NEW YORK, NY March 10, 2009 —Local researchers say they’re optimistic that the reversal of Bush-era restrictions will lead to more funding for embryonic stem cell studies.

NYU’s Dr. David Levy has been investigating the basic mechanisms that let stem cells divide into various kinds of cells. His federal funding hasn’t been restricted, because he studies mice, but his colleagues have been limited in how they can apply to humans what he’s found out about embryonic stem cell genetics.

LEVY: We can analyze that very well in the mouse but we’d like to know where similar experiments [are] done in a human systems, how they would correspond.

REPORTER: Levy is among several local scientists who say they’re expecting dramatically increased funding for embryonic stem cell research. President Obama announced that the number of cell lines permitted for research will no longer be limited, as was the policy under President Bush.