Upstate Medical University is investigating one of its top researchers who oversees $6.2 million in stem cell research grants. Gerold Feuer, a professor of microbiology and immunology who runs Upstate’s Humanized SCID Mouse Center and Stem Cell Processing Lab, has been placed on administrative leave, pending the outcome of the investigation, Upstate said Friday. Upstate did not provide any...
Gerold FeuerUpstate Medical University is investigating one of its top researchers who oversees $6.2 million in stem cell research grants.
Gerold Feuer, a professor of microbiology and immunology who runs Upstate’s Humanized SCID Mouse Center and Stem Cell Processing Lab, has been placed on administrative leave, pending the outcome of the investigation, Upstate said Friday.
Upstate did not provide any specifics about the investigation, other than to say it is looking into Feuer’s “administrative practices.”
Feuer declined to comment on the matter.
Upstate received two grants totaling $6.2 million last year from the New York Stem Cell Board. At the time the grants were announced, Upstate said the money would significantly raise the stature of its stem cell research program.
The larger of the two grants, $5.13 million, was to pay for renovating, expanding and equipping the SCID Mouse Center and Stem Cell Processing Lab.
SCID (severe combined immune deficient) mice are genetically engineered mice that lack immune systems. Without their own immune systems, the mice can accept transplants of human stem cells that then mature and develop into all components of the human immune system, generating “humanized” SCID mice.
The mice are used for research into human viral infections, cancer and development of drugs and therapies. Stem cell research at Upstate is focused primarily on developing a “humanized” mouse model to study leukemia.
The state also awarded Feuer a grant of $1.07 million for his research into leukemia.
Feuer founded his own company, HuMurine Technologies, in 2008. HuMurine is a contract research company based in LaVerne, Calif. On its website, HuMarine says its mission is to develop a standardized human mouse that can be used by academic and commercial clients.
Feuer is listed as the company’s chairman and chief scientific officer.
James T. Mulder can be reached at 470-2245 or jmulder@syracuse.com.