Bernie Marcus' foundation gives $28.7M for heart-repair stem cell research

The foundation of late Home Depot cofounder Bernie Marcus has committed $28.7 million to stem cell research at the University of Southern California. The research aims to develop treatments for heart damage caused by heart attacks. The funding will support physician-scientist Charles “Chuck” Murry, director of USC’s Stem Cell Center. His team is studying how stem-cell-derived heart muscle cells could help regenerate damaged cardiac tissue. The work is still experimental and is being developed towards clinical trials. It is not yet an established treatment for heart attack patients. The donation also continues Marcus’ long history of supporting medical research, a cause that had a personal connection to him because he had once dreamed of becoming a doctor.Home Depot founder donates $28.7 million to advance stem cell researchThe Marcus Foundation has committed $28.7 million to support Murry’s research into regenerative treatments for damaged hearts. USC says his work focuses on using stem-cell-derived heart muscle cells to repair tissue damaged by heart attacks, while the foundation said the funding will help advance gene-edited cellular therapy towards clinical trials. The gift is t...