Established by the Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET), the Oklahoma Center for Adult Stem Cell Research (OCASCR) aims to promote research in adult stem cell biology and regenerative medicine. It focuses on facilitating research that can lead to restoring normal functions of cells, tissues, and organs damaged by disease. OCASCR strives to make Oklahoma a hub for such research, especially targeting smoking- and obesity-related diseases, and serves as a resource for public information on these topics.
The OCASCR Grants Program supports investigators who currently have OCASCR or federal funding for stem cell and/or regenerative medicine research. It provides assistance in obtaining enabling technologies necessary for this research. These technologies may include commercially available animal models, monoclonal antibody preparation, or genetic assays, which are expected to enhance the competitiveness of the researcher's project for subsequent or additional federal funding. The broad goal of this grant program is to advance adult stem cell and regenerative medicine research to combat smoking- and obesity-related diseases in Oklahoma.