that enhances our knowledge of the biology of health and disease and new approaches to treatment, including fundamental or investigative research, for example hypothesis-led research seeking to:

• understand developmental processes relevant to regeneration
• understand the mechanisms of self-renewal or reprogramming, or understand the factors that drive differentiation of stem or progenitor cells down a particular lineage
• characterise stem cell populations and their niche
• explore the use of stem cells to probe disease mechanisms
• develop tools and technologies, for example, for disease modelling or bioengineering
• undertake early preclinical investigations into potential regenerative therapies, including tissue repair strategies or mechanisms to enhance endogenous repair.

Developmental Pathway Funding Scheme

The MRC Proof of Concept Scheme is a key part of our Translational Research Strategy and supports the translation of fundamental discoveries toward benefits to human health. It funds the pre-clinical development and early clinical testing of novel therapeutics, devices and diagnostics, including repurposing existing therapies.

Training

Regenerative medicine research projects are eligible for all our training investments. More information about training grants is available, specifically for fellowships and studentships.

Resources

UK stem cell line registry

The Steering Committee for the UK Stem Cell Bank and use of Stem Cell Lines publishes the UK stem cell line registry, which identifies all human embryonic stem cell lines approved for use in the UK. We will not support research using human embryonic stem cell lines that the steering committee has not approved.

Read the UK stem cell line registry.

UK Stem Cell Bank

The UK Stem Cell Bank provides ethically-sourced and quality controlled human embryonic stem cell (hESC) lines and other associated materials to researchers worldwide, and aims to facilitate high quality and standardised research in this area. The bank publishes a catalogue of currently available hESC lines.

Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Initiative (HipSci)

The Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Initiative (HipSci) generated a large, high-quality reference panel of genotypically and phenotypically characterised human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC). HipSci cell lines are available through the European Collection of Authenticated Cell Cultures (ECACC)

MRC has issued guiding principles on expectations regarding requests for support for establishing new iPSC resources.

International Stem Cell Banking Initiative

The International Stem Cell Banking Initiative (ISCBI) provides information for scientists interested in developing or using a stem cell bank. The initiative’s aim is to create a global network of stem cell banks through support for existing banks, and by encouraging the development of new banks.

The ISCBI encourages good practice in stem cell banking – scientifically and ethically – and provides information on resources and meetings for those involved in stem cell banking.

MRC-Wellcome Trust human developmental biology resource

The MRC-Wellcome Trust human developmental biology resource is a collection of human embryonic and foetal material available for the international scientific community to research.

NHS Blood and Transplant

The NHS Blood and Transplant special health authority includes:

• the British Bone Marrow Registry (BBMR)
• the NHS Cord Blood Bank to collect, process, store and supply umbilical cord blood
• specialist services providing haematopoietic stem cells (stem cells that can turn into blood cells) for the treatment of blood cancers. These specialist services also provide a national network of goods manufacturing practice facilities with regulatory expertise and small-scale manufacturing capabilities.

Innovate UK Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult

The Innovate UK-funded Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult is an independent centre of excellence, designed to advance the growth of the UK cell and gene therapy industry by bridging the gap between scientific research and full-scale commercialisation. It works with partners in academia and industry to ensure that life-changing therapies can be developed for use in health services throughout the world.

Past projects, outcomes and impact

Past projects

MRC has made awards in regenerative medicine research through our investigator-led funding rounds as well as strategic focused investments. For example, in 2008 we set up a specific regenerative medicine research committee to support the establishment of the UK research community in this novel area.

The UK Regenerative Medicine Platform (UKRMP) was a £42 million cross-council initiative, supported by BBSRC, EPSRC and MRC from 2013 to 2024. Its overall aim was to address the key translational challenges in regenerative medicine and to bring innovative regenerative medicine therapies to the clinic.

The UK regenerative medicine research field has matured significantly, and our applicant led funding opportunities and translational panels are well placed to manage funding requests in this area.

Search for MRC awards, along with those from many other UK funders on Gateway to Research.

Who to contact

To ask a scientific question or to find out which scheme or initiative would be most suitable for your work:

Email: molecularandcellularmedicine@mrc.ukri.org or dpfsanddcs@mrc.ukri.org

Last updated: 9 July 2026