Arthritis Research U.K. and the MS Societyare partnering three research councils in the second stage of a nationwide project, which will see $10 million made available to researchers in stem cell and tissue engineering research.

Regenerative medicine is the process of replacing or regenerating damaged or diseased tissue so normal function can be restored without joint replacement surgery.

The $39 million U.K. Regenerative Medicine Platform (UKRMP) aims to address the challenges associated with translating scientific discoveries into patient benefit in the field of regenerative medicine.

The first stage led to the creation of several interdisciplinary research centers set up to address some of the scientific questions that block new therapies from being translated into new treatments for patients.

Now the research councils are inviting research proposals to establish collaborative research groupings to build on the success of the initial funding and stimulate research with the potential to become new regenerative medicine treatments.

“We hope that by being involved in this initiative, we will stimulate a number of opportunities to bring together leading scientists to tackle the necessary issues to bring these therapies into patients,” said Professor Alan Silman, medical director of Arthritis Research U.K.

Arthritis Research U.K. also has formed a collaboration with a European research body with the Dutch Arthritis Foundation, Rheumafonds. This collaboration follows recognition that there is some overlap between U.K. and Dutch research groups in the field of regenerative medicine and osteoarthritis.

Rheumafonds are now also involved in the UKRMP initiative, and will contribute financially to grant applications that can show added value for English and Dutch researchers working collaboratively.