Scientists anticipate July opening of $15 million 'mouse house'

Officially called a vivarium, the $15 million stem cell research center being built on the Irvine campus of the University of California, is affectionately called the "Mouse House."

In spite of its nickname, university officials and UCI researchers said this is no Mickey Mouse operation.

The multi-million dollar building and research project is made possible by a $10 million donation by Newport Beach bond trader Bill Gross and his wife, Sue, and half the center will be underwritten by Proposition 71, a $3 billion ballot initiative for stem cell research passed by California voters in 2004. The vivarium is said to be a key part of the $66 million stem cell research institute that’s scheduled to open on campus in July. The university has asked the federal government to kick in $15 million toward the cost of building the vivarium. 

The institute will conduct research on all types of stem cells, including human embryonic stem cells, and it will carry Gross's name, according to the Orange County Register.

Scientists said a specially controlled facility such as this one is needed to breed rodents for stem cell research. They hope the exacting research they will be performing will soon lead to breakthrough treatments for Alheimer’s and degenerative diseases, as well as spinal cord injuries.

UC Irvine is reputed to be a major player in stem cell research. It’s home to one of the field's best-known scientists, Hans Keirstead, who specializes in spinal cord injuries. He developed a therapy that Geron Corp. is scheduled to test in humans some time after the research center opens.