CIRM recently awarded $1.5 million to a UCLA project led by Michael Wells, PhD. The team aims to identify genetic and molecular risk factors for viral infections across diverse populations.
They will use a stem cell–based “cell village” platform to study viral susceptibility in 150 donors. These cell villages capture California’s racial and ethnic diversity, enabling broad analysis of genetic variants and cellular traits.
Dr. Wells said personalized medicine must serve everyone. He noted that cell villages could help address health disparities affecting women and ethnic minorities.
This research could reduce health disparities and support antiviral drug development. By studying the biological factors underlying differences in immune response, the project may reveal how to develop more effective treatments.
Rosa Canet‑Avilés said CIRM is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all funded research. She noted that using stem cell lines from many ancestral backgrounds reflects California’s diversity and supports CIRM’s core mission.
Images of cell-villages above were provided by Dr. Michael Wells’ Lab and UCLA.