Objective
To use the potential of embryonic and adult stem cells for the treatment and study of monogenic diseases.

Means
Nine operational teams :
> Biological research
* Neurodegenerative diseases (Huntington disease)
* Neuromuscular diseases (Steinert myotony)
* Motoneuron diseases (functional disorders in Steinert myotony)
* Duchenne myopathy (cardiac insufficiency linked to Duchenne myopathy)
* Cardiomyopathy (ischemic and genetic cardiac pathologies)
* Genodermatoses (Clouston disease)
> Technological Research and Development
* Cell factory
* Functional genomics
* High Throughput Screening (HTS) platform
I-Stem programmes are evaluated annually according to the following procedures: submission of reports, evaluation and follow-up committees, hearings, with financing decisions being taken by the board of governors of the AFM after consultation with the permanent committee of the Scientific Council.

Highlights of 2007
* Creation of the joint Inserm-University of Evry-Val-d’Essonne unit (January)
* Publication of the first results demonstrating the capacity of embryonic stem cells to differentiate themselves into cardiac cells in the defective hearts of rats (Stem Cells, June 2007)
* Registration of two patents
* Inauguration by Valérie Pécresse, Minister of Research and Higher Education (September)
Key figures 2007
1 600 square metres of laboratories
67 technicians, engineers, researchers and administrative personnel.

Financing 2007
2.7 million euros

Partners
Inserm, University of Evry-Val-d’Essonne, Génopole, Généthon, University Hospitals of Strasbourg, Edinburgh and Creteil, and industrial companies (Vivalis and Celogos).