The JAX-NYSCF Collaborative
Biomedical discovery is moving faster than ever. Yet, progress against complex disease is limited by an age-old challenge: How do we turn discoveries into insights that are reliable, reproducible, and truly relevant to human biology? Too often, translation science remains slow, costly, and uncertain.
The next era of biomedical progress won't be defined by any single model, organism, or technology. It will be defined by how effectively insights can be tested, validated, and refined across complementary scientific systems — making connections that accelerate discovery and deliver impact where it matters most.
Launched in 2025, the JAX-NYSCF Collaborative brings together The Jackson Laboratory (JAX) and the New York Stem Cell Foundation (NYSCF) in a new partnership designed to move discovery from insight to impact. By integrating human cellular models, genetics, and computational approaches, the collaboration integrates complementary capabilities for meaningful scientific progress.
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Strengthening the systems that make discovery possible
By bringing together complementary expertise in genetics, human cellular science, and data-driven discovery, the JAX-NYSCF Collaborative is strengthening the scientific systems needed to support more consistent and dependable research outcomes.
This work is not focused on launching a standalone program or advancing isolated initiatives. It's about building an integrated platform that supports discovery itself.
JAX and NYSCF: Uniting two complementary institutions
For nearly a century, JAX has driven biomedical discovery through leadership in genetics, genomics, and biological modeling. Beyond its widely recognized mouse models, JAX's broader contribution is its ability to integrate genetic insight, biological experimentation, and data science to answer complex questions about disease.
Across cancer, neurological conditions, metabolic diseases, and rare genetic disorders, JAX has enabled research far beyond its own laboratories. Its role has consistently been to make all science better by developing, integrating, and sharing the models, data, and analytical frameworks researchers rely on.
Founded in 2005, NYSCF began with a bold mission: Harness the power of stem cell research to accelerate the development of cures. In the twenty years that followed, NYSCF has advanced research grounded in human biology. Through sustained investment in stem cell science, automation, and scalable human cellular systems, NYSCF has built helped build platforms that allow scientists to study disease in human-relevant contexts at greater scales and consistency.
Beyond individual programs, NYSCF has focused on creating shared infrastructure that supports discovery across institutions, research questions, and disease areas. In parallel, NYSCF's scientists have conducted pioneering research in stem cell biology and disease modeling and continues to contribute that expertise directly within the JAX-NYSCF Collaborative.
Together, JAX and NYSCF are positioned to redefine what's possible in biomedical research.
Individually, these capabilities are powerful. Integrated, they create a more predictive and resilient foundation for research.
The power of three: An integrated approach to discovery
The JAX-NYSCF Collaborative connects three essential elements of modern biomedical research.
Cells
Human cellular systems that offer direct relevance to human biology
Data
Data science that links observations across systems and enables learning at scale
Mice
Genetic and in vivo models that provide control, scale, and mechanistic insight
This integrated approach is what makes the collaboration distinct.
Rather than moving sequentially from one model to the next, hypotheses can be tested and refined across systems in parallel. This improves confidence in results, reduces translational uncertainty, and accelerates learning.
Importantly, this work is grounded in active scientific programs, not abstract aspiration. The collaboration is designed to evolve as research matures and new opportunities emerge.
The role of philanthropy and partnership
Progress at this level depends not only on scientific excellence, but on early commitment and shared risk.
Many of the most important advances in biomedical research are enabled before outcomes are certain and before traditional funding mechanisms are ready to engage. Philanthropy plays a distinct role by supporting innovation, integration, and platform development at a stage when uncertainty remains high, but long-term impact can be significant.
The JAX-NYSCF Collaborative operates intentionally in this critical innovation space. Philanthropic support helps strengthen the systems that enable discovery, rather than funding isolated efforts in parallel.
As programs mature and pathways become clearer, industry and strategic partnerships typically follow. In this way, philanthropy and partnerships work together to drive the engine of scientific discovery.
A growing scientific and philanthropic community
The collaboration brings together a community with a shared commitment to improving how biomedical research moves from discovery to human health impact.
- Scientists exploring how integrated systems can strengthen their work
- Institutions connecting complementary strengths and shared priorities
- Donors supporting platforms that endure and scale
- Strategic partners collaborating to reduce risk and advance translation responsibly
Building on NYSCF's New York foundation
At state-of-the-art laboratories in Manhattan, NYSCF scientists have pioneered some of the first patient-specific stem cell lines, developed robotic platforms that enable stem cell production at scale, and modeled diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, and rare genetic conditions. New York City has long been central to NYSCF's scientific work and research community, and that's not going to change.
The JAX-NYSCF Collaborative represents a continued investment of this work in New York City.
It connects the collaborative's integrated scientific platform to New York: One of the world's most concentrated ecosystems of biomedical research, clinical expertise, and philanthropic leadership. Engagement is selective and science-led, emphasizing readiness, shared interest, and long-term collaboration rather than broad promotion.
Ways to engage over time
This collaboration is evolving.
As scientific programs advance and integration deepens, new opportunities to engage, collaborate, and contribute will emerge. Participation may take the form of scientific dialogue, institutional partnership, philanthropic support, or longer-term strategic collaboration.
Those who share an interest in strengthening the foundations of biomedical discovery and advancing human health are encouraged to learn more, stay connected, and explore how their expertise, perspective, or support may contribute over time.