Details of the national stem-cell bank that will provide scientists with standardised cell lines were announced on Wednesday.
The facility will be hosted by the National Institute for Biological Standards and Control at Potters Bar, Hertfordshire. The £2.6 million cost will be shared by the Medical Research Council and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council.
The bank will hold adult, foetal and embryonic stem-cell lines. Its creation will provide a significant boost to the UK's bid to lead the burgeoning field.
The members of a committee to oversee the bank's activities will be announced soon.